Vegans, how do you get your omega-3 fatty acid?!
Vegans, how do you get your omega-3 fatty acid?
I am a vegetarian... I think. I don't eat any meat. I only eat some fish like tuna, sardines and salmon once in a while. I heard a lot of stuff about the dangers of mercury in tuna. but If I decide to go vegan, where would I get Omega-3 from? Thanks.
Answers:
You are not vegetarian. Tuna, sardines and salmon are animals, with feelings and the ability to feel pain. You cannot even imagine the pain a fish goes through, experiencing the decompression that comes from being yanked out of the depths of the ocean by a supertrawler.
The highest levels (per gram or millilitre) of Omega 3 found in any substance known to man, animal, vegetable or mineral, is the oil extracted from a special seed of the plant called Flax. Just run a search for Flaxseed oil on the web, and voila. You may also want to look into Safflower oil, and sunflower oil, although these have lower percentiles. Flaxseed oil has a rich nutty flavour, and is safe to consume pure and as a liquid, but it is highly susceptible to heat, so it must be kept refridgerated, and served cold. I like to add the smallest drizzle to my breakfast cereal in the morning. It's also very inexpensive compared to fish, will last longer it it's environment (so you can buy in bulk in confidence), and if you don't like the taste it is also available in capsules from the pharmacy, over the counter without prescription. Too easy.
A fish/bird eater is a piscovore. Spread the correct term.
You can purchase Omega 3 oil or capsules at health food stores, or organic stores. There are also oils in certain nuts, like flaxseeds, walnuts, pine nuts, pecans are the best but are expensive here in Canada. Olive Oil to cook with or even on Your salads. I do not use any other oils for cooking. Make sure when you purchase the capsules or oil that it is not rancid. Have them open it before you buy it and if it is rancid they pay for it, if it isn't you pay for it. I do not eat tuna any more at all since I found out that it is high in mercury. I buy the wild salmon occasionally,but it is very expensive unless you can get a sale somewhere. I buy the canned salmon and also you can buy sardines(which is the best in Omega 3 because you eat all of the fish,the smaller the better) and canned mackeral is another. As for the flaxseed I mentioned earlier, you can buy the flaxseed oil and that is cheaper. Advocados also have Omega 3
Try flaxeed. You can put about a spoonful or two into every serving of oatmeal, yoghurt, milkshakes etc to give it a slightly nutty flavor, and a healthy dose of omega 3 fatty acid.
can you eat butter? lately on Flora butter, there's a new one with omega-3. Also, continiou the sardins, they are very good. But not everyday, twice a week.
Chick peas are very good energy too. i don't know what type of vitamins, but great ...
Vegetarians dont eat fish but thats besides the point. Sprinkle flax seed in your meals.
Flaxseed has omega 3's . You can put flaxseed powder in smoothies or in breads.
Or you can grind the seeds into powder in a coffee grinder or flour mill...I think (not sure ...have never done)?
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Most people consume too much fat, but few people get enough of the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats can be found in walnuts, canola oil, and flax seeds, Avocado. For maximum absorbtion, flax seeds should be ground up in a blender or coffee grinder, then added to smoothies or sprinkled on top of other foods. Flax seeds are also rich in protein, potassium, magnesium, boron, and lignans, which may help prevent cancer.
you would be considered a pescatarian if you eat fish but no meat. Vegetarians eat no animal flesh at all. You can easily get your omega 3 and 6 from flax seed. I am allergic to egg and use it as an egg substitute in baking. If you put ground flax in warm water, it will gel up and be the exact consistancy as an egg. It much healthier than fish based omegas.
As many people have already said, ground raw flax seed, flax seed oil, walnuts, canola oil, olive oil, avocado has a small amount of omega 3 but has more of omega 6, even a few kinds of vegetables have a small amount of omega 3 (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage)
Here is a good web sight that will show you the goodness in many kinds of foods. http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php...
If you are going vegan you should know that taking vitamin B12 from red star yeast or from vitamin is important. Also from fortified products like soy milk. Vitamin B12 comes from bacteria, the bacteria that produces B12 can come from soil, manure, unpurified water, animal flesh, eggs, and milk. Wild herbivorous animals get their B12 from eating food close to or touching the soil, from unpurified water, and some animals will consume their own or other animals droppings for certain vitamins and bacteria. Humans have a little trouble getting B12 because we like to wash, disinfect, and purify our environment, food, and water.
I use red star yeast, it tastes a bit like mild cheese, you can sprinkle it on your food or even make mock cheese sauce with it. You can buy it from a health food store. Your other option would be to take it in pill form, or to make sure you eat enough fortified foods.
Hemp seed/oil is also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
I get most of my omega-3 from Earth Balance margerine. But as others have said, walnuts and flax are also good sources. Pumpkin also contains omega-3.
That's great that you are looking into giving up fish. Once you do that you'll be vegetarian.