Flaxseed vegan banana bread

There are many gut health benefits from flax seeds.

Flax seeds are natural binders (they bind to toxins and heavy metals in the gut), help some people move their bowels, balance hormones (helping the liver clean estrogen from the blood), feed beneficial bacteria and are full of anti inflammatory omegas (great for skin and hair health).

They don’t work for everyone and I will explain why below. But if you can tolerate flax seeds, I have a delicious ways to consume them.

These muffins are insanely healthy and fruit sweetened but they don’t taste as healthy as they are. In other words, they taste like delicious banana bread minus the inflammatory gluten or sugar.

The many benefits of flaxseeds

This flaxseed banana bread will feed millions of beneficial bacteria and make them very, happy. And when they’re happy, you’re happy.

The lignans and fiber in flaxseeds help lower bad cholesterol, and fight cancer cells. Lignans are good for heart health as they help reduce the formation of arterial plaque.

The fiber content helps balance blood sugar, a bonus when enjoying treats. In moderation, this is a good treat for diabetics because the fiber, fat and protein will counteract the blood sugar spike from bananas.

This is the kind of treat you can eat with adrenal fatigue because it won’t disturb blood sugar balance. Blood sugar levels need to be stable to recover the adrenals, which regulate the stress response and control inflammation.

Flaxseeds are also high in manganese, a nutrient that fights anemia and osteoporosis.

Phytoestrogens in flaxseeds are good for menopausal women. Some studies have shown that flaxseeds can reduce incidence of menopausal hot flashes.

Flaxseeds are high in antioxidants, which fight oxidative stress.

These treats are anti inflammatory due to the omega content.

A wonderful way to indulge and still treat yourself well.

Drawbacks of flaxseeds

Flaxseeds contain an equal amount of soluble and insoluble fiber. While insoluble fiber can help with constipation and weight loss for some people, for those with bacterial overgrowth, it can trigger digestive symptoms like gas or bloating. That’s why some people need to avoid or minimize insoluble fiber to control symptoms.

If consumed in excess, flaxseeds could slow thyroid function. But I never advise consuming anything in excess. In excess, anything can be harmful.

The phytic acid in flaxseeds could interfere with the absorption of iron and should not be eaten with iron-rich foods like meats, seafood, beans or spinach.

Free of common food sensitivities

The most common food sensitivities are wheat, cow dairy, corn, peanuts, and eggs. This treat is free of all of them.

I gave up eating eggs 8 months ago because a food sensitivity test revealed I was sensitive.

Since then, I have been exploring vegan baking and that’s how this treat was born. Flaxseeds and bananas are natural binders that can substitute for eggs in baked goods.

I used pea protein milk in this recipe but any nondairy milk will work. I also used tiger nut butter (I’m sensitive to almonds and cashews) but any nut or seed butter would work.

Substitutions

This only has four ingredients.

I love simple recipes because less ingredients makes it easy to make and easier to digest. No baking soda or yeast needed. The cardamom, cinnamon and cocoa powder are optional for an extra boost of flavor. Or add pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist.

If bananas give you histamine issues try making this with 1 cup of apple sauce instead.

Substitution for nut sensitives: try tigernut butter. This is a root veggie is commonly grown in Spain and Africa.

For a chocolatey experience, mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into an extra 1/2 cup of nut butter and a splash of maple syrup. Spoon this chocolate nut butter on top of the muffin dough before baking.

4 ingredient flax banana bread

Ingredients

2 large very ripe or over ripe bananas or 3 small bananas, mashed

2/3 cup of flaxseed flour (grind flaxseeds in the blender) 

1/4 cup of non dairy milk (I used pea protein milk but any milk will do) 

1/2 cup of drippy nut or seed butter (I used one that had a lot of oil in it) or try tigernut butter

Optional topping: 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 to 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder mixed with nut butter and maple syrup

Optional flavorings: Cinnamon and cardamom (a heaping 1/4 teaspoon of each)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 

Mash bananas in a bowl with a fork

Add the ground flaxseeds (grind flaxseeds in a blender to make flaxseed flour)

Add the nut butter and mix everything

Optional: add cinnamon, cardamom and/or vanilla and or top with chocolate nut butter. (Mix extra nut butter with cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla)

Add the milk and mix (it should form a batter consistency) add more milk a tablespoon at a time until you have that consistency

Pour into muffin tins (should make about 6) and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Don’t worry you can’t over bake it because it has no eggs.  

Let cool and enjoy!

If you make this I would love to see your creations on Facebook or instagram. Please tag me @doityourselfhealth