Disclosure: Thank you to Wild Planet Foods for sponsoring this post
WHAT IS OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS (FA)?
Omega-3s are ESSENTIAL fatty acids that MUST be consumed from diet or supplementation. They have many critical, health-promoting roles in our bodies.
important for healthy brain and eye development part of the process of building new cells helps body absorb fat-soluble nutrients improves heart health fights inflammation While more research is needed, some studies have shown that due to their role in neurotransmitter function, these fats may help manage psychological and behavioral conditions, such as ADHD, as well as improve cognitive function
There are 3 types of Omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
ALA is a short chain fatty acid which gets converted to the biologically active longer chain omega-3 FA, EPA, which then gets converted to DHAEPA supports the heart, immune system, and inflammatory response.DHA is a critical building block for brain, retina, and central nervous system, which is why it is especially important for pregnant and lactating women.
ALA is found primarily in plant sources. And while fats from walnuts and flaxseeds, for instance, can be converted to DHA, you really need the active longer chains during late pregnancy and early infancy. It’s really difficult for us humans to convert ALA from plant sources to DHA and EPA. That’s why for vegans, it is highly advised to take algae-based omega-3 DHA supplements in addition to consuming plant-based and fortified food sources.
Best sources:
On the top of the list are cold water fish: salmon, sardines, mackerel (avoid king), herring, fresh tuna, halibut Fish is an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, several vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin D, iron, choline, zinc) and is low in saturated fat. Keep in mind the amount of omega-3 FAs varies in wild vs. farm-raised and among varieties of fish. Wild-caught will always be your best choice as it has higher levels of omega-3 FAs and are more sustainable. Whenever possible, I highly encourage you to support companies that follow sustainable, earth-friendly practices, like Wild Planet Foods. Other sources:
beef (grass-fed animals will have a higher amount)free range chickenflaxseedswalnutschia seedssoy beans
Commonly fortified with omega-3:
eggsmilkyogurt (grass-fed)
Omega 3 fatty acids during Pregnancy
Consuming an adequate amount of omega-3 FAs is highly encouraged but even more so during pregnancy and beyond!
for moms
Along with the health benefits mentioned above, studies show that they may play a role in reducing the risk of premature delivery and in protecting against postpartum depression. Again, the best sources of omega-3 FAs are fish, but because of the concerns regarding mercury levels and other environmental contaminants, many pregnant women are afraid to consume them, resulting in potentially depriving the fetus of essential nutrients. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to consume
2-3 servings (8-12 ounces) per week of seafood low in mercury (see list above). Generally speaking, large predatory fish, like tuna, shark, and swordfish contain higher levels of mercury so it is best to stay away from them.
for babies and children
What moms eat during pregnancy matters! Omega-3 FAs are transferred across the placenta, and during the third trimester of pregnancy, 50-60 mg per day of the mother’s DHA stores go to her fetus. And after birth, DHA is transferred through breast milk. In a 2015 review article that looked at cognitive development in infants born to mothers who consumed seafood throughout pregnancy compared to those that didn’t, a significantly improved visual acuity, language and social activity scores (e.g. hand-eye coordination, vocabulary comprehension) before the age of 2 were observed. The beneficial effects of consumption of adequate omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy have also been shown to continue into early childhood. The children displayed better:
fine motor skills, social skillscommunication skillshigher verbal and performance IQand less behavioral problems.
Additionally, Omega-3 FA consumption during pregnancy and lactation may decrease the risk of infant allergies. The current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics – “children should eat small servings of a vairety of fish and shellfish 1-2 times per week” How much is one serving?
2-3 years of age – 1 ounce4-7 years of age – 2 ounces8-10 years of age – 3 ounces
There’s no set recommendation for babies, but 1-2 tablespoons is plenty! Here’s more information on the importance of nutrition in the first 1000 days.
Fish as baby’s first food
The two fish I ate most frequently throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding were salmon and sardines. I had never once eaten sardines prior to being pregnant. However, knowing the importance of consuming omega-3-rich foods and seeing how convenient, affordable, and sustainably-sourced the canned sardines are, I decided to give them a try. And the rest was history. Perhaps that’s why my son has loved these two foods since day 1. Both the amniotic fluid and breastmilk provide flavor exposure, and these early exposures can influence taste preferences and food choices after weaning! I don’t know about you, but I find that SO incredibly fascinating. While you might be feeling hesitant about offering fish from early on as it is one of the top allergenic foods, recent studies show that delaying the introduction of these foods may actually increase your baby’s risk of developing allergies. So unless there’s a family history, in which case you want to consult with your doctor first, you can serve fish as one of baby’s first foods with confidence!
Sardines for babies
If you’ve been following our baby led weaning journey on Instagram @kidfriendly.meals where I’ve been sharing our meals since day 1, you know sardines make a regular appearance on my son’s plate. Right now, I want to share my favorite quick and easy, delicious ways that you can try to get your little one(s) excited about them!
oatmeal: mash avocado, sardines, finely ground nuts/seeds, or whatever ingredients you fancy! Simply preload onto a spoon. Here are some more oatmeal ideas!oat balls: same as above but this time shape into balls! Super finger-friendly! Great practice for pincer grasp sandwich: make sardine avocado salad – 1/2 avocado, 1 sardine fillet, chopped veggies (whatever you have on hand), spoonful of whole fat plain greek yogurt (optional)can use the salad as a filling for sandwiches, serve over cooked grains, pasta, etc.baked goods: add to barley casserole cups (recipe in my comfort meals e-cookbook), savory muffins, fish cakes, etc.as is: I personally can’t eat it whole so guess that’s why I didn’t serve it to him this way until Caleb was around 13 months, but you can certainly offer sooner! Caleb absolutely LOVED it plain
Fish recipes for babies
