Flax

[Elsie150]

I have added Flax seed to my diet for the fiber(hasn't really worked yet). I had been adding no more than 1 T a day to my salad. Today I ground it up and made an oatmeal out of it with added cream, water, splenda and cinnamon. Let me say that this is definately a required taste. The texture was....well...slimey. I had to add another teaspoon of Splenda to get this down. I do drink a lot of water during my day...minimum 12 cups sometimes as much as 18 cups.

Here are my questions. Since I am eating this for the fiber is it better to eat it whole or ground up? Is there a better recipe than the mock oatmeal for flax? Or should I stick to putting it on my salad. Does it make any difference to the fiber count if it is ground up instead of whole or heated instead of room temp. Is there a better alternative than flax?

Thank you!!

[Barbde]

Re: Flax

How about trying flax seed oil capsules if you can't stomach it otherwise. Seems to work for me?

[cleochatra]

Re: Flax

I make a flax cracker from the STAC forum recipe.

3 Tbsp flax meal
3 Tbsp water

Mix together. Spread out with a fork onto a piece of parchment paper until it is thin enough to be a cracker. Microwave for 2.5 minutes.

I guarantee you it would unstop the Jolly Green Giant and it is not slimey. It's crunchy and delicious, like a Wasa crispbread, but for fewer carbs! It is nummy!

Trust me on this one!

[Elsie150]

Re: Flax

Thanks Barb. How many do you take a day?

Cleo, my friend, I will try this as I bought a huge bag of flax seed. I can eat the whole thing? That is not too much in one day? One a day right as it is almost 180 cal a cracker? Thanks!

[mirna05]

Re: Flax

Try the flax bread, it is the same count of fiber grounded or not, it is better if grounded. Try to add vegetables with more fiber to your diet, like broccoli.

Flax seed only worked for me taking two teaspoons after each meal with water. Is more than recomended but that was the only way it worked.

[Elsie150]

Re: Flax

Cleo...oops...that would be less as it is 3 T flax MEAL..not flax SEED. Sorry about that!

[Elsie150]

Re: Flax

Thanks Mirna...do you have the recipe. I did a search for flax & bread and it has 217 hits. Bread got me 500 hits. I do eat my salads and vegies. Broccoli and Cauliflower are my main vegies. And I am not eating a lot of cheese either. Grounded is better for you because it accesses the oil better??

[cleochatra]

Re: Flax

I should have written Tablespoons of meal for clarity! *lol* Sorry. We want you regular...not floating down the Thames.

[Elsie150]

Re: Flax

Wasn't your fault Cleo..you said 3 T flax meal. Nothing confusing about that. It was me. My brain is getting tired...LOL!

[Moochiecat]

Re: Flax

I make this:
http://users3.ev1.net/~fontlady/2_carb_burger_bun.html

I make it in a small plastic tupperware bowl, and slice it into three slices. It's not bread as we know bread, but you can add parmesan and italian spices to it and eat it with mayo and a slice of tomato, or do whatever strikes your fancy. I don't mind it as is. I'm weird that way..lol
1/4 of a cup of flax is too much for one serving, so by slicing it I get two to three days worth out of it. It makes a good sandwich, and I like a slice with my fried eggs in the morning.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Flax

Hi Elsie

I make Ellizen's flax bread and it is delicious. So much so that I doubt I would ever have regular bread again - even on maintenance. It is so easy - make it in the microwave in a few minutes. I posted the recipe again in STAC a week or two ago - if you can't find it, let me know and I'll post it here for you.

I have half a loaf (two small slices) a day and it does the trick for me!

x

[Zarabelle]

Re: Flax

I meant to say that I totally agree re: Flaxomeal breakfast. I had one teaspoon of the slime and had to chuck the rest away

Definitely an acquired taste!

[Elsie150]

Re: Flax

Moochiecat..thanks for the recipe I will try that too!

Zarabelle...I will try to find it in the STAC..thanks!!

[Elsie150]

Re: Flax

Found it...

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...3&page=1&pp=10

Click on the link for more great ideas for this bread. I will post the recipe here. Thanks!!

Elizellen's flax bread

Microwaved Flax Bread
Serves 2 - 8 slice loaf
285.5 cals per half loaf
prep time: 4.5 mins max

Ingredients
25g (1 oz) butter
2 medium eggs (large also OK - added by Zarabelle!)
4 Tbls water
4 heaped tbsp ground flax
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Melt butter and add eggs and water, mix.
Add ground flax and baking powder and mix until smooth(ish)
Leave a minute or two to thicken up then put in to microwaveable container about 5" x 4" and nuke for 3 minutes
Turn out and cool
Makes a dense loaf, quite spongy but less so when it cools without the water and a lighter, higher loaf with the water.
Good for sandwiches, toast and grated as breadcrumbs
You could add parmesan and herbs to make a savoury loaf

[Kent]

Re: Flax

I have added Flax seed to my diet for the fiber(hasn't really worked yet). I had been adding no more than 1 T a day to my salad. Today I ground it up and made an oatmeal out of it with added cream, water, splenda and cinnamon. Let me say that this is definately a required taste. The texture was....well...slimey. I had to add another teaspoon of Splenda to get this down. I do drink a lot of water during my day...minimum 12 cups sometimes as much as 18 cups.

Here are my questions. Since I am eating this for the fiber is it better to eat it whole or ground up? Is there a better recipe than the mock oatmeal for flax? Or should I stick to putting it on my salad. Does it make any difference to the fiber count if it is ground up instead of whole or heated instead of room temp. Is there a better alternative than flax?

Thank you!!

Flax isn't like a laxative. It takes a while to be effective. For me, two or three days after starting, I can definitely tell the increased fiber amount in the diet. I am with you I like it on salads dry or as microwave flax bread (croutons) rather than as oatmeal. The good doc says you can increase the amount by 1TBS if the first TBS is not effective.

The second question about whole or ground up. It is definitely better ground than whole as the body is unable to digest the whole seed. It will pass through your gastro-intestinal tract untouched and not do much good in the process. No difference on the fiber count except in the nonground example it would totally be unsoluble fiber.

As to final question better alternative, it depends on your intention. Psyllium husks (metamucil or capsule form) works better for me for getting things moving, but is completely useless to cook with. Flax is probably the best fiber source in that regards. I hear oat bran is good as well, but not as versatile.