Vegan Nutrition with Dina Aronson, M.S. R.D.

Dina Aronson, MS, RD is a vegan dietitian whose specialties include chronic disease prevention, vegetarian/vegan nutrition, and lifestyle management. She is the founder and director of VeganRD.com, a nutrition consulting company. Active in many vegetarian nutrition organizations, Dina was the recipient of the American Dietetic Association's Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award in 2002.

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I am taking 2 tablespoons of fresh ground flax seed daily in my cereal but was wondering if I can bake the flax seed under 350 degrees and still get the same benefits with out destroying the omega-3 and lignans.

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I am happy to report that yes, you can bake with flaxseeds. According to research, even baking at 662 degrees Fahrenheit -- much hotter recipes typically call for -- does not affect the beneficial oils in flaxseeds. And this is true whether they are ground or whole.

For more on this study and other research into the effects of baking and storage on flax, visit The Flax Council of Canada. If you're looking for some ways to cook with flax, there are many recipes available, from egg-free French toast to pumpkin bread and pecan waffles. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The advice given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

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