Everyone knows flax is healthy, but with the rise of chia’s popularity and superfood status, we seem to have forgotten just how awesome flax seeds really are. Let’s take a look at their most prize-worthy attributes: they have the highest source of omega 3 fats of all plant foods, they’re high in a type of fiber known as lignans that benefit the heart, they make a perfect stand-in for flour in a recipe, they’re a great source of B vitamins and magnesium, and best of all – they have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Yep – flax seeds deserve much more credit than most of us give them. So, how about we talk about some new exciting ways to enjoy them for breakfast?

Adding flax at breakfast is a great idea because it powers up your day, ensures you’re starting things out on a healthy foot, and it’s easy to remember to add them in the morning versus later on in the day when things get busy. Plus, they go awesome with most any breakfast food you can think of, sweet or savory. Need some new ideas? Check these out and try them this week:

1.Protein Cereal

This is one of my favorite ways to use flax and it’s so easy that anyone can do it: add two tablespoons of ground flax to one scoop of vegan protein powder in a bowl. You can also add in coconut flour to give it a heartier, thicker texture. Next, add some spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, plus a bit of healthy sweetener such as stevia. Stir everything together and add in some of your favorite non-dairy milk until it thickens into a thick consistency just like oat bran.

This makes an awesome breakfast that you can easily mix with fruit or just eat by itself. It’s also just like a thick cereal due to the hearty flax added. Just be sure your flax seeds are ground (versus whole)  so they’ll  taste the best and you”ll get the most nutrition possible.

2. Make Healthy Bread

As I mentioned, flax makes a great replacement to flour in a recipe. Flax seeds have an amazing hearty, dense, thickening property that works really well in baked goods. Try them out in a healthy baked bread recipe, which you can top with almond butter, vegan jam, and coconut yogurt for a delicious morning meal.

3. Bake Up Some Muffins

So you’re a muffin fan, eh? Me too, and there’s no need for eggs at all with the help of flax seeds. Use them to replace part or all of the flour and as a stand-in for eggs. Need a recipe? These banana breakfast muffins are sure to please, no doubt!

4. Make Your Own Breakfast Bars

One of the best things about seeds is they’re so high in protein and healthy fats. They make awesome protein bars and breakfast bars for this very reason. Try using some flax to make your own batch of breakfast bars and you’ll see what I mean. These pair great with some yogurt or a piece of fruit as a grab-and-go option. You can also eat them alone if you’re a light morning eater or just eat them for a snack later on in the day.

5. Mix Ground Flax in Nut Butter

This is almost too simple, yet few of us think to try it: just stir a tablespoon or two of ground golden flax into a tablespoon of almond butter, cashew butter, or melted coconut butter and spread it on whatever you like, whether it be sprouted grain bread, some vegan yogurt, to oatmeal, or onto a breakfast sandwich. When you add the ground flax to the nut butter, it gets this awesome, slightly sweet, breaded, cake-like texture that I promise you’ll love. It’s even better if you add some vegan jam or jelly too!

Image source: Raw Hemp Chia Seed Bars