Omega-3 fatty acids are important fat that play vital roles in your well being, similar to supporting your coronary heart and lowering irritation.
Whereas salmon is among the many finest sources of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), offering 1.24 grams of DHA and 0.59 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving, there are many different shelf-stable alternate options that may make it simpler to get your every day dose of omega-3s.
Listed here are 7 of the very best omega-3-rich choices you possibly can hold stocked in your pantry.
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Omega-3 content material per serving: Cod liver oil is a extra concentrated supply of DHA and EPA than salmon, offering 1.5 grams of DHA and 0.938 grams of EPA per tablespoon.
Consuming cod liver oil recurrently has been proven to cut back markers of irritation, like C-reactive protein, and reduce levels of cholesterol.
Cod liver oil is a wonderful supply of vitamin A, which is important for immune operate, imaginative and prescient, cognitive operate, and reproductive well being, and vitamin D, which is required for immune operate, bone well being, and muscle operate.
How one can use it: Cod liver oil is a complement out there in liquid and capsule kind. It’s finest to speak to your healthcare supplier relating to dosing.
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Omega-3 content material per serving: Sardines include an analogous quantity of omega-3s as salmon, offering 0.74 grams of DHA and 0.45 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving.
Sardines are so wealthy in omega-3s that recurrently together with them in your weight-reduction plan could cut back the necessity for a separate omega-3 complement. Additionally they present protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and different important vitamins.
One other bonus is that sardines are decrease within the heavy steel mercury than salmon. “As a result of sardines are comparatively small, short-lived, and low on the meals chain, they accumulate considerably much less mercury than bigger fish,” Steph Greunke, MS, RD, CPT, PMH-C, informed Well being.
How one can use it: Canned sardines will be way more handy than making ready uncooked or frozen fish, like salmon. “Merely add them to a salad, combine with mayo and make a sandwich, or take pleasure in with crackers,” stated Greunke.
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Omega-3 content material per serving: Anchovies are tiny fish which can be filled with omega-3s, offering a powerful 1.09 grams of DHA and 0.648 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving.
Anchovies are additionally excessive in nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with calcium, iron, and selenium.
“Anchovies additionally present iodine, which will be difficult to acquire from different meals,” stated Greunke. Iodine is important for the manufacturing of thyroid hormones, which regulate your metabolism, power ranges, physique temperature, and development.
How one can use it: Get pleasure from anchovies by including them to pastas and salads, or consuming them straight out of the can or on toast for a protein-rich snack. “When attainable, search for varieties which can be wild or sustainably sourced and both packaged of their pure oil or water,” really helpful Greunke.
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Omega-3 content material per serving: Omega-3 dietary supplements are shelf-stable, making them a wonderful various to salmon. They usually present between 500–2,000 milligrams of mixed EPA and DHA per serving
Most well being organizations advocate a mixed consumption of 250–500 mg per day of EPA and DHA for wholesome adults.
How one can use it: Omega-3 dietary supplements will be taken at any time and are a superb possibility for individuals who don’t like seafood, which is a major supply of omega-3s.
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Omega-3 content material per serving: Caviar could also be dear, nevertheless it’s a shelf-stable and handy supply of omega-3s. Two tablespoons of caviar present 1.2 grams of DHA and 0.88 grams of EPA, making it a way more concentrated supply than salmon.
Caviar can also be filled with nutritional vitamins and minerals, like B12, which is required for neurological operate, metabolism, crimson blood cell manufacturing, and DNA synthesis. It additionally has choline, a nutrient that performs vital roles in neurotransmitter manufacturing and fetal mind improvement.
How one can use it: Caviar is scrumptious on crackers or blinis and makes an ideal addition to cheese and snack plates.
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Omega-3 content material per serving: Flaxseed oil is the richest plant supply of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) you possibly can eat. It has 7.26 grams of ALA per tablespoon.
ALA additionally has anti-inflammatory results, and analysis exhibits that growing your consumption of ALA-rich meals, like flaxseed oil, could assist decrease the chance of coronary heart illness.
How one can use it: Flaxseed oil isn’t appropriate for cooking and needs to be taken as a complement or used as a ending oil for dishes like salads and grain bowls.
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Omega-3 content material per serving: Chia seeds are extremely nutritious, offering a shelf-stable supply of ALA, plus fiber, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. They supply 5.06 grams of ALA per 1-ounce serving.
Not like animal-based sources of omega-3s, like salmon, chia seeds present fiber, a nutrient that helps intestine well being. It encourages the expansion of useful micro organism within the massive gut and retains bowel actions common and cozy.
They’re additionally excessive in magnesium, a mineral that helps you preserve wholesome blood sugar and blood strain ranges.
How one can use it: Combine chia seeds in oatmeal and baked items or make a chia pudding for a fast and simple breakfast.
From cod liver oil to anchovies, there are many shelf-stable meals that pack comparable quantities of omega-3s as salmon.
Should you’re not a fan of salmon or just need a extra reasonably priced and longer-lasting omega-3 supply, think about stocking your pantry with a number of the merchandise listed above.
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