If you’re looking to improve your health, consider including flaxseed into your diet today. It’s a simple and easy way to boost your nutrition and improve your overall well-being. Flaxseed is a small but mighty seed that has been known for its numerous health benefits for centuries.
Flaxseed is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber, making it an excellent choice for maintaining a healthy heart and brain. Regular consumption of flaxseed can also help with weight management and maintaining healthy hair , skin , bones and joints.
You can easily find flaxseed at your local grocery store, and it’s available in various forms, including whole seeds, ground flaxseed, and flaxseed oil.
So, which flaxseeds should you buy ?
Between the ground flaxseed and whole flaxseeds, you are better off buying whole flax seeds and then grinding them as per your need . Grind them in quantities that you will use up in a week’s time and keep it in an airtight container, away from sunlight and moisture , preferably in a refrigerator.
Whole flax seeds have longer shelf life as the oils inside it are protected by the shell outside and they will not go rancid very fast.
Avoid buying flax seeds that are salted and roasted. This way you will not consume them as a snack like you have sunflower or pumpkin seeds and also not go overboard with salt intake. These seeds are a great source of protein but also rich in calories , so overeating them might actually cause weight gain.
Talking briefly about Flaxseed oils. They have a very low smoking point so they are not suitable for frying or cooking foods in them . But you can use them for dressing salads and for skin care and as a digestive supplement.
One common mistake people make when consuming flaxseed is eating it whole. Flaxseed is small and hard, and that makes it difficult for our bodies to digest properly. The outer skin also contains phytic acid which acts as an antinutrient , which means it will prevent the absorption of good minerals that the seeds contain. Raw flax seeds can pass through your digestive system undigested , so both roasting and grinding it is necessary to absorb its most valuable compound , Omega 3 fatty acid or alpha linolenic acid ( ALA ).
Here are the four ways in which you can consume flaxseeds. The fifth one will be a seasoning blend recipe which you are going to love.
- Soak a teaspoon of flaxseeds in water for a couple of hours. The seeds will be softer to chew and this is great for those who take flax seeds before bed time for problems like constipation. If you do not have time to soak then boil a teaspoon of flaxseed in a cup of boiling water and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- One more very common way is to dry roast the seeds. These dry roasted seeds are easier to chew and they also become more flavorful. Once you have roasted the seeds, you can also grind them into a fine powder and use them in several ways.Whole flaxseeds can also be a challenging food for those with dentures and other dental conditions, so this is where ground flaxseeds are more helpful . These roasted flaxseeds are a versatile ingredient that can easily compliment your diet. You can add it to smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or even use it as a substitute for eggs in your baking recipes. One portion of flaxseed with 3 portions of water replaces one egg.
- Flaxseeds can also be sprouted and small quantities of it can also be added to your salads.
- If weight loss is your goal then add a teaspoon of ground flaxseeds to a cup of warm water along with some fresh lemon juice and have it once between your large meals. This will prevent you from binging on snacks and thus reduce your overall calorie intake.
We gave a great recipe of gluten-free sorghum flaxseed flatberad, which also shows how you can easily add flaxseeds in anything you make.
Generally 1 to 2 tablespoons of flax seeds are considered to be safe for everyone if one does not have known allergies and if they do not overdose on them.If flax seeds are taken in large doses it may cause indigestion and the high fiber content may make constipation worse. High doses of flaxseeds may also interfere with other medications such as blood thinners and may make other estrogen-containing drugs less effective.It may not be helpful for those with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer. If you have any concerns about adding flaxseeds to your diet, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider especially if you are having certain medical conditions or if you are going to have a surgery.
How to make a seasoning bland with flax seeds – the BEST way to have flaxseeds
This is a seed based seasoning very similar to Zaatar.
To make this seasoning mix, we’ll need:
- 1/2 cup of unshelled white sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup of raw flax seeds
- 1/4 cup sumac
- 1 tablespoon of red chili flakes or two whole dry red chillies
- ¼ cup of cumin seeds
- ¼ cup of thyme
- and Salt to taste
When you choose sesame seeds for seasonings, use the unhulled seeds. The maximum calcium is in the hull and it is also a rich source of fiber.
To make this seasoning we will first roast all the seeds.
I will begin with the sesame seeds first. They take the least amount of time. When you roast sesame seeds, as soon as you hear the pop and crackle, remove them from the heat and keep them separate from other ingredients, I will tell you later why. You are not browning the seeds, you are just roasting them until the aroma comes out.
Once the sesame seeds are done ,toast the cumin seeds. The moment you get the light aroma , remove it from the heat and place it on a plate to cool down.
Now we will toast the flaxseeds – it can take about 5 to 6 minutes, make sure you remember to stir occasionally. When the flaxseeds are done, remove them from the pot and allow it to cool down beside the cumin seeds.
Always grind spices and seeds when they are cool; they will then not form big lumps when you grind them. Most blenders are also made of plastic and even though they are food safe , it is not recommended to blend hot ingredients in them.
Finally I am going to roast some chilis. Don’t dry roast them else you will cough until eternity, so smear some oil on it first and lightly roast them on a low flame. Be careful not to burn them. It will begin to swell a little and you will feel the light pungent aroma, so that is when you stop.
The chili you choose will depend on how spicy you want this seasoning to be. Anything from Aleppo chili to Kashmiri chili or even h\Hungarian smoked paprika would work perfectly. If you are using powdered chili , it is perfectly fine but do not roast the powder.
Now take a blender , add the chili , sumac , flaxseeds, cumin seeds, salt and thyme and blend it into a nice fine powder.
Finally add the sesame seeds and give it one or two pulses. This way the sesame seeds will still be visible and will add a nice texture to the seasoning mix.
Taste it and see if you need to add more salt or sumac or thyme.
Store this seasoning blend in an airtight container away from sunlight and moisture and always use a dry spoon when you are using it. This seasoning should be made to last for up to 10 days else the ground flaxseeds will begin to oxidize.
Since this blend is very similar to the spice blend za’atar and can be used in the same ways. You can add this blend to anything except your ice cream. There is a link to the video in the description of this video , where I have shown how you use Za’atar.
Add them to your salads, hummus ,toasted breads , and cooked grains. Make your steamed and stir fried vegetables, roasted meat and steamed fish more exciting with this seasoning. So this way you are able to have sesame seeds and flaxseeds in almost all your meals with small sprinklings of seasoning.
Almost every ingredient in this blend is rich in antioxidants and helps in better digestion and nutrient absorption.
And it is quite addictive so yes don’t forget to have it in moderation please.
