In July, I attended the Gluten Intolerance Group’s 37th Annual Conference in Orlando. While the entire week was filled with valuable information on special diets, food allergies, and the gluten free lifestyle, one of the highlights for me was meeting my new friend, Susan, at the Bob’s Red Mill booth.
Handling southeastern sales for “Bob’s”, Susan knows her stuff when it comes to grains!
She even stumped this scientist!
When I heard that Flax Meal was a top seller for “Bob’s”, I asked Susan why it is packaged in such large bags considering that it goes rancid quickly.
“Does it?” was her reply.
Good question. Until that point, I could only rely on information from various food-related sites. Most suggest storing flax products in the freezer or fridge to help them remain fresh. That’s because the oils in flax seed can become rancid.
When I told Susan that I wasn’t sure about flax storage, she said, “You’re the scientist... You figure it out!”
That’s exactly what I did.
“Does it?” was her reply.
Good question. Until that point, I could only rely on information from various food-related sites. Most suggest storing flax products in the freezer or fridge to help them remain fresh. That’s because the oils in flax seed can become rancid.
When I told Susan that I wasn’t sure about flax storage, she said, “You’re the scientist... You figure it out!”
That’s exactly what I did.
My Special Diet Science Lab
I may not be in a research lab these days, but that does not mean I’ve stopped conducting experiments. My gluten free test kitchen is a great place for trial, error, and discovery!
To answer the question, “How long does flax meal remain fresh at room temperature?”, I stored a 6-ounce bowl of Bob’s Red Mill Flax Meal in a glass dish lightly covered with clear plastic for 7 weeks (and counting!) on my kitchen counter. The remaining bag of flax meal went into my freezer for comparison.
Each week I tasted both flax samples to detect spoilage. (If flax becomes rancid, you will know by the bitter odor and taste.) So far, after over 7 weeks, my room temperature flax meal looks and tastes no different from the freezer flax. Both samples have the expected earthy, nutty flavor that you expect from flax.
To answer the question, “How long does flax meal remain fresh at room temperature?”, I stored a 6-ounce bowl of Bob’s Red Mill Flax Meal in a glass dish lightly covered with clear plastic for 7 weeks (and counting!) on my kitchen counter. The remaining bag of flax meal went into my freezer for comparison.
Each week I tasted both flax samples to detect spoilage. (If flax becomes rancid, you will know by the bitter odor and taste.) So far, after over 7 weeks, my room temperature flax meal looks and tastes no different from the freezer flax. Both samples have the expected earthy, nutty flavor that you expect from flax.
I’ll continue to monitor the room temperature flax meal for freshness, and will let you know when (and if!) it goes bad.
Now that we know the truth about flax storage, let’s find out...
How To Use Flax in Your Special Diet
Flax is full of health benefits, but for those of us living with a food allergy or on a special diet, flax is especially important.
Slightly larger than sesame seeds, flax seeds come from a plant native to the Mediterranean. Both varieties, brown and golden flax, have similar health benefits.
Flax seeds contain an omega-3 fatty acid that, when consumed, the body converts to the same omega-3 found in fish oil! That makes flax a tasty way to a healthy heart because they reduce blood pressure and levels of “bad” fats in the body. This is terrific news for vegans and vegetarians who are not able to consume fish oil.
For those with immune disorders like Celiac Disease, lupus, and thyroid disease, flax can be healing. Research shows that consuming flax regularly can improve immune function and reduce inflammation!
Those with diabetes can also reap huge benefits from flax! That’s because the omega-3 fatty acid found in flax seeds help keep our cell membranes flexible... In a diabetic, that means all cells are able to respond better to insulin, leading to more stable blood sugar levels.
Research from Duke University even showed that adding flax to the diet could actually shrink some types of tumors!
With all of these health benefits, you would think flax seeds to be super-expensive, wouldn’t you?! Fortunately, they aren’t! At about $3 per pound, this may be one of the most affordable health foods on the market!
Slightly larger than sesame seeds, flax seeds come from a plant native to the Mediterranean. Both varieties, brown and golden flax, have similar health benefits.
Flax seeds contain an omega-3 fatty acid that, when consumed, the body converts to the same omega-3 found in fish oil! That makes flax a tasty way to a healthy heart because they reduce blood pressure and levels of “bad” fats in the body. This is terrific news for vegans and vegetarians who are not able to consume fish oil.
For those with immune disorders like Celiac Disease, lupus, and thyroid disease, flax can be healing. Research shows that consuming flax regularly can improve immune function and reduce inflammation!
Those with diabetes can also reap huge benefits from flax! That’s because the omega-3 fatty acid found in flax seeds help keep our cell membranes flexible... In a diabetic, that means all cells are able to respond better to insulin, leading to more stable blood sugar levels.
Research from Duke University even showed that adding flax to the diet could actually shrink some types of tumors!
With all of these health benefits, you would think flax seeds to be super-expensive, wouldn’t you?! Fortunately, they aren’t! At about $3 per pound, this may be one of the most affordable health foods on the market!
Adding Budget-Friendly, Super-Healthy Flax
to Your Special Diet
to Your Special Diet
Most resources recommend consuming about an ounce of flax seeds per day. If those are ground, it is easier for the body to absorb the healthy oils contained in the seeds. To grind the seeds you can use a coffee grinder, or if you want them pre-ground like I do, buy flax meal.
Add flax to your favorite gluten free muffin recipe (like my Surprise Brunch Muffins), as topping for your morning oatmeal, or stir a few tablespoons into a gluten free grain dish like this vegan Corn Fritter Casserole!
You can even add it to my Baked Quinoa (see my How-To Video here!)
Add flax to your favorite gluten free muffin recipe (like my Surprise Brunch Muffins), as topping for your morning oatmeal, or stir a few tablespoons into a gluten free grain dish like this vegan Corn Fritter Casserole!
You can even add it to my Baked Quinoa (see my How-To Video here!)
Flax ~ The Vegan Egg
Flax can even be used as an egg substitute!
For 1 “egg”, simply combine 1 Tablespoon of ground flax seed with 3 Tablespoons of warm water and stir! The mixture will become thick and “egg-like” after a minute or two, then it is ready to use as a vegan substitute in baking!
And don’t forget, there’s no need to fill your freezer with flax... Store those beautiful seeds right on the countertop in a pretty glass jar to help remind you to add that ounce each day for your health!
For 1 “egg”, simply combine 1 Tablespoon of ground flax seed with 3 Tablespoons of warm water and stir! The mixture will become thick and “egg-like” after a minute or two, then it is ready to use as a vegan substitute in baking!
And don’t forget, there’s no need to fill your freezer with flax... Store those beautiful seeds right on the countertop in a pretty glass jar to help remind you to add that ounce each day for your health!
This Week’s Trivia Question... Answered!
The Question: Will a vegan “egg” remain fresh at room temperature?
The Answer: When it is made with healthy ground flax, yes it will!
The Answer: When it is made with healthy ground flax, yes it will!
~g~
Tuesday continues our series of Gluten Free Gigi’s How-To Videos of Top 12 Recipes from Year 1! I’ll have 3 more simple, affordable vegan recipes that everyone will love!
I’m so glad you stopped by! Regardless of your food allergy or health goals, know that what I’m doing here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is for YOU because I understand what being on a special diet means!
Have a look around, get comfortable here, and come back often to check out new information and recipes each Tuesday and Thursday. Please feel free to leave a comment or question. I’ll always get back to you!
Thanks for being a part of my extended gluten free family!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
I’m so glad you stopped by! Regardless of your food allergy or health goals, know that what I’m doing here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is for YOU because I understand what being on a special diet means!
Have a look around, get comfortable here, and come back often to check out new information and recipes each Tuesday and Thursday. Please feel free to leave a comment or question. I’ll always get back to you!
Thanks for being a part of my extended gluten free family!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
Don’t take my word for it... Check my sources!
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