Chia or flaxseeds? How to incorporate into diet..

[Lthomas 23]

Anyone eat these? What are some ways to integrate into your diet? Trader joes sells a blueberry flaxseed I was thinking about getting. I know flaxseeds are pretty popular and have many health benefits from GI to cardiovascular. Any creative advice welcome :-)

[Miss Mac 6,261]

I added flax seed, chia and wheat germ to nearly everything prior to my surgery. I was advised buy my NUT to avoid them post-op because they swell up in your stomach. So, I have not gone back to them yet.

[Crystalapril11 36]

Good question I have both and only know to use them in a smoothie

[Lthomas 23]

I know chia turns kind of gelatinous once added to Water but I didn't realize the same with flax. When is it safe to resume?

[Miss Mac 6,261]

My next nutrition appointment is Thursday morning, so I will ask. One other concern is that the seeds add calories, too.

[joatsaint 2,814]

I add ground flax seed to my refried Beans and to my lentils. I tend to over do it on the amounts and the flax makes the dish kinda Gummy. But I like it. I haven't tried adding flax to anything else.

[greensleeve 457]

I put PB2, Greek yogurt and splenda together and put in Chia seeds.

[Luvin_Life125 558]

I have been using flax seed for years. My usual Breakfast is a smoothie made with Greek yogurt, frozen fruit of choice, 2tbs flax seed, 1/2 cup of spinach, and whatever else I think to put in it. That smoothie fills me up and I really enjoy the thickening the flax does and the added Fiber helps with the Constipation caused by my pain meds. I hope I will eventually be able to add the flax back to my diet sometime post op.

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

I grind up flax seeds in a coffee grinder and add them to my Protein shakes in the morning. I have been doing this for years.

Chia needs to be soaked in Water for about 5 min before adding to things. I've added them to Protein Shakes too, and to Greek Yogurt.

Hemp hearts are the best. They have all the benefits of both flax and chia but they taste great. They taste very nutty. I love adding them to Greek Yogurt.

[enjoyinglife 313]

I make a chia seed drink. 1/2 gallon of Water and 4 tablespoons of chia seeds. I flavor the water with fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of Agave nectar. Delicious!!

[Bandista 7,466]

I love flax seeds and chia seeds! Flax has such a nice nutty flavor. It needs to be ground in order to get the full benefit, whereas Chia does not. I mix Chia seeds into my Greek yogurt to thicken it up so it's not a slider food. The band works through esophageal squeezes up to the brain that will signal satiety, so it's good to have something to chew. I also add a few walnuts and gluten-free Cereal flakes, etc. for this reason. And for another six grams of Protein I also put some collagen in (very low in calories). I'm a bander so not sure about sleeves and seeds -- be sure to check on this as chia does indeed get gelatinous and swell up.

Here's a great piece comparing the two -- Superseed Throwdown: http://www.easy-vegetarian-diet.com/chia-seeds-vs-flaxseeds.html#.U8Z6ZKhvtNY

[able2cope 193]

I grind up flax seeds in a coffee grinder and add them to my Protein shakes in the morning. I have been doing this for years.

Chia needs to be soaked in Water for about 5 min before adding to things. I've added them to Protein Shakes too, and to Greek Yogurt.

Hemp hearts are the best. They have all the benefits of both flax and chia but they taste great. They taste very nutty. I love adding them to Greek Yogurt.

Whereabouts do you get the hemp hearts? are they expensive?

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

You can buy ground flax at whole foods and other stores. I add them to anything

[Kitt3000 757]

Why do you want to eat them in the first place? Curious .... :-)