There are some foods that are rich in Omega 3s because they are a natural source of the oil. Other foods are fortified with DHA and EPA.
Omega 3 is good for your body. For many different reasons.
There are some foods that are rich in Omega 3s because they are a natural source of the oil. Other foods are fortified with DHA and EPA. While both foods are healthy and will certainly increase the amount of the natural oil in the body, some doctors believe the natural sources are the best way to go. Natural sources tend to be more easily digested and utilized by the body than fortified foods. Some of the best natural sources of Omega 3s include:
Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oils
Flaxseed needs to be ground within 24 hours in order to maintain the high levels of Omega 3s present in the seed. The flaxseed oils need to be refrigerated until they are used. The oils can go rancid if they are not refrigerated.
Fish
The best source of Omega 3s are fish. These are some species of fish that contain higher concentrations of Omega 3s like salmon and sardines. It is important for children and pregnant women to eat fish that are high in Omega 3s, but low in mercury. The fish with the lowest levels of mercury are canned tuna, salmon, Pollock and catfish.
Walnuts
Walnuts have been called the Omega 3 super food and for good reason. Just ¼ cup of walnuts contains 2.5 grams of Omega 3s. In addition to walnuts, walnut butter can be used in place of peanut butter to increase Omega 3s in the diet.
Soybeans and soy
Soy is huge in the Omega 3 market. With the popularity of soy milk, consumers have an easy way to increase the amount of Omega 3s they consume everyday without the huge calorie intake associated with cold water fish and nuts. There is only 0.2 grams of Omega 3s per 8 ounce serving of traditional soy milk, but several brands are available on the market fortified with DHA to increase the total amount of Omega 3s. The natural soybean can also be consumed to increase Omega 3s in the diet.