What are omega-3 essential fatty acids and should they be part of my pregnancy diet?
Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are used by almost every cell in the body and help with brain, eye and tissue development. Since the human body isn’t able to make omega-3 EFAs, they must be consumed. It’s critical that pregnant women have adequate supplies of omega-3 EFAs in their diet. There are many types of omega-3 EFAs, but the two types that are most easily processed by the body are found in oily fish and fish-oil supplements. If you don’t like fish, or are concerned about eating fish while pregnant, fish-oil supplements are a good alternative. If you have an aversion or allergy to fish and can’t take fish-oil supplements, there are plant-based sources of omega-3 EFAs. However, these plant-based sources aren’t as easy for the body to process. The best are flaxseed oil, canola oil, chia seeds, walnuts, walnut oil, grass-reared meat and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.
