Flaxseed Oil for kids?

[Akiwican]

My 11 yr old son is interested in the flaxseed oil that I take everyday. What I am wondering is... should I give him a Tbsp a day. He is a bit chubby and there are around 120 cal in a Tbsp. He is eating less carbs since I started this WOL, but wont/cant go Low Carb. So would the benefits of the flaxseed oil outweight the extra calories for him?

:wave: Akiwican

[Natrushka]

Jumping in with both feet :)

I'd say Yes. EFAs, particularly Omega 3, are very useful in fatty acid metabolism. They help you burn fat. They are just what their name implies, essential. Our bodies recognize them as such and they are shuttled off for business other than energy. EFAs are not used for energy. Counting flaxseed oil toward your daily calories is doing yourself a disservice on a LC WOL. If fat is what makes us full and keeps our bodies out of starvation mode, every Tbsp you count toward your caloric intake is 120 calories you're not really 'eating'.

Nat

[Akiwican]

Okay Nat, thanks for your speedy reply and to the other question I asked a few minutes ago.

Did you stats just change?

:wave: Akiwican

[Lessara]

I mix a tbsp of flaxseed oil in with my teen's yogert that they eat each morning. The oil is refrigorated (I actually got cold pressed oil from a local store!) and to me it has a kinda nutty flavor and is yellow. It mixes quite well and my kids say they can't taste it.
Does Yogert do anything bad to the oil or is this ok?

[freydis]

Flaxseed has multiple health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and maintaining heart health. It's worth the calories.

[LadyBelle]

You can also try buying whole flaxseed. You have to grind it in a blender or coffee grinder as the outer shell makes it hard to digest whole. Then add it to cooking, use it in place of yogurt, or sprinkle it on things. I have also tried using it as a breading with success.