How to eat flaxseeds for weight loss

Flaxseeds are a superfood. Its anti-inflammatory property and high content of dietary fiber, protein, antioxidants, vitamin Bs, omega-3, and calcium make it remedial in numerous illnesses and conditions. It is recommended for weight loss, strengthening immunity, constipation, diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.

Flaxseeds for weight loss

Studies show flaxseeds help overweight and obese people to lose weight. As per Ayurveda, flaxseeds are heavy in nature. Their heaviness brings satiety sooner and prevents you from eating in excess and snacking in between meals. Its high fiber content helps to eliminate waste and prevents a build-up of toxins that can accumulate to add on weight.

When consuming flaxseeds for weight loss, keep two things in mind:

1. Consume flaxseeds in limited quantity as it is heating in nature. Studies show that consuming a kg of flaxseeds in a day has toxic results on the body.
2. Make flaxseeds a part of your daily diet. Eating occasionally or once a week in a fancy dish won’t produce the expected weight loss results.

How to add flaxseeds to your diet

You may use flaxseeds in different ways when it comes to preparing your meals. You may add flaxseed oil or roasted flaxseeds in salad dressings, make flaxseed chikki or laddus, and add ground flaxseed to your Rotis. Here are five easy flaxseed recipes for weight loss that you can have regularly.

Flaxseed mouth freshener

This one is a refreshing digestive aid that you can consume after every meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½  cups flaxseeds
• 1 cup carom seeds (ajwain)
• 1 cup fennel seeds
• ½ cup sesame seeds
• ½ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ tsp Himalayan pink salt
• ¼ tsp black salt
• 1 lemon or more

Steps:

1. Mix in a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of pink salt and black salt with the different kinds of seeds. Don’t mix the seeds with each other yet.
2. Spread each type of seed on a cotton cloth in the sun for half an hour.
3. Now, dry roast the seeds separately.
4. Mix all the seeds and let them cool.
5. Fill in a glass container.

Flaxseed chutney

This is a dry chutney powder recipe that you can mix with a teaspoon of ghee when you have it with rice, roti, or dosa. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup roasted flaxseed
• 2 tablespoons dried curry leaves or roasted curry leaves
• ½  tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• Rock salt as per taste

Steps:

Blend all ingredients in a mixer and store the mixture in a container.

Flaxseed parathas

This breakfast recipe from Bihar can be had with butter on top and curd on the side. You can also make it for lunch and dinner when you want to add flavor to your humble roti. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp flaxseed dry chutney (check the recipe above)
• Coriander leaves
• 1 carrot

Steps:

1. Grate the carrot and saute it in some oil or ghee in a pan.
2. Add the carrot to a mixing bowl and add the dry flaxseed chutney, chopped coriander leaves and a pinch of salt. You can add 1 chopped green chili and add ¼ tsp grated ginger as well. Mix well.
3. Make a small ball of wheat dough and flatten with a rolling pin. Stop when you make a small chapati size.
4. Place a tablespoon of the carrot-flaxseed mixture in the flattened dough. Place the corners of the chapati inside its core, packing the mixture.
5. Flatten this with a rolling pin. 
6. Place a thinly rolled stuffed roti on a heated pan. 
7. When it is cooked on the pan side, flip it.
8. Brush a tsp of oil or ghee on the flipped side. After a minute, flip it again.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8. Your paratha is ready.
10. You can skip adding the oil or ghee and just allow it to cook on both sides. You will get a stuffed roti to which you can add ghee later.

Flaxseed chikki

Have this as a sweet dish post lunch or a snack. Ideally suited for winters and cooler temperatures.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup makhana (fox nuts)
• ½ cup flaxseeds
• ½ cup jaggery
• 1 tsp A2 ghee

Steps:

1. Roast makhana in ghee. Break it into smaller pieces with a stone grinder.
2. Dry roast the flaxseeds.
3. Add the jaggery to a pan on flame and stir. 
4. As the jaggery melts, add the broken makhana and flaxseeds. Stir for a minute.
5. Switch off the flame and spread the hot mixture on ghee coated plate.
6. Allow it to cool.

Summer flaxseed salad

A delicious summer salad that uses flaxseed in its dressing. Feel free to add and change the rest of the ingredients to your liking.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber diced into cubes
• ½ cup grated pumpkin
• ¼ cup pomegranate
• 1 diced tomato
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tsp roasted flaxseed or 1 tsp flaxseed oil
• Rock salt as per taste
• A pinch of black pepper

Steps:

1. Mix all the ingredients well and allow them to stay for five minutes.

The above recipes make healthy and delicious use of flaxseeds. Have this superfood in your diet and you are likely to see positive results on your weight loss journey.

Written by: Vanditaa Kothari

Recipes based on inputs by Kaushani Desai, Faculty, The Art of Living, Holistic Cooking