D and I recently purchased a box of milled flax seed so that we could add extra nutrients to the things we eat. (We just put the flax seed in a salt shaker we had sitting around unused.) In addition to adding a sprinkle of flax seed to things such as oatmeal and smoothies, it can also be used as a fat substitute. In general, 3 T of milled flax seed can replace 1 T of fat or oil. In addition, 1 T of flax seed plus 3 T of water can replace an egg. So there are all kinds of uses for this nutrient-rich seed! As to nutrition facts, for this product, one serving (2 T) has 60 calories and 5 grams of fat (all unsaturated). It also packs in 4 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. So what exactly is so great about flax seed?- It is the largest non-animal source of Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential for good health, but aren't made naturally by the body. They play an important role in brain function and also are important for eye, hair, skin, heart, nerve, and joint health.
- According to the University of Maryland Health Center, research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids "reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis."
I have been taking an organic flaxseed oil (1000 mg) supplement for awhile now. This supplement contains 450 mg of omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid), 110 mg of omega-6 (linoleic acid), 110 mg of omega-9 (oleic acid), and 50 mg of "other fatty acids." If you are not averse to animal products, you could opt to take a fish oil supplement, which provides much of the same nutrients. And if you wish to get your omega-3 fatty acids in whole food form, both salmon and tuna are excellent options.
No comments:
Post a Comment