Originally Posted by Trouble

This is a hard case to decide. Gut feeling: add the flax oil after freezing. Either way, the cold temp is going to cause it to separate from the hydrophilic phase. It probably will stick to the sides of the container (coat it) which will reduce its concentration in the shake.

Alternative might be to add crushed ice at the end, or just leave the shake in the refrig and not the freezer. You may like the consistancy, but you pay a price in the compositional quality if you freeze it. I would never freeze thaw the whole whey proteins that have distinct benefits (concentrate) from those of simple very small peptides (isolate). This is why I think the Blend sold by All the Whey might be a superior and surprisingly affordable alternative to either whey concentrate or isolate on their own.

I would also add bran, if you're not already doing so.

By all means freeze the flax oil; it does indeed extend shelf life. However, its utility as an essential oil is questionable. Flax seed ground or whole might be preferrable as its supplies fiber and phytochemicals that are superior in health benefits to the oil itself.

Originally Posted by Trouble

I also encourage folks to add bran (not wheat - rice, barley or oat) for the same reason, but also to help encourage the formation of healthy intestinal microflora .

Originally Posted by drew_c

Excellent response, thank you.

Can you think of an alternative way of adding EFA's to my shake other than flax? Without compromising the flavor that is...

Originally Posted by Trouble

This is a hard case to decide. Gut feeling: add the flax oil after freezing. Either way, the cold temp is going to cause it to separate from the hydrophilic phase. It probably will stick to the sides of the container (coat it) which will reduce its concentration in the shake.

Alternative might be to add crushed ice at the end, or just leave the shake in the refrig and not the freezer. You may like the consistancy, but you pay a price in the compositional quality if you freeze it. I would never freeze thaw the whole whey proteins that have distinct benefits (concentrate) from those of simple very small peptides (isolate). This is why I think the Blend sold by All the Whey might be a superior and surprisingly affordable alternative to either whey concentrate or isolate on their own.

I would also add bran, if you're not already doing so.

By all means freeze the flax oil; it does indeed extend shelf life. However, its utility as an essential oil is questionable. Flax seed ground or whole might be preferrable as its supplies fiber and phytochemicals that are superior in health benefits to the oil itself.