Flaxseeds

nuts-seeds

Flaxseeds

8/ 10Excellent
Controversy: 5.0

Rated by 11 diets

9 approve1 caution1 avoid
Is Flaxseeds Healthy?

Yes — Flaxseeds is broadly considered healthy. 9 out of 11 diets approve it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g
Calories
534kcal
Protein
18g
Carbs
29g
Fat
42g
Fiber
27g
Sugar
1.6g
Sodium
30mg

Diet Ratings

Keto9/10APPROVED

Flaxseeds contain 1.5g net carbs per ounce (mostly fiber) with 8.3g fat and 4.3g protein. Excellent omega-3 source and high fiber. Ideal keto food. Ground flaxseeds preferred for absorption.

Vegan9/10APPROVED

Whole plant food with omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, fiber, and minerals. Minimally processed. Excellent nutritional density.

Paleo8/10APPROVED

Flaxseeds are whole, unprocessed seeds available to Paleolithic humans. Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Universally accepted in paleo diets. No processing required.

Mediterranean8/10APPROVED

Excellent plant-based omega-3 source with high fiber and lignans. Minimally processed whole food. Strongly encouraged as Mediterranean-compatible addition to diet.

Carnivore1/10AVOID

Plant seeds explicitly excluded from carnivore diet. Plant-based omega-3 source with no animal products.

Whole309/10APPROVED

Whole flaxseeds are compliant Whole30 foods. They are unprocessed seeds with no excluded ingredients, providing omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.

Low-FODMAP8/10APPROVED

Flaxseeds are low-FODMAP at standard serving sizes (1-2 tablespoons or 15-30g per Monash). High in insoluble fiber which is not fermentable. Minimal fermentable carbohydrates present.

DASH9/10APPROVED

Core DASH seed. Exceptional source of omega-3 ALA, fiber, and lignans. Low sodium. Supports cardiovascular and digestive health. Ground flaxseeds have better bioavailability than whole seeds. Excellent nutrient density.

Zone6/10CAUTION

Flaxseeds are excellent omega-3 ALA source (2.3g per tablespoon) and provide fiber, but are carb-dense (3g per tablespoon) and low in protein (1.3g per tablespoon). Useful for anti-inflammatory benefit but requires careful portioning.

Anti-Inflammatory9/10APPROVED

Excellent source of ALA omega-3 and lignans with antioxidant properties. High in soluble fiber supporting gut microbiome. Well-researched for anti-inflammatory benefits. Dr. Weil specifically recommends flaxseeds. Best consumed ground for bioavailability.

GLP-1 Friendly8/10APPROVED

Flaxseeds provide excellent fiber (2.8g per tbsp), good protein (1.3g per tbsp), and omega-3 fatty acids (2.3g per tbsp, mostly unsaturated). Nutrient-dense per calorie. Work well in small portions. Support digestive health and prevent constipation. Easy to digest when ground. Don't trigger GLP-1 side effects.

Controversy Index

Score range: 19/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus5.0Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Flaxseeds

Keto 9/10
  • 1.5g net carbs per ounce
  • High fiber content (8g per ounce)
  • Omega-3 rich
  • Lignans and phytonutrients
Vegan 9/10
  • Whole food
  • Omega-3 rich
  • Lignans present
  • High fiber
Paleo 8/10
  • Whole, unprocessed food
  • Ancestrally available
  • High omega-3 content
  • Nutrient-dense
Mediterranean 8/10
  • High omega-3 content
  • Excellent fiber source
  • Lignans and antioxidants
  • Minimal processing
Whole30 9/10
  • Whole, unprocessed seed
  • No excluded ingredients
  • Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber
Low-FODMAP 8/10
  • Monash-tested at 1-2 tablespoons (15-30g) as low-FODMAP
  • High insoluble fiber (non-fermentable)
  • Very low carbohydrate content
  • Well-tolerated in elimination phase
DASH 9/10
  • High omega-3 ALA content
  • Excellent fiber source
  • Rich in lignans (antioxidants)
  • Low sodium
  • Grind before consumption for better absorption
Zone 6/10
  • Excellent omega-3 ALA
  • High fiber
  • Low protein
  • Carb-dense
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • ALA omega-3 content
  • Lignans and antioxidants
  • Soluble fiber
  • Microbiome support
  • Bioavailability when ground
  • excellent fiber content
  • good protein density
  • omega-3 rich
  • mostly unsaturated fat
  • nutrient-dense
  • small portion friendly
  • prevents constipation
Last reviewed: Our methodology