Flax Seeds [Natural Weight Loss Blog Series]

How Flax Seeds Help with Weight Loss

Flax seeds are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which are important elements of a healthy diet. Fiber is beneficial for weight loss in a few ways.

First, it helps you feel full for a longer period of time, helping you consume less food.

Second, the fiber content in flax seeds helps control your blood sugar levels. Maintaining lower blood sugar levels supports weight loss, because when your blood sugar levels are high, your body is more likely to store fat.

Flax seeds also contain omega-3 essential fatty acids which have been shown to boost metabolism and speed up weight loss. And like fiber, the healthy fats found in flax seeds are beneficial because they slow down digestion and help keep you satiated.

Tips for Buying Flax Seed

There are two types of flax seeds: russet brown and golden yellow. Both types of flax are similar in nutritional value and health benefits, so choose either one.

When you shop for flax seeds, you will find them in either the whole form or pre-ground. Always purchase whole flax seeds because the ground seeds turn rancid quickly. You can then easily grind them at home using a coffee grinder or high speed blender, such as a BlendTec or a VitaMix.

Your digestive system is unable to break down flax seeds in their whole form. In order to gain nutritional benefits from flax seeds, always use ground seeds.

I like to grind enough flax seeds for one week and store the ground seeds in an airtight container in the fridge. The unused whole seeds should be stored in the freezer after the bag is opened in order to keep them fresh.

How to Include Flax Seeds in Your Diet.

Here are a few ways I like to incorporate flax seeds into my diet:

• Add a tablespoon of ground flax seeds to a smoothie

• Sprinkle ground flax on a bowl of oatmeal in the morning

• Stir ground flax into granola

• Stir a spoonful of ground flax into a bowl of yogurt

• Mix ground flax into meatballs or meatloaf

xxoxx Amber Nicole