Flaxseeds are the seeds from a pretty blue flowering herb grown in colder climates. It is a plant-based food, commonly referred to as a superfood. Being a superfood means it over-indexes on it's nutrient-density making it a highly nutritious and "health-giving" food.

Whole vs. Milled Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds can also be found either in a whole seed or in a milled (ground) form that looks like a coarse powder. It is best to consume flaxseeds in their milled form as it is more easily digested by the body allowing us to better absorb and utilize the powerful nutrients found within the flaxseeds.^3,4 Once they are milled, they should be stored in a refrigerator or freezer for optimal freshness. Whole flaxseeds usually pass through your system undigested.

Brown vs. Golden Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds can be a brown or golden color. Both varieties have slight differences in their nutrition and taste; brown flaxseeds offer slightly higher macronutrients (more protein, fat and carbohydrates) as well as more antioxidants than golden flaxseeds. Brown flaxseeds are also slightly nuttier in taste compared to the milder flavor of golden flax.¹⁶

With high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and more, flaxseeds are an excellent food to include into your child's diet.⁵  Flaxseeds are also full of antioxidants.^2,5 The nutrients flaxseeds are best known for are fiber, omega 3s and lignans.^1,5

FIBER

• Flaxseeds provide a perfect fiber boost for a baby and toddler. In fact, a toddler can get 18% of their daily fiber needs from just one serving. ^6,18
  
• Fiber is essential in establishing a strong gut microbiome and overall good health. We all know it's great at keeping your family's digestive system moving! ^7,8

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

• Flaxseeds are one of the highest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), on the planet.^1,5,9.
• One serving provides 2.4g of ALA, which is more than sufficient for a toddler to meet their omega-3 intake for the day. ^5,6,9,18
• Omega 3 fatty acids are necessary for the growth and development of your little ones. Our bodies can't make omega 3s, so it must be obtained through food sources.⁹ The best sources of omega 3's are usually foods your little ones do not regularly eat like mackerel, herring, and salmon, which is another reason we love flaxseeds.

LIGNANS

• Flaxseeds contain up to 800 times more lignans than any other food making it one of the richest sources of lignans available.² 
• Lignans are phenolic compounds that have been shown to advance good health and combat various diseases, including several types of cancers.²

Tiny Sprouts Foods Organic Flaxseed Booster has the added benefit of vitamin D + probiotics. The vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and magnesium to support bone development, while the probiotics help support both the digestive & immune health.

Children have the highest nutrient needs in their first years of life as they are undergoing rapid growth and development. Because they are so nutrient-rich and an easy addition to any food, flaxseeds can help fill nutritional gaps that may occur due to picky eating and the elevated nutrition needs.

Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Flaxseeds also contain vitamin D and probiotics, which add additional benefits to your little ones, including the extra boost to support digestion, the immune system, and build strong teeth and bones.^10,11

Below are our top 5 reasons why your kids should be eating flaxseeds daily. The benefits of consuming flaxseeds are so great that we think you should be eating them daily too!

• Flaxseeds help reduce constipation and improve digestive health.
  
  Flaxseeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which makes it excellent for reducing constipation and encouraging regular bowel movements.^2,7,8
  
  The soluble fiber promotes gut health by feeding healthy gut bacteria and the insoluble fiber acts like a laxative by getting things moving down the digestive tract.^7,8
  
  The added benefit of the Bacillus Coagulans probiotic found in Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Flaxseeds adds additional good bacteria to help build that healthy gut.¹²
  
• Flaxseeds promote brain health.
  
  Omega 3 fatty acids are well known for brain development and function and flaxseeds contain an ample amount of them.⁹ Because a child’s brain doubles in size in the first year and is 80% developed by age 3, they need all the Omega 3s they can get!
  
  Flaxseeds also contain iron, which supports cognitive development and behavior.^5,13
  
• Flaxseeds help build strong teeth and bones.
  
  Flaxseeds also contain calcium and magnesium which are the building block for strong teeth and bones.^14,17 Little ones need a good amount of these minerals daily as their bones are developing and growing.
  
  The added benefit of the vegan vitamin D3 found in Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Flaxseeds + Vitamin D & Probiotics helps the calcium found in flaxseeds get absorbed by the body – how cool!¹⁰
  
• Flaxseeds support the immune system.
  
  The ALA and lignans found in flaxseeds have anti-inflammatory effects and favorably influence immune system response.^1,2
  
  The Bacillus Coagulans probiotic found in Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Flaxseeds + Vitamin D & Probiotics also supports immune health by improving the gut barrier to keep pathogens out.¹²
  
• Flaxseeds promote lifelong good health. 
  
  The protein found in flaxseed is made up of a large amount of the amino acids called arginine and glutamine, which are important in the prevention of heart disease.²
  
  Combined with the heart protective benefits the Omega 3-ALA flaxseeds provide, many studies have confirmed that eating flaxseeds daily will reduce cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease overall.¹⁵ This sets your little one’s up for a heart healthy life.
  
  Flaxseed consumption has also been associated with reducing risk of cancer and other major diseases like diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels.¹
  

We recommend the following serving sizes:

• 1 tbsp serving (5g) for babies ages 6-12 months
• 2 tbsp serving (10g) for children ages 1-3 years
• 3 tbsp serving (15g) for kids 4+ years.

If you are just starting to introduce flaxseeds to your little one, then we recommend you start slowly for the first couple of days and gradually build up the serving size. Because of it's high fiber content, your child's digestive system will need a bit of time to adjust to the fiber, especially if they are under 12 months of age. While the risk of an allergic reaction is very low, we recommend you still treat flaxseeds like how you would introduce any new food to your little one - start slow the first day and build up! Also increase water intake with high fiber foods.

Flaxseeds are extremely versatile as they can be added, baked, mixed, or sprinkled onto literally any food or beverage! that you and your little one consume! Below are some ideas to get you started. Visit www.tinysproutsfoods.com for some great recipe ideas too!

• Mix into oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies or overnight oats
• Mix into any baby food puree (store-bought or homemade!)
• Sprinkle on peanut butter toast
• Bake into any of your little one’s favorite treats!

There is no doubt that flaxseeds are an amazing addition to the daily diet of your whole family. Have fun with your little one and help the "sprinkle" some of these "supersprinkles" into their meals. Remind them that superkids deserve superfoods! And super parents need them too so don't forget to get your daily intake as well. Tiny Sprouts Organic Milled Flaxseeds + Vitamin D & Probiotics are great for the entire family!