Hi Rebecca. It’s better to use ground flaxseed as the whole seeds are too small to break down in your mouth or even in most blenders, you’ll get the full benefit from ground seeds. Either buy them ground (linwoods do a ground version) or use a coffee grinder to grind what you need. They should be stored in the fridge though to keep them fresh as they are an oily food and can go rancid if left in the press.