Why You Should Eat Your Chia Pet
You’ve probably already heard or read about the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. And you may be wondering what the best food sources of these vital oils are.
If you enjoy fish, the following contain high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - the two most important Omega-3 fatty acids:
- wild salmon
- herring
- anchioves
- sardines
- albacore tuna
- mackerel
The American Heart Association recommends 2 servings per week. I would not recommend more because of concerns about mercury levels and other contaminants in wild fish. And farm raised fish don’t seem to be as high in health benefits.
Don’t like fish? You may want to eat your chia pet (just the plant, not the planter). No kidding. Chia, flax seeds, lingonberries and kiwi are good sources of ALA (alpha linolenic acid), a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. Unfortunately, you would need to eat a large quantity of all of these substances to supply your body with enough ALA to convert into the more beneficial EPA and DHA that are naturally found in fish.
You could also eat more EPA and DHA rich Omega-3 eggs. These are created when chickens are fed flax seeds. Apparently, chickens are a lot more efficient at converting the ALA found in flax seeds to EPA and DHA. But then you are also increasing your intake of cholesterol and saturated fat.
The best way to increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids may be fish oil supplements. Which ones and how much should you take? Click here to read more.