Banana-Flaxseed Bread

Grinding the flaxseeds enables your body to get all the benefit of their fiber, lignans, and omega-3s. There's added fiber here from whole-wheat flour; and olive oil replaces butter for a healthier loaf.

1/2 cup whole flaxseeds
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup extra-light olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 whole egg
1 egg white
1-1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 2 medium)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 9" x 5" loaf pan.
2. In mini-food processor or coffee grinder, process flaxseeds until finely ground, 20 to 30 seconds.
3. In large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground flaxseeds. In medium bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, whole egg, egg white, and bananas. Make a well in center of flour mixture and pour in banana mixture. Stir until just combined. Stir in walnuts.
4. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then run a spatula around the edge of loaf to loosen and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 10 slices

Nutrition Information (values are per slice)

223 calories o 11 g total fat (1.1g saturated) o 18 mg cholesterol o 2.4 g dietary fiber (0.5 g soluble) o 30 g carbohydrate o 5 g protein o 175 mg sodium

Source: UC Berkeley WellnessLetter.com