It seems these days fat is all the craze, and the most popular of all is no doubt omega-3. Why? Well, omega-6 and omega-3, stars of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, play countering roles, with omega 6 helping to provide inflammation and blood-clotting, such as in the treatment of wounds, while omega-3 reduces inflammation and is an anti-coagulant. We need both, and ideally at about a one-to-one ratio. Unfortunately, modern diets are skewed greatly in favor of omega-6, such that healthy eaters concerned with fat must seek out omega-3 (and reduce omega-6) to balance things. This is what has made eating fish or taking those fish fat pills such a high-demand habit, that could be destroying our oceans. Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on fish to get omega-3s. Here are a few plant-based choices, and some recipes to add to your repertoire, to get you started.

Seeds

Source: Banana Hemp Seed Sushi Slices

Flaxseeds are probably the most well-known plant-based source of omega-3. They are rich in fiber, which translates to good digestion, and are full of omega-3 for a healthy heart. They also make a dandy egg substitute for vegan baking. Chia seeds provide a healthy dose of omega-3 as well as calcium, and hemp seeds are loaded with protein and omega-3. Other seeds like sunflower, safflower, and pumpkin have omega-3, but they have it in unfavorable ratios. Check out these articles for more info on these seeds, and try the recipes to help balance the diet: All About the Health Benefits of Flaxseeds, with Tips and Recipes, All You Need to Know about Hempseeds, and New Ways to Use Chia Seeds in Your Recipes.

Leafy Greens

Source: Spinach Salad With Barley Bacon

Admittedly, dark leafy greens are not massive sources of fat in any form; however, their ratio favors omega-3, so this is yet again one more reason to get that daily intake of roughage. Romaine, arugula, spinach, and an edible weed called purslane (also good in salads) are all green givers of omega-3 fatty acids, and they all work fantastically raw. Here are some helpful recipes to keep the intake interesting: Raw Vegan Caesar Salad (substitute the above seeds in the dressing for even more omega 3), The 6 Healthiest Ways to Eat Spinach, Quinoa Salad with Figs, Purslane and Goji Berries, and Arugula: Health Benefits, Tips, and Recipes.

Beans

Source: Kitchari: Ayurvedic Dish for Gut Health

Like greens, beans don’t deliver the whopping amount of omega-3 that seeds and nuts do, but the ratio is the right way. Mungo beans top the chart with nearly fifteen times the omega-3 as omega-6. Other omega superstars from the bean brigade are navy beans, kidney beans, and the controversial soybean. Beans, of course, are a great source of fiber and plant-based protein, so this works out well for vegans. Try a few new recipes with favorable omega balance: White Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers and Cajun Corn and Kidney Bean Salad.

Cabbages

Source: Spicy Cabbage Turmeric Stew

The whole family of cabbages tends to provide more omega-3 than omega-6, with cauliflower (not normally high on the cabbage radar) being the best provider. Broccoli, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts should also be high on this list, though they are not customarily thought of as cabbage. The classic cabbages also maintain a better, balancing ratio but not to the same degree. Nonetheless, every little bit helps, so give these dishes a go: Cauliflower Picatta, 10 Ways to Make Awesome Summer Slaws, and 5 Ways to Get Anyone to Love Brussels Sprouts.

Winter Squash

Source: Quinoa Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash

Listed time and again on best of omega-3 rundowns, winter squashes do well as a richer source of omega-3. Winter squashes include familiar favorites like acorn squash, butternut squash, and any number of pumpkins. All of these are, of course, fantastic for soups and roasting, such as in Mango Butternut Squash Soup, Pigeon Pea Soup with Opo Squash, and Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf.

As a last note, we should acknowledge that several nuts, particularly walnuts and pecans, have high levels of omega-3, but not nearly as high as their omega-6. Olive oil is not dissimilar, with nearly ten times the omega-6 as it has omega-3 (Try mustard oil for a better ratio, though still not balanced). Even seaweed has more omega-6 than omega-3. So, while these are high sources of the good fat we are looking for, by the ratio we are after, they are not the highest sources.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
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• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!