For busy moms, staying healthy is key to a happy household. If your diet revolves around fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins, you’re already on the right track. Adding omega-3 fatty acids could take your daily diet to a whole new level. Discover four reasons why you should start adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.
This feature was posted on behalf of Lifesum. All recommendations are opinions only and are not intended as medical advice.
Improve Your Heart Health
As a mom, you want to keep your heart healthy so you can love on your little ones and keep your body strong. Eating foods rich in omega-3s is one of the best ways to improve your heart health, as these fatty acids can lower your risk of heart disease. They can also lower your blood pressure, raise your good cholesterol, prevent plaque from forming in your arteries and reduce inflammation.
So what’s the easiest way to add omega-3s to your diet? Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are great sources of these fatty acids, although you’ll want to limit your salmon and mackerel intake to three servings per week to make sure you don’t add too much mercury to your diet.
Manage Chronic Conditions
Omega-3s are known for reducing inflammation throughout your body, which is how these fatty acids can lower your risk of developing heart disease, cancer and other serious diseases. If you deal with an autoimmune disease, such as Type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, or lupus, omega-3s can help treat these conditions and even decrease symptom severity.
Even if you’re vegetarian or you aren’t a fan of fish, you can still get plenty of omega-3s in your diet. Flax seeds and chia seeds are also excellent sources of this fatty acid.
Boost Your Mental Health
If you have depression or anxiety, which are two of the most common mental disorders, you might worry about the side effects that medication can cause. Fortunately, omega-3s might offer a healthier choice. These fatty acids are known to alleviate the symptoms of both disorders, and one research study has even indicated that EPA fatty acids work just as well as prescription medication.
Worried that you can’t work enough fatty acids into your daily diet? Try taking either fish oil or a vegetarian supplement that’s designed to increase your omega-3 intake.
Get Better Sleep
When you don’t get enough sleep, you struggle to complete your never-ending to-do list, and you risk compromising your immune system and getting the whole household sick. Since getting enough omega-3s has proven to help you sleep longer and better, this is a nutrient you don’t want to ignore.
So how can you know if you’re consuming enough omega-3s in your diet? Use a nutrition tracking app, like Lifesum, to make sure you’re getting the right balance of calories, macros, and water to keep you as healthy as possible.
From boosting your mental health to helping prevent diseases, omega-3 fatty acids can do it all. Start tracking your omega-3 intake along with your nutrient and calorie consumption, and make sure you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and strong for years to come.
Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 3 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, taking photos and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!