Hey Su! What's the deal with flax seed oil? Thanks, Elizabeth
Well, this is a timely question BECAUSE my sister recently pointed out that the mainstream grocery stores (Safeways, anyway) are now selling flax seed oil. Sweet!
So why would you fork out the dough for this expensive oil and then what would you do with it once you got it home?
Firstly, flax oil should be refrigerated when shipped, stored, and in your house. I wouldn't recommend buying flax seed oil that is just sitting on a shelf. Flax seed oil is VERY VERY sensitive to heat. Therefore, you absolutely cannot cook with it. I suggest using it in dressings, or as a topping on toast and popcorn, or as a supplement in a fruit shake.
But why would I use flax seed oil and not olive oil, Susan?
Excellent question. Use both. Flax seed oil is very high in omega-3 fat, a fat that is seriously deficient in our (not just vegans) diets. Other excellent sources of omega-3s come from fish, so if you are vegan, vegetarian or deathly afraid of toxic seafood, you may be in need of some flax oil. Some think that because flax seed oil is so volatile, you are better off buying the seeds and grinding them at home. Then use the ground seeds as a salad topper or as a supplement in a shake. That's up to you.
Low intake of omega-3s can lead to all sorts of maladies, including depression, dry skin, cardiovascular disease and joint pain. Uh oh.
Other good sources of omega-3 fats include walnuts, tofu and soybeans.
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