Unlock the power of chia and flaxseeds

Have you ever wondered why you bought that anvil-weighted mortar and pestle?

I don’t know either, but you can put it to good use on your chia and flaxseeds.

Why are omega-3s important?

We’ve all known for a long time that omega-3s are good for the brain and many of us turn to fish like Atlantic salmon or fish oil supplements to up our intake. Sixty per cent of the brain is made of fat and omega-3s are an important part of brain function that the body needs to get through your diet.

What’s the story with chia and flaxseeds?

Chia and flaxseeds are also very high in omega-3s but there’s a trick to unlocking their potential that comes from nutrition expert Dr Delia McCabe who told the ABC’s This Working Life that they need to be crushed to release their omega-3s.

How much chia and flaxseeds should we eat?

Dr McCabe recommends a tablespoon or two of them every morning. She also says that generally people don’t get enough omega-3s, so for many of us (guilty!), there’s plenty of room for improvement and a good reason to get that dusty mortar and pestle.