its good to crush or grind them. you can buy flax meal, or grind whole seeds in a clean coffee grinder. whole seeds tend to pass right through without breaking down. sprinkle the ground seeds over fruit salads, grain salads (ie: tabouli, or quinoa or rice salad), or any other food which is not too hot in temperature, to retain their nutritional value. i like to put them in my green salads. they lend a good flavor and heartiness! enjoy...