Best Plant Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Flax seeds are high in alpha-linolenic acid as well as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytosterols, which may have additional health benefits. You'll find whole flax seeds, milled flax seeds, and flax seed oil. Plus, many 'natural' snack foods include flax. Sprinkle flaxseeds on cereal, soup, and salads.

Pro tip: keep your flax seeds and flax oil in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. 

Edamame is young soybeans that are boiled and left to cool before served, usually still in the shell. They're high in alpha-linolenic acid and a number of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, plus they're high in protein. Edamame is often served at Japanese restaurants and is available in the freezer section of most grocery stores.

Pro tip: serve edamame as a healthy afternoon snack.

Seeds and nuts tend to be the best sources of healthy fats and chia seeds are no exception. In addition to their high ALA content, chia seeds are a good source of dietary fiber, plus a few vitamins and minerals.

Pro tip: try chia in place of flax seeds, or as a healthy addition to cereal or salad.

Canola oil is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid, and it's such a versatile cooking oil. Canola oil withstands high temperatures well and has a mild flavor, so it's an appropriate choice for almost any type of cooking, baking, or for use as an ingredient in dressings and sauces.

Pro tip: use canola oil as a lighter tasting alternative to olive oil.

When it comes to overall nutrition, walnuts are some of the best nuts around. They're tops as far as total alpha-linolenic acid content, and they're high in protein and several vitamins and minerals. Walnuts make a great snack, salad, cereal and yogurt topping, or delicious ingredient in both baked goods and savory dishes. Use walnut oil to make salad dressing.

Pro tip: buy walnuts in the shell for maximum freshness and keep all nuts refrigerated.

Pumpkin seeds are an excellent snack choice for increasing your intake of ALA. Plus they've got calcium, magnesium, ​and protein. They're also high in fiber. You can find pumpkin seeds in your local grocery store, or you can make your own toasted pumpkin seeds at home.

Pro tip: buy pumpkin seeds that have already been shelled -- they're much easier to eat.

Pine nuts are another good source of ALA, plus they're high in protein, monounsaturated fats, manganese and some B-complex vitamins. You can find pine nuts at your local grocery store. They're usually already shelled.

Pro tip: serve pesto made with pine nuts with whole grain bread for an excellent appetizer.

Navy beans are a good plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids. Plus they're ann excellent source of non-dairy calcium. They're also high in fiber and manganese. Navy beans can be used in most recipes that call for dry white beans.

Pro tip: keep a few cans of navy beans on hand to add to soup or quick recipes.

Hemp seeds won't get you high, but they might help you get healthy. They're rich in omega-3 fatty acids and minerals such as iron and magnesium. They're not as common as flax seeds, but you should be able to find hulled hemp seeds in health food stores or the natural food section of your local grocery stores. 

Pro tip: use hemp seeds as an alternative to flax seeds -- they're tiny and can be added to just about anything.

_Sources:

_{Harvard School of Public Health. "Ask the Expert: Omega-3 Fatty Acids." Accessed April 16, 2016, 2015. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3/}

_{Lane K, Derbyshire E, Li W, Brennan C. "Bioavailability and potential uses of vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids: a review of the literature." Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014;54(5):572-9. Accessed April 16, 2016. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2011.596292?journalCode=bfsn20.}

_{United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 28. Accessed April 16, 2016. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search.}