Question on flaxseed.

JodieDownUnder

I've been consuming ground flaxseed for months now believing it was awesome for my diet in regards to fibre and gut health. Usually 2 heaped tablespoons on my breakfast daily. Talking to a friend yesterday who believes that ground flaxseed loses its special properties if you buy it already ground! Instead I should be grinding it as I use it. Who has time for that and is this info true ?

Buy the way, my gut loves this stuff, I'm more regular than I've ever been and I have no need to fight over toilet paper! Sorry if thats a little personal. Maybe I just answered my own question ! lol

silvertipgrizz

@jodienancarrow It is true that within a very short time frame once it is ground it starts degrading and the stuff in the stores that is ground is already rancid...even if it does not stink and what I bought ground before I knew not to, it did not stink but it has already lost it's goodness and of course they keep selling it that way none the less...

Get the whole unground flax and grind it yourself just as you are going to use it. It is quite good for our bodies when it is freshly ground and consumed.

seeker.nancy - Central Texas

I keep the whole seeds in the freezer and only grind about a cup at a time. This fills a pint jar and I keep that in the refrigerator.

judsoncarroll4

I think it is better to grind your own, fresh. Some times tiny seeds can irritate the bowl if not very thoroughly chewed or ground. A little electric coffee grinder works well for seeds and spices.

tomandcara

@jodienancarrow You already know that you are benefiting from the store bought pre-ground flax seeds and that is better than not having the product at all. Sometimes the extra steps of grinding your own can lead to not doing it at all. I do something similar to @seeker.nancy but I grind a quart jars worth at a time and keep that in the fridge. I realize it is not as good as grinding fresh every day, but I know it is better than no flax seeds at all. I grind a quart jars worth about every 2 weeks.

silvertipgrizz

Here is a very good resource for Flax for you, and I posted this as a new discussion as well in hopes it could be noticed by all:

https://flaxcouncil.ca/resources/nutrition/general-nutrition-information/flax-in-a-vegetarian-diet/forms-of-flax/flax-meal/

It explains why it is best not to grind until you are ready to use and it addresses the proper storage after it is ground.

Torey

@jodienancarrow Grinding your own flaxseed is pretty easy. I use a small smoothie blender that works very well and grind it fresh whenever I need it. Keeping the raw seed in the freezer is a good idea.

Rosalee de la Foret's new book, Wild REmedies, has an awesome recipe for High Fibre Blackberry Muffins with ground flax and chia seeds. I have made these several times (one of the recipes I got to be a tester for) and they are soooo good! I have used other fruit in them besides the blackberries. .

JodieDownUnder

@torey my copy of Wild Remedies just arrived yesterday, thanks for the tip re muffin recipe.

JodieDownUnder

Hey thanks to everyone for the tips, much appreciated. I will have a crack at grinding my own in future.

@silvertipgrizz very grateful for you posting the extra info on flaxseed, thankyou.

silvertipgrizz

@jodienancarrow I learned this the hard way. About 10 years ago I was buying it from of all places a health food store, pre ground. When I got home, since this was my first discovery of this wonderful seed, I started doing my reseqarch and it was targeting scientiic papers as well as other health food specialists and companies. The very first thing I saw was the importance of grinding it fresh as you use it due to the oxidaiton of the oil as soon as it is exposed via the grinding... I was quite upset that the health food store I bought the junk from was even selling it in the pre ground form. Also, the whold seed goes right through the body without any of its goodness imparted there of. The whole reason I spend the amount of time researching that I do is because I hate being misled intentionally or plain old apathy. And because the thing in life that gives me the greatest joy is in helping people every chance I get. So I did not wnat to be over bearing in repetition, I just wanted you to get the best from your product for your health that you can, and that I want for myself and everyone. The time for deception in our country and world must stop and to make that happen for our fellow human beings via truth and empathy and love is the straight path to that....ie, you are very welcome.

OH, I just got my copy of wild remedies a couple days ago too and it is a very exciting book with gorgeous pictures and tons of info.

Be sure and go to their website and show that you got the book for the awesome things that gives to you including their facebook page and lessons..for which I have sadly not had time to start...

soeasytocraft

@torey I too am loving my Wild Remedies book! It's been so much fun getting the fun bonuses! Highly recommend it! Thanks for the thumbs up for the muffin recipe from the book. Have to go shopping for to bran!

@jodienancarrow Grinding the flax seed every morning becomes routine and really takes me no time at all. Once I got everything at my fingertips to grab with my eyes half open. 😉

maimover

Flax is fabulous and with this recent pandemic and Unstocked grocery shelves (no eggs) I just Learned to use a tablespoon of flax n three tablespoons of water to make an egg; even more amazing use of the stuff...

Linda Bittle

I find that my hair is much nicer when I remember to add some flax seed to my yogurt. I also agree that it's better to grind your own, but if that doesn't work for you, to use the pre-ground. It might not be ideal, but I think it is better than not using it at all. Here in my little Idaho town, I can get Bob's Red Mill, already ground, but can't get the whole seed without ordering it.

seeker.nancy - Central Texas

@maimover I've used the "flax egg" in baking and it works well. One thing I have discovered is that it can lead to a bit of gummy-ness in some recipes, like banana bread. I think it has to do with the banana or whatever having the texture in baked goods that it does. What I found that works well in those things is to add the ground flax to the dry ingredients, and not adding the extra water. It still works well as far as texture and additional "lift".