Too much of a good thing...

[Melissa]

...is NOT wonderful when it comes to flax seeds, folks.

I made a batch of the delicious onion bread (being discussed on one of this site's recipe threads) and ate an entire tray of it over the course of the day yesterday. (Easy to do...I made it very very thin and it's quite tasty.)

Well, I've been up since midnight with severe abdominal distress. Basically napped on the bathroom floor in between bouts :eek: Unless it's a stomach bug (unlikely) I think it's the flax. So this is my little cautionary tale before I go collapse into bed: Go easy on the flax. If you make crackers or bread, limit yourself to a few pieces and drink LOTS of water too. Flax can soak up a lot of water and dehydrate you, and can start a major wave of intestinal spasms.

I think I'm going to cut the flax in half (or less) in all future recipes.

[flutterfly]

Go figure lol

[rawvegirl]

I love flax but it always gives me so much gas! Is there any way to prevent that?

[glad_2beme]

Hello Melissa - I sure hope you are feeling better soon - I learned the flax lesson the hard way but it was years ago.....

[Pink_Berry]

hmmm its so weird how you ladies would have probelsm with flax!!!
a while ago i bought some flax seed powder.....and i noticed after that i got really bad gas and cramps to... but ive found when i mix it with the right things.. its works great :D
i now use it every morning in my smoothies before i head to the gym... its usually baby bananas 1tsp flax and berries! .. YUM! and its a natural thickner.....so far this hasnt giving me any gas... it acually makes my stomach nice and flat as well!!....
i guess before i was using to much as now i only use 1tsp! so i guess... everything in moderation :D

[Melissa]

Yes, moderation is the key! I think the difference (for me) between the onion bread recipe and other flax crackers I've made is the flax is ground first instead of whole. Ground flax was just rougher on my GI system. I think you probably need less to get a cleansing effect than with the whole seeds. It's also absorbent like a sponge! Well, I feel better now. Live and learn! I'm going to make the delectable onion bread again but with more sunflower seeds and much less flax.

[Rawkinlocs]

I experienced a similar thing and didn't even think to contribute it to the crackers only because I have done so many other recipes using flax and never had this problem. I'm wondering if it's a combination of the ground flax and onion.

The recipe does call for a LOT of onions and if any of you are familiar with White Castle burgers...you know a lot of onions can do a number on ya too! ;) So, I'm willing to bet it's a combo of the two...just my $0.02

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Guys, I had the same reaction! I didn't even think of the onion bread... I was curled up on the floor- and had to crawl into bed wrapped in a towel! I have had flax several times too and love it- I never flet this way. I had an onion bread sandwich yesterday and it didn't bother me at all- so go figure. Maybe that first day, I ate a lttle too much of the good thing? I'm having another onion bread sandwich today- I will see what happens.

[Mishka]

Yep me too!!!
I made some raw tostada's with golden flax...and I ate 4 in 1 day. My oh my did I visit the throne a lot that day. I noticed the same thing with my 2 yo (he loves flax tostada's)...I was changing his diaper a lot!!!! And they came through Whole for him...poor little guy :eek: !!!