Updated April 01, 2014.

Flax seeds are great for low-carb diets, as almost all the carbohydrate in them is fiber, so they don't affect blood sugar. They are also packed with nutrients, and have a mild, nutty taste. It's worth finding ways to add them to your daily eating plan.

In-Depth Information about Flax Seeds, With Links to Recipes and Serving Suggestions

Carbohydrate and Fiber Counts for Flax Seeds

• 1 tablespoon whole flax seeds: .2 gram effective (net) carbohydrate plus 3 grams fiber and 55 calories

• 1 tablespoon flax seed meal (ground flax seeds): .1 gram effective (net) carbohydrate plus 2 grams fiber and 37 calories
• 1 oz. whole flax seeds: .5 grams effective (net) carbohydrate plus 8 grams fiber and 150 calories

Glycemic Index for Flax Seeds

As with most nuts and seeds, there is no scientific study of the glycemic index of flax seeds. This is because there is so little starch or sugar in them.
More Information about the Glycemic Index

Estimated Glycemic Load of Flax Seeds

Authorities estimate the glycemic load of flax seeds as zero.
More Information About the Glycemic Load

Health Benefits of Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are an excellent source of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Flax seeds are also good sources of thiamin, which is one of the nutrients that tends to drop in the diets of people cutting carbs. They are also a good source of magnesium, manganese, and copper. Most of the fatty acids in chia seeds are omega-3 fats. They have also been shown to be high in antioxidant activity.

More Carb Profiles:

• Fruits
   

• Vegetables
   
• Nuts and Seeds
   
• Grains and Legumes
   
• Milk, Cream, Soy Milk, etc.

_Sources:

USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 26.