What’s In Jon’s Reusable Bag? #2

Welcome to the second instalment of the much anticipated, ‘What’s in John’s reusable bag?’, where we have a look at what Onya founder Jon has been eyeing out for his pantry.

Last time, it was apples and green tea with their bucket loads of good polyphenols which took the spotlight.

This time, Jon’s got a different ingredient in his reusable shopping bag, so here are a few reasons why they should be in yours, too.

Fish

Many of us will know that this bounty of the sea is high in omega-3 fatty acids, but what is it that really makes fish such a great option? By eating a serving or two of fish each week, it’s your heart which will be thanking you.

Mayo Clinic reports that with a little fish in your diet, you can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease. The unsaturated fats found in fish are legendary for supporting heart health due to the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3, which can protect your blood vessels from damage.

In addition, by swapping the fatty acids from red meat for fish, Mayo Clinic explains that you can lower your cholesterol. But the benefits of Omega-3 don’t appear to stop there – it can also help to decrease triglycerides (a fat found in the blood), as well as lowering blood pressure, and minimising the risk of stroke.

Harvard University’s School of Public Health reports that the high levels of vitamin D, selenium and protein also present in fish make it an important part of a healthy diet for adults and our littlest Australians alike.

“Both observational studies and controlled trials have also demonstrated that the omega-3 fats in fish are important for optimal development of a baby’s brain and nervous system, and that the children of women who consume lower amounts of fish or omega-3s during pregnancy and breast-feeding have evidence of delayed brain development,” says Harvard’s The Nutrition Source.

Which fish is best?

Although many different types of seafood contain the mighty omega-3s, you’ll find that fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, lake trout and herring contain the highest levels of the nutrient, making them the fish of choice.

If you’re not a fish fan, you can still aim to increase your intake of omega-3 through its plant form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), reports The Nutrition Source. You can find ALA in vegetables, flax seeds and walnuts.