Some fish do have omega 3 fatty acids in their bodies.  Do you know why?  It’s because those fish eat omega 3-rich algae and phytoplankton, which is then stored in their flesh.  (Ironically, now that so many fish are being farmed, they aren’t getting algae and phytoplankton into their diets, and so they don’t have the omega 3’s in their flesh.)

What does this mean for us? We can instead go to plants for our heart-healthy omega 3’s.  To ensure you’re getting your omega 3’s, grind a tablespoon of flaxseeds in your coffee grinder and add them to your smoothies or on top of your morning oatmeal.  Flax oil can be used in salad dressings and walnuts can be eaten as a snack.  Since a vegan diet is already so protective in terms of heart health, adding these omega 3 rich foods is another great step.  Plus, it means we don’t have to worry about how much mercury is “safe” in our diets.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather keep my count at zero.