The Benefits of Baking with Flaxseed Meal

Flaxseed meal is an often overlooked baking ingredient. As Americans, we so often depend on white or whole wheat flour for all of our favorite baked goods, but these choices are not always the best when it comes to maintaining good health.

Nutrition

Some of the benefits of flaxseed meal are due to its high fiber content. In fact, when you first begin using flaxmeal, it is sometimes better to add small amounts to your favorite recipes at first in order to give your body time to adapt to the high fiber content. Because of this high fiber content, flaxseed meal is great for balancing your digestive tract, whether you are prone to constipation or diarrhea, flaxseed meal seems to balance things nicely when it comes to digestion. The high fiber content also improves cholesterol levels and is a very tasty way to do just that. Ground flaxseed meal is also a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids.

Availability and Cost

Ground flax meal is readily available in most grocery stores or it can be purchased online from such sites as Netrition or Bob's Red Mill. A 2 lb. Bag of Flax meal costs about $6.00 at Netrition where shipping charges are always only $4.95, regardless of the size of your online order. Bob's Red Mill charges $14.99 for a case of 4 one lb. bags. I have also found flaxseed meal at my local Kroger's grocery store as well as Publix. I usually purchase a bag of golden flaxseed meal and a bag of brown flaxseed meal and mix the two in my muffin and bread recipes.

Flaxseed Meal is Great for Diabetics

Because of its low glycemic impact, flaxseed meal is especially good for diabetics. This meal has a beautiful golden brown to dark brown color and has a slightly nutty flavor. Diabetics can enjoy pancakes, muffins and breads made with this wonderful meal.

How to Store Flaxseed Meal

Flaxseed meal comes in an opaque bag which can be resealed and stored in the refrigerator. Since flaxseed meal tends to go rancid if not properly stored, you will need to keep it in an opaque bag or other opaque container and keep it refrigerated. If you buy it in larger volume, you can always store the extra bags in the freezer until you are ready to use them.

Recipes Using Flaxseed Meal

One of my favorite ways to enjoy flaxseed meal is this quick and easy recipe which has been bandied about the Atkins Forums. Since I'm not sure where the original recipe came from, I cannot give proper credit for the recipe, but I hope you will find it as useful as I have.

Flaxseed Meal Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• ¼ cup sugar-free syrup (DaVinci is recommended but I use Log Cabin sugar-free syrup with great results)
• 2 TBSP water
• 1 TBSP vanilla extract
• 1 cup flaxseed meal
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 TBSP cinnamon

In a medium sized bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. Then beat in by hand the oil, syrup, water and vanilla.

In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients, blending well. Then add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture. Allow the mixture to stand about 5 minutes before pouring into well greased muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

This mixture can also be baked in a loaf pan and sliced as bread. The muffins or bread can be enjoyed as a snack or as a bread served with your meal. The muffins can also be frosted with a cream cheese spread and enjoyed as a dessert or as a low carb sugar-free breakfast treat.

Cream Cheese Spread

Combine 3 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 TBSP unsalted butter and 2 TBSP Splenda. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract, blending well. Spread on top of your flaxseed muffins for a real treat.

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