Whether you recently decided to board the healthy eating train or you’re a long-standing member of the foodie or fitness tribe, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of these little guys – flax seeds. The seemingly inconspicuous dark brown or golden-colored crunchy, oval-shaped seeds have emerged over the past couple of years as a “super food,”as more and more scientific research has highlighted the many health benefits they bring to the table (or in RoYo’s case, to your bread and buns!). But why exactly have we chosen flax seeds as one of our key ingredients?
Health Benefits
Flax seeds, also known as linseeds, are one of the world’s oldest crops. What’s more, they are absolutely packed with nutrients. Check out this impressive resumé:
Protein content? ✔
Fiber content? ✔
Omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your heart healthy? ✔
Vitamins and Minerals, such as Iron, Magnesium and B Vitamins for energy, good digestion and healthy brain function? ✔
And, as if all that wasn’t enough, various scientific studies have even linked the fatty acids and plant compounds found in flax seeds to a lowered risk of cancer, lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. With a checklist like that, how could we possibly resist!?
Grind ‘em up
So wait – surely I should just start throwing handfuls of flax seeds into my morning oats, smoothies and protein shakes!? Not so fast! Here at RoYo Bread Co., we use ground flaxseeds instead of whole ones, for a couple of important reasons. Firstly, ground flax seeds are much easier to digest; those stunning health benefits we mentioned still aren’t worth getting a stomachache! Secondly, using ground flax seeds allows us to reap the full extent of these health benefits; your intestines aren’t able to break down the tough outer shell of whole flaxseeds on their own, to get to the good stuff on the inside, so we do it for you!
Plant-Based Goodness
At a time when an ever-increasing number of people are leaning towards a more or even entirely plant-based diet, flaxseeds are a great, high-quality alternative protein source to animal protein. Whether every month is Veganuary in your kitchen, or you’re simply trying to cut back on meat consumption for a little while, these small but mighty seeds will give you that satisfied, satiated feeling of post-protein fullness in an entirely plant-based way. And you know what that means? Staying full for longer and less temptation to snack between meals!
The Long and the Short of it
Listen, we’re not into picking favorites. But if we had to pick just one from the list of healthy, clean ingredients that make up RoYo Bread, these little powerhouse flax seeds would probably come out on top. In terms of nutritional goodness, they’re a 10/10. They have a mild but yummy, slightly nutty flavor, the health benefits linked to their consumption are simply too good to miss, and you’ll find them all ground up and ready to go, jam packed into our products!
Naomi Myerson is a freelance writer specializing in food, lifestyle, and product marketing. British-born and Miami-based, she is also a multilingual certified translator, working with English, Spanish and French.