Keeping healthy fish oil at home is actually a lot easier than you’d think. It’s not like keeping track of how much Vitamin C you need to take or how many hours of relaxation you need each day. For an overall health boost, all you need is fish oil.
How much fish oil should you be taking? That is the question. Let’s dive into the answer and see exactly what health benefits you’ll get from consuming this nutrient-rich oil.
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Key Facts About Fish Oil
Fish oil is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin D. It’s highly versatile and can be used in many different ways, from salads and pastas to steaks and even eggs. This oil is one of the best sources of essential fatty acids, which your body cannot make itself. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for your skin and hair, so you’ll be getting two benefits from this food source.
Fish oil is an excellent source of nutrients, not calories. It has a low amount of saturated fat and cholesterol and a high amount of vitamin D and polyunsaturated fat. The nutrient density of fish oil is high, which means that it has a lot of value per calorie. While all oils have a place in our diets, fish oil is a special case because of its impressive list of health benefits.
Why Only Fish?
Most people think that oils are fattening, but that is not true. There are many healthy oils that you can incorporate into your diet, and you may choose to include plant-based oils like coconut or olive oil. These oils are high in monounsaturated fats, which help maintain a healthy cholesterol level. Oils also have a high smoke point, which means that they can be heated without becoming unusable. This is an important consideration for anyone who likes to stir-fry their food. When you eat too much food with high saturated fat and cholesterol, it’s not good for your heart. The key is to incorporate these healthy fats into your diet when you need them. For example, if you are preparing a salad for lunch, use olive oil to flavor the ingredients instead of a traditional mayonnaise-based dressing. You’ll still get the great taste of a fresh salad with the added bonus of essential fatty acids!
How Long Does It Keep?
While cooking with oil is a great way to add beneficial fats to your diet, eating cold oil-based foods is even better! When you eat foods that are fried in oil, the taste is greatly enhanced due to the presence of essential fats in the food. The good thing is that these fats, along with antioxidants and vitamin D, will all be present for your body to use at the time of consumption.
There are a few foods that are specifically designed to be eaten cold, and you’ll want to make sure that you include some of these on your list. Some examples include egg salad, salmon, and fatty cuts of steak. To maintain the health benefits of these foods, you’ll need to eat them quickly after cooking or in the morning on the day that you eat them. If you have a cold meal later in the day, these foods won’t provide the same benefits. The exception to this is salmon, as the fat in salmon will still be present and usable in the evening. Fish and fish oil have a much longer shelf life than most other foods. The oil won’t go bad, and neither will the fish! This is one of the key benefits of eating seafood.
Fish Versus Fish Oil
It’s imperative to understand the difference between fish and fish oil when determining how much of each you need to intake. Fish oil is a great source of nutrients and has a high amount of polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. While all fish are great, the type of fat that they contain varies. Certain fish such as lake trout, mackerel, and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and these are the types of fish that you’ll want to intake. Make sure that you try to eat fatty fish at least twice per week to get the full effect.
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for your skin and hair as well. When you lack these fats in your diet, it can negatively affect both your physical appearance and mental health. This is why it is highly recommended that you keep fish oil at home and incorporate it into your diet plan, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.
The problem with fish is that most fish are low in fat and high in protein. These are the exact opposite of what you need if you’re looking to lose weight. There is also the concern about mercury and other toxins that are found in some fish. If you’re not sure where to start, then it would be best to avoid fish altogether. The good news is that there are a lot of alternatives. You can get fishless alternatives or look for brands that use more natural and environmentally-sound practices when catching fish.
The Best Way To Take Fish Oil
There are a few ways that you can consume fish oil, and you’ll want to make sure that you eat it at the recommended dosage. One of the best methods is to squeeze the juice from a couple of fresh lemon wedges into a small glass. Add a few tablespoons of fish oil, and you’ll be drinking an incredibly tasty, easy-to-swallow liquid. You can also put some in a bowl and eat it as a snack or add it to your food for the day. At the end of the day, fish oil is a versatile source of nutrients that will contribute to your overall health.