When it comes to the benefits of omega 3, most of us have heard by now that we should be including more of these essential fats into our diet. However, how many of us can actually rattle off a list of foods rich in omega-3?
Well, we’ve done the homework for you. Most of these are foods that I make sure to include in my diet on a daily basis.
Of course, the best high omega 3 food is fatty fish, the one most of us already know about. But realistically, most of us are simply not going to consume enough of these types of beneficial fish on a weekly basis to get the amount of these fats that we really need for optimal brain function and heart health.
That’s why it’s important to become familiar with this list so the next time you are grocery shopping you can pick up some of these other healthy foods.
1. Nuts - just like with fish, not all nuts are created equal. Walnuts are the highest in omega 3′s. Almonds, on the other hand, are a very poor source. One strategy I like to use is to chunk up walnuts, raw, and put them into a plain yogurt and throw some berries in there, such as strawberries and blueberries. This adds a delicious crunch to a healthy snack.
2. Eggs. Eggs have gotten a really bad rap over the years because of the hysteria about saturated fats. In reality, eggs are one of the healthiest foods you can eat, being very high in protein and basically non-existent in carbs. Most people mistakenly throw the yolks out too thinking the whites are the healthiest part. Not true! The yolks are rich in the vital DHA omega 3 fatty acids that is so important for good brain functioning, heart health, and eyesight. Stick to cage-free, naturally fed hen laid eggs. Preferably, buy from a local farmers market.
3. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil – As I mentioned on a different blog post and in some videos, I personally use a cold-pressed organic flax oil daily…I just take a tablespoon or two a day. I have to admit it doesn’t taste great, but it’s easy to just put some in your mouth and then wash it down with a bit of water, juice, or something else. Also, another great strategy is to mix it into yogurts or salads, and then you almost don’t taste it at all anymore. That’s what I do with my kids and they even ask for it to make sure I’ve given it to them…so it can’t taste that bad!
4. Leafy greens. We all know that veggies like spinach and kale are good for us. But most of us don’t know that one of the reasons they are so good for us is because they are a high omega 3 food. One strategy I use to get more of these is to cook spinach into my scrambled eggs in the morning. It tastes soft and moist and actually very delicious.
5. Seaweed – Seaweed may sound unappealing to some but I assure you it’s quite tasty. It’s also very rich in DHA omega 3 fats. In fact, did you know that the best fish sources of these fats contain DHA because they eat seaweed and algae? If these fish didn’t naturally eat seaweed and algae they wouldn’t be a good source of omega-3. Well, why not go right to the source and eat seaweed directly? How do I do it? When I shop at Whole Foods market, I will make my own salad at their salad bar and they almost always have a fresh seaweed selection and I put some seaweed on top of my salad. It’s actually very tasty.
6. Beans – Some beans are a great source of ALA omega 3, specifically kidney beans.
Omega 3 Food List to Avoid
This is going to sound odd, but we think there are omega 3 foods you should avoid consuming. Primarily, any food that is fortifying omega-3 into it that doesn’t naturally have it should be avoided. This is akin to putting lipstick on a pig, and, in our opinion, is used to justify eating unhealthier foods.
For example, most people take in way too many carbohydrates. Nowadays, grains and breads and cereals are being fortified with omega 3. You should be minimizing your exposure to these foods, and certainly not consuming more just because the manufacturer is trying to jump on the omega 3 crazy by fortifying these foods artificially.
Another is milk and dairy. I know that most people have been brought up to believe milk is good for you. Well, it’s not. I’m not here to make a larger argument, but there are much better sources of calcium…such as greens from broccoli. If you want to drink milk, drink a much healthier choice: coconut milk,which contains no dairy! However, the point is milk and dairy products are now being fortified with omega 3′s and most should be minimized or avoided, with the exception of yogurt which has beneficial probiotics.
Stick to natural sources of foods rich in omega-3 and you’ll probably be feeling the difference in short order.
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/omega-3-dha-11/slideshow-omega-3-shopping?ecd=wnl_chl_071211