I'm not sure where to put this post since it doesn't fall under a specific eating plan etc. I've seen other "food question" posts here so I'm trying this forum.

I'm just wondering if you all have any experience with ground flax seed. I've discovered that I really, really like it in my yogurt because it gives it a nice texture and a "nutty" taste as well. I buy it in a box of individually sealed packages so I know I'm using 1 serving. It's 30 calories if I recall correctly, and supposedly high in Omega 3. The package says it can be used as a "fat substitute" so I'm wondering if I am helping or (neutral) or hindering my weightloss by using it? Thoughts? Thanks

I drink a lot of flaxseed milk because of the low calories. I love the stuff. I would not read too much into the Omega 3 benefits though. Plant-based omega 3s are often ALA which your body needs to convert to DHA and EPA to be useful. Most people are not able to convert ALA very efficiently.

The best source of DHA and EPA omega 3s are oily fish.

I eat the Bob's Red Mill brand and have gone through most of the package. I don't care for the taste, but I find I can eat it with certain things like mixing it in with oatmeal or a mashed up banana or adding it to a homemade cake recipe. I don't eat a lot of grains, and I think it helps keep me regular. I haven't noticed any other obvious benefits, though I did buy it for the omega 3s. I don't think it has hindered my weight loss, but I can't prove that it has helped either.

I think that is the same brand I have. I do like the taste though.

Nevermind, it's Hodgson Mill, not Bobs. I still like the taste and texture a lot. I'm told it's good for you, for the fiber and lignans and omega 3 (even if it's not the most "available" source). I think I'll keep up with it for awhile at least. See what happens.

I don't be it preground, but we eat a lot of flaxseeds and chia seeds here. I mix them into yogurt, toss them into salads and grind them up in my smoothie machine. I don't detect any flavor from them lol I just add them cause they're "healthy." When I put them in salads I don't hardly notice the crunch at all either.

Personally I dislike flaxseed, so the only way I consume it is to chug down two tablespoons of whole seeds (yep, that's quite a lot) with a couple of glasses of water when I'm constipated. Flaxseeds, whole or ground, are excellent for that, as they are both a bulking agent (they swell up) and mucilaginous. Just remember to have the two glasses of water if you are taking a lot of flaxseed, otherwise they will pull water out of your intestinal tract and make matters worse.

In terms of the oil, it's true that it's very poorly converted into Omega 3s. I'm veggie and use algae oil for my Omega 3 supplement, it's where the fish get it from, and I do notice the difference (much lighter periods, dry eyes not quite as bad). Some people do report benefits from taking flaxseed oil, though if it's not a clinical trial it's hard to know how much is the placebo effect. I tried taking flaxseed oil once, and it took me two months to realise it was causing the severe, continuous breast pain that started at the same time. That's an unusual side effect, not many people have reported it, but it seems that it can have some impact on your sex hormones.

I made South Beach muffins with my flax seed. It was milled that I bought some years ago but the muffins were really good. I was skeptical of the recipe at first, but it does make nice little muffins almost like bran muffins. Check the South Beach diet thread and look for Phase 1 breakfast recipes.