Do soy food products contain omega 3 or omega 6 fats?
Soy contains both omega 3 and omega 6 fats. These two fatty acids are essential — that is, you must have them in your diet because your body cannot make them. One of these is an omega 6 fatty acid called linoleic acid and the other is an omega 3 fatty acid called linolenic acid. Both are found in soybeans. (“Linoleic” and “linolenic” are spelled almost the same, which can make it confusing!) Linoleic acid (omega 6) is found in most vegetable oils. Linolenic acid (omega 3) is less common in plant foods, but can be found in the naturally occurring oils of flax seeds, walnuts, and soybeans. Canola oil also contains linolenic (omega 3) acid. Edamame and mature soybeans both contain these essential fats. Tofu and soymilk do also, unless you purchase fat-free versions. Defatted soy products will not contain these essential omega 6 and omega 3 fats because the oil has been removed. Many manufactured soy products, such as soy burgers, are made from textured vegetable protein, including soy pr
