Keto Diet Foods List & Plan: What to Eat and Avoid for Beginners
Foods you can eat on a keto diet · Meat and poultry · Fatty seafood · Oils and fats · Dairy and eggs · Low-carb vegetables · Nuts · Berries · Beverages.
rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Also rich in protein and B vitamins, many kinds of fish are free of carbohydrates, like salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, and other fatty fish you can find fresh at any seafood counter. Unlike meat, however, seafood is <anchor>rich in omega-3 fatty acids</anchor>, a form of polyunsaturated fats (a good source of fat!) that are linked to reducing the risk of chronic disease across the board.
The One Nutrient You Probably Aren't Getting Enough Of, According to a Nutritionist
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# The One Nutrient You Probably Aren't Getting Enough Of, According to a Nutritionist

And how to easily incorporate it into your diet.

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You've probably heard that omega-3s are good for you—I tell my friends all the time!—but do you know how important they really are?

Here’s the deal: Omega-3 fatty acids are an umbrella term used to describe a type of oil that’s rich in polyunsaturated fats (one of the healthy fats) and linked to reduced risk of chronic disease.

There are three types of omega-3s: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). DHA and EPA come predominantly from algae and, therefore, the fish and seafood that eats the algae. Meanwhile alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in plants and plant-based oils, like flaxseed, canola, and soybean.

## Why do I need omega-3s?

Higher levels of DHA and EPA are linked to a reduced risk of chronic disease—including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers—as well as anxiety and depression (especially in women), and may also help alleviate joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Since omega-3 fatty acids play various roles in cell function and immunity, they contribute in a huge way to virtually all organ systems in your body. The top three benefits include:

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## ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BENEFITS

Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation by increasing cell membrane fluidity, which helps to inhibit proinflammatory pathways that ultimately damage cells, leading to increased chronic disease risk over time.

Research shows that having adequate daily amounts (250mg) of EPA and DHA can be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, as they can help with stiffness and pain.

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## PRENATAL BENEFITS

During pregnancy, women have a higher conversion rate of ALA, EPA, and DHA to meet the demands of fetal brain development. EPA and DHA are crucial for proper development and function, especially for neurological and immune systems as well as the development of fetal retina. They can also help reduce your risk of post-partum depression and depression throughout your lifespan.

Meanwhile, DHA is a major structural component of the central nervous system and the retina.

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## HEART HEALTH BENEFITS

Recent research found that overweight men and women who were assigned a diet including omega-3 rich salmon twice per week had lower serum cholesterol, which is a key indicator for lowered cardiovascular disease risk.

But while adequate intake of EPA and DHA is shown to help with specific biomarkers linked to heart disease, keep in mind that one piece of salmon won’t “cancel out” heart disease risk if your diet is otherwise filled with loads of sugary beverages, deep-fried and fast-foods, processed meats, sugary cereals, pastries, ice cream…you get the point.

## How many omega-3s do I actually need?

The National Academy of Medicine recommends a Dietary Reference Intake for ALA of 1.1g per day for women, while the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that the general population consume a combined 250mg of EPA and DHA per day.

Your body converts small amounts of ALA to DHA and EPA, but it’s not enough to actually raise blood levels of these fatty acids if you’re not also consuming them in some other form (i.e. via food or supplement).

In fact, a 2018 study found that 100% of the American population aren’t meeting the recommended servings of seafood per week (8-12 oz), while 95% of women between the ages of 15 and 44) don’t meet the recommended 250mg requirement.

That’s why it’s so important to add these crucial nutrients to your diet ASAP. Since your body needs about three weeks to build up a supply of DHA and EPA, adding more food sources and considering supplementation can help you to meet your needs sooner, putting you on the right track to better health.

## Where can I find omega-3s?

## SEAFOOD

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Fish is the most popular source of omega-3s, but as an R.D., I’m often asked whether or not it’s “safe to eat fish” or “how can I get omega-3’s without eating seafood?!” To the former, I say this: Eating a mixed variety of seafood is important for general health and wellbeing, thanks to its vitamin D, lean protein, antioxidants, and differing levels of EPA and DHA.

It’s also (IMO) delicious, but fish isn’t for everyone: It’s gotten a murky rep over the years, due to a prevailing stigma about seafood containing mercury and the impact it has to your health. Some people just simply don’t like the taste or texture of it, and others follow a vegan/vegetarian diet.

Choose seafood that's highest in DHA and EPA, such as:

- Salmon
- Arctic Char
- Sardines
- Sea bass
- Oysters
- Rainbow trout
- Herring
- Mussels

## PLANT-BASED FOODS

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Regardless of where you fall on the seafood-loving scale, it's still essential that you fill your grocery cart with plant-based sources of omega-3 filled foods.

The highest plant-based sources of ALA are walnuts, chia, flax, and hemp seeds, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and soybeans. But you should also throw the following foods into the cart, too:

- Nuts and seeds
- Veggies
- Legumes
- Polyunsaturated oils derived from nuts and seeds, like canola, corn, peanut, walnut, avocado, olive, sesame, flaxseed, and chia seeds

## SUPPLEMENTS

If you’ve ever heard the term, “You are what you eat,” well, then you may already be familiar with this one! Fish and krill get their omega-3s from the food that they eat—marine plants including various types of algae and seaweed. You can find omega-3 supplements that contain both EPA and DHA as well as ALA in the form of algal, fish, or krill oil.

To meet your needs, you'll need to aim for about 1g of total omega-3s (and particularly, 250mg of combined DHA and EPA). Much of the research out there to-date has shown that these levels are beneficial regardless of your current life stage, while consuming seafood in addition to an omega-3 supplement may be an added bonus for long-term heart health and chronic disease risk.

## Which omega-3 supplement is right for me?

There’s a good chance you’ve taken fish oil for a spin before, but—like most people— abandoned it the second you experienced that very specific aftertaste or were left feeling nauseated. The beauty of algal oil, on the other hand, is that it’s tasteless, so you’re much less likely to experience that discomfort and nausea-inducing fishy taste.

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Another benefit of choosing algal oil-based supplements is that they’re considered vegan, which means that if you are choosing to opt out of seafood (or even if you aren't), you can still meet your needs. Plus, using this DHA/EPA source to make supplements shows promising sustainability benefits and may help to decrease overfishing in the U.S.

While research on algal oil is still ongoing (and more is needed to determine its long-term benefits in decreasing chronic disease risk and for their impact on specific populations) there have been some promising early studies that link the microalga to improved health parameters and biomarkers.

Bottom line: Much of the literature to-date suggest that algal oil may be comparable in terms of the bioavailability (aka, usability of your body) and may be absorbed more efficiently—one study even found a higher absorption rate of algal oil as compared to fish and krill oil.

## iWi® Algae Omega-3

Credit: iWi

You’ll want to do some research before taking any dietary supplement, but for anyone looking to start, iWi’s Algae Omega-3 is a good option. It’s made from a type of algae called Nannochloropsis, which some small, early research has linked to improving digestion, absorption, and blood levels of EPA. Since it’s made from a plant-based source (and farmed in the U.S. using sustainable growing practices), the supplement provides up to 280mg of EPA and DHA, so you can meet your needs ASAP and mitigate environmental concerns.

Keep in mind that supplements are not evaluated for safety and efficacy by the FDA. So, no matter the supplement source (plant vs. animal/marine), you should always check ingredient labels and speak with your physician before starting a supplement regimen.

Headshot of Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

A registered dietitian with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University, Jaclyn “Jackie” London handled all of Good Housekeeping’s nutrition-related content, testing, and evaluation from 2014 to 2019. Prior to joining GH, she was a clinical dietitian at Mount Sinai Hospital. Jackie has also appeared as an expert guest on The Dr. Oz Show and The Today Show. She is also author of the book Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked).

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