If you made New Year’s resolutions for your health, there's a good chance "eat better" is on the list, including adding more omega-3s to your diet. These fatty acids have a whopping 17 health benefits, such as fighting heart disease and Alzheimer's — that’s probably why doctors often recommend them. Omega-3s have a ton of functions. For example, they create a phospholipid layer of cell membranes to help give cells structure. There are a lot of these fatty acids in your brain and eyes, and they are critical for the cognitive development of babies, as well. Omega-3s can also improve your heart health by reducing the amount of inflammation you experience. Just as omega-3s are important for the beginning of life, they’re equally important to help you maintain good health throughout your life as well. The most popular source of omega-3s is fish, but what if you don't like the taste of seafood or have an allergy? DON'T LIKE FISH? OTHER WAYS TO GET YOUR OMEGA-3S
Here are some substitutions to consider.
1. You can add chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts to your meals to get the needed nutrients. They are great additions to granola, oatmeal, salads, or smoothies or when mixed with milk or yogurt. You can even put them on toast with peanut butter. 2. Good substitutions are also edamame and kidney beans . Boil or steam edamame and put them in your salads or side dishes. Kidney beans are a popular side dish as well and can be used in curries, stews, or rice. 3. If you’re looking for new cooking oil, soybean oil can replace vegetable or olive oil. You can also use it as a salad dressing. 4. Eating mixed greens such as kale and spinach is beneficial as well. These greens can be sautéed with soybean oil for even more benefits. 5. If you need more of an omega-3 boost or are experiencing high levels of inflammation, there are supplements you can explore like krill oil, cod liver oil, fish oil, and algae oil .
MEET LAURA STEINDORF!
Laura is a licensed physical therapist with a doctorate of physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine, San Marcos, where she graduated with honors. Laura was raised in Eugene, Oregon, where she developed a love for hiking, biking, and the outdoors. She moved to California to find some sunshine and to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Laura fell in love with physical therapy while playing collegiate rugby and working as an athletic trainer at UCLA. Her experiences ignited a passion for helping others to reduce pain with movement. Laura has a special interest in working with patient populations in athletics, women’s health, and neurological rehabilitation. Laura strives to personalize every research-based treatment to meet the needs of the individual and provide the tools for patients to succeed outside of physical therapy. Outside of work, Laura enjoys buying plants, playing soccer, camping, and traveling with her husband and dog.
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