How to Get Your Omega-3 if You're Allergic to Fish
Can't eat seafood? Don’t worry. Follow these suggestions and get all the omega-3 you need.
There are many signs of omega-3 deficiencies including depression, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, fatigue, dry, itch skin, brittle hair and nails, trouble concentrating and joint pain. But, what if you're allergic to seafood and fish oil? How do you get enough omega-3 to stay healthy? Here are some ideas.
Try These Omega-3 Alternatives
Fish, seafood, and fish oil supplements aren't the only way to get the omega-3 your body needs to function properly. Other foods are high in essential fatty acids and give you the same benefits. Some of these foods are:
Flax seeds
Walnuts
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Cloves
Mustard seeds
Tofu
Soybeans
Kale
Collard greens
Brussels sprouts
Romaine lettuce
Winter squash
Turnip greens
Strawberries
Green beans
Raspberries
Miso
Olive oil
Omega-3 Meal Ideas
For a healthy omega-3 breakfast, try adding walnuts to your oatmeal or flax seeds to your morning smoothie. Just 1/4 cup of walnuts and 2 tablespoons of flax seed give you all the omega-3 you need. Make a breakfast frittata using tofu, kale, onion, bell pepper and chopped tomatoes
Lunches can consist of Chef or Caesar salads made with romaine lettuce and kale topped with walnuts along with your other favorite ingredients. Try adding canned soybeans for an extra punch of omega-3.
At dinnertime, try tofu or miso stir-fry. Or, have your usual entre and add a side dish of broccoli, cauliflower, greens, green beans, winter squash, salad or Brussels sprouts. You can easily pick and choose from the selection of foods listed above and manage to get a serving of omega-3 at each meal.
You can also increase your omega-3 levels by making olive oil salad dressings. Although many people shy away from oils because of worries about fat intake, olive oil is a good source of essential fatty acids. Instead of using store-bought salad dressings that are loaded with sugar and chemicals, make a healthy dressing by combining three tablespoons of olive oil with one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Add different herbs and spices to change the flavor.
Don't let your health suffer just because you're allergic to fish. Start eating these foods every day and get your omega-3 the healthy and natural way.
