I picked up a packet of flax seed the other day from the Hispanic grocery where I get my dried chili peppers. Almost all the recipes specifying the use of flax seed indicate it is to be ground into flour to release the nutrients.
I ate of small handful of seeds just tossing them into my mouth and grinding them between my teeth before swallowing. I know flax seed it supposed to move your bowels along. Is this small amount eaten raw going to give me the trots?
I eat anywhere between a quarter and a half cup of milled flax seed every day without noticing any digestive issues. Sometimes cooked, sometimes raw in a smoothie. Milling releases the omega 3 precursors, so you get more nutritional benefit from ground, but you can do a pretty good job with your teeth, given time. It’s high in fiber, and they tell you to build up slowly, but if you’re used to fiber in your diet you should have no problems with a small handful.