Flaxseed

Functional Food of the Month

Flaxseed is a food that has been promoted as having certain health benefits including helping to prevent heart disease and cancer. Flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, which may help to lower cholesterol. It also contains lignans, which are type of fiber, and this may have certain properties that help to prevent cancer. When consuming flaxseed, it is best to grind the seeds as the body can use the nutritional qualities of the flaxseed better. Foods containing flaxseed are available in many food stores.

FLAX BANANA BREAD

Topping:

• Mix together flour, milled flaxseed, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, beat together eggs and oil.
• Add dry ingredients and mashed bananas alternately to egg and oil mixture, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened.
• Pour into a greased loaf pan.
• Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over batter in loaf pan.
• Pat down into batter.
• Bake at 350 degrees F. for 55-60 minutes.

Makes one loaf (20 slices).

Nutritional information: 1 slice-169 calories, 7.7 grams fat (mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), 23 grams carbohydrate

Milled flaxseed should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. In preparing this recipe, you can also reduce the carbohydrate content of the recipe by substituting all or part of the sugar in the Splenda. This is an easy recipe to prepare and freezes well.

ARTICLE TOOLS: