Incorporating Omega-3s Into Your Diet
Omega-3s can be found in various foods, from salmon to walnuts to eggs. It's easy to get all of the omega-3 fatty acids you need by adding certain foods into your diet. Our bodies do not naturally produce omega-3s, so it's important to incorporate the right foods that are rich in these essential fatty acids.
Although all eggs naturally contain omega-3s, it's possible to buy eggs with even higher amounts of these healthy fats. These levels vary by brand, but they're primarily affected by what the hens' diets. When hens eat foods with natural sources of omega-3s, such as the canola oil and flax seeds in Eggland's Best feed, the essential fatty-acid levels in their eggs are significantly boosted.
Eggland's Best eggs contain twice the amount of omega-3 fatty acids of ordinary eggs because of the hens' premium feed. Each week, EB eggs are inspected for omega-3 content to ensure that they contain optimal levels of omega-3s.
Two types of omega-3s in eggs are ALA and DHA. The ALA, naturally found in flaxseeds, is transformed into DHA in the hen's system, and both omega-3s are transferred into the egg yolk. DHA is also found in oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, and trout, and ALA is also found in walnuts, canola oil, and chia seeds. It's a good idea to vary a healthy diet to keep things interesting, and there are thankfully plenty of flavorful foods that are rich in health-boosting omegas.
Omega-3s offer a variety of benefits for your health. They are a key nutrient to help combat inflammatory illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. DHA can help lower blood fat and may aid in infant eye and neurological development. Some studies have shown that fish oil may help the effects of antidepressants and could help bipolar disorder. The key fatty acids in fish oils are also in eggs.
It's always important to remember that your hunt for essential fatty acids does not restrict you from enjoying a wide variety of healthy foods. A well-balanced diet incorporating a wide spectrum of foods, coupled with a healthy attitude toward nutritious food, will always ensure that what you put into your body will keep you strong and healthy. Just like those Eggland's Best hens.