Flaxseed
The Various Forms of Flaxseed
As a product becomes popular, then manufacturers are not that long seizing on that opportunity. Flaxseed is one of those products, and it is now available in a whole range of different formats.
I was quite staggered by just how many different ways this could be produced, so I thought it was worthwhile doing an article about them. At least that way, you will know what is available, and what are the different ways of taking it and using it.
You may well ask why this should come in all these different shapes and sizes and I believe the reasons are twofold:
- Manufacturers want to stand out and look different in the market
- People do have preferences for the way they like to take their supplements
Whereas some people are fine with taking seeds, some like to have them already ground and others simply prefer taking a spoonful of oil or even a capsule.
We all like to consume products in different ways. As manufacturers recognize this, then whole industries pop up based around these consumer preferences.
Organic Whole Flaxseed
This probably still remains one of the most popular choices for a lot of people. It also happens to be one of the cheapest ways to buy this and get the full nutritional value.
This will be made from pure organic flaxseeds, and they provide good reliable sources of protein, fiber, and minerals. Typically this is eaten as a simple nutty snack, or can be used to sprinkle on breakfast cereals, and even used for baking.
Taking this on a regular daily basis will ensure that you get enough fiber, lignans and the essential Omega-3 fats. Many people simply incorporate these into their baking, when making bread, muffins and even pancakes.
I know some other people who add these to their shakes once they have ground them down. It makes these seeds a useful source of the important intakes for your body.
This particular bag contains four 24 ounce packs and you can pick that up for around $15 and if you shop around probably slightly cheaper than that.
Please remember that will all flax-based products, this is best kept in the fridge to prolong its lifespan.
Dr. Mercola explains this very well in the video below.
Organic Ground Flaxseed
I mentioned earlier that some people simply can not be bothered buying whole seeds and then start to grind them down. For those people, they will tend to opt for what is termed ground flaxseed.
You can see from the picture that this particular one is a 14-ounce bag and costs just under $10. That makes it a lot more expensive than buying the whole seeds and doing the grinding yourself.
That said, it is certainly less hassle and you get the same important sources of fiber and nutrition.
I have used this product myself and I like it, though nowadays I tend to just take the oil versions. This type of product is used a lot by the weight lifting community. Men also tend to use this for helping with weight loss and other issues such as bowel movements and various types of inflammatory ailments.
You need to take between 2-3 tablespoons a day, and it can either be taken on its own or more typically is taken on cereal, added to yogurt or is used in cooking and baking.
Flaxseed Organic Meals
This is a cold-pressed variety of flaxseed. People tend to buy this for two reasons which are cost and quality. This one has been well ground and I know from all the reviews that I have read, that this is a top-quality product.
It has a nice clean fresh taste to it. Here is a typical review from one buyer;
This flax meal is good – it’s evenly ground up and tastes clean and fresh. The bag doesn’t re-zip once you open it (as the meal gets in the zipper) but transfer it into an airtight container (like a mason jar) and store in your fridge. Works great!
So as you can see from what we have covered so far, there are many different ways to get the seeded variety of flax into your diet.
Flaxseed Oil As A Format
Taking flaxseed in an oil format is also highly popular and is my own preferred method. Softgels are really gaining in popularity and the reasons for that are based on price and convenience.
You do not get all the protein advantages of the actual seed, but for those who are just looking for the Omega 3 requirements, then this is a simple and easy method to do that.
People who are not big fish eaters tend to go for something like this. The contents are 100% organic and there are no dietary concerns as they don’t contain starch, yeast, gluten or any type of artificial coloring or flavoring.
It is also a quick and convenient way of making sure you get your daily dose. These are worth considering especially if you are prone to skipping breakfast.
Actual Flaxseed Oil
Last but not least is actually taking flax in an oil version. There are a lot of manufacturers who produce this and they will all come in different shapes and sizes.
You then take 1 tablespoon a day and you get all the requirements of Omega 3 and Omega 6. This remains a very popular choice for people. The one I have shown here is fresh-pressed which means it will last slightly longer than most.
A popular way of taking this is to use it as a salad dressing or in a shake. This one gets great reviews by people who have bought it over at Amazon. It gets these because it is a high-quality product but remains at a sensible price when compared to other brands.
Hopefully, you can now see the number of choices that you have should you decide to give flaxseed a try as a supplement to your normal diet.
We have covered off the benefits of taking flaxseed oil, so if it is something you want to try, then all you have to decide is which format will suit you best. I started with those seeds but these days I just find it quicker and easier to take gels.