Not all kids (or adults) enjoy a nice salmon filet..  So, what other options are there for getting healthy Omega-3? Of course, there are supplements. But there is also a simple, inexpensive option - Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal.

The beauty with Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal is that you can hide it in so many foods and recipes.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids: They are necessary for human health but the body can't make them. Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function, as well as normal growth and development. The jury seems to still be out on the recommended daily amount of Omega-3, but I would think the Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal covers it. Two tablespoons of Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal offers 2400mg of Omega-3. A serving size of Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal also packs 4 grams of fiber.

So, how can one get two tablespoons of Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal to receive the benefits of flaxseed? Easy. Mix it into foods where it's not so obvious. This is very easy to do and my picky eater kids are proof of it. Here are some ideas for where we've hidden Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal where there was no change in taste, texture, etc. The kids didn't even notice.

Easy foods to mix with Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal for recipes:

• pancake and/or waffle mix
• peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• yogurt
• oatmeal
• Cream of Wheat
• apple sauce
• pudding
• Muffins*

Plus, you can use Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal as an egg substitute! Get this, Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal makes a great egg substitute for many recipes. For one egg, simply mix 1 tablespoon of Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for about two minutes. Then use it just as you would one egg in a recipe.

Note that the price of Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal varies depending where you purchase it. I found the best price to be at Trader Joe's (under $3 for a 1 lb. package). And, it's not a Trader Joe's brand. It's the Bob's Red Mill Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal.

* The back of the Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal package has a great muffin recipe that I've tried and really like. I'm not sure what it would do if you mixed the Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal into a typical muffin, cookie or cake mix recipe but every recipe I've tried mixing flaxseed meal into either improves the taste (makes it heartier) or there is virtually no difference in taste.

Bob's Red Mill Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal Nutritional Info:
Serving Size: 2 Tablespoons
Total Fat: 4.5g (7% of daily value)
Saturated Fat: .5g (3% of daily value)
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.5g
Monosaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Omega-3: 2400mg
Total Carbohydrate: 4g (1% of daily value)
Dietary Fiber: 4g (15% of daily value)
Soluble Fiber: 1g
Insoluble Fiber: 3g
Protein: 3g

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