Essential Fatty Acids

It is essential (for specific health issues) in our household that we get our EFA's in proper proportion every day. The easy way we achieve that is by loading up our morning green smoothies with them! Another way is to enjoy them in a luscious raw pudding!!

 I alternate and rotate and combine two or three of the following in our daily green smothie: Nutiva White Chia seeds, Nutiva Hemp Seeds, Organic Flax Seeds, raw pumpkin seeds, raw sunflower seeds or Hemp Oil.

Our goal is to get the perfect balance to reap their anti-inflammatory properties, this is essential for us.

The way that most Americans eat leads to an overabundance of Omega-6 fatty acids which actually promotes inflammation in the body. The good thing is we don't eat like standard Americans so there is not much concern that we will have too many 6's but I still need to pay close attention to our intake of Omega-3's. Plant-based eaters do not have a DIRECT source of EPA and DHA in their diets so it is important to realize that our bodies will have to convert ALA (an omega-3 fatty acid) into its two final acids, EPA and DHA.

It is all about ratio. We need a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 of between 2:1 and 4:1. But what are the ALA or Adequate Intake levels for men and women to consume?

Men need 1.6 grams

Women need 1.1 grams

(You'll have to adjust for children)

Let's look at foods that have that perfect ratio of omega-6 to omega-3:

WALNUTS

FLAXSEEDS (grind fresh before use)

GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES

HEMPSEEDS

Broken down into two groups you would have:

Some Foods high in omega-6 that we consume

raw pumpkin seeds

raw sunflower seeds

raw tahini

tofu (use limited and only organic)

**Other sources that we personally do not eat are: edamame and wheat germ.

Omega-3 Sources we consume

organic flax

organic raw walnuts

organic green leafy vegetables, raw and cooked

hempseeds

Nota Bene: In only 1 Tbsp of ground flaxseeds a person can obtain their daily ration of ALA--now that is easy!! Pop it into a smoothie, any recipe of yours or my pudding recipe below.

Raw Pudding Packed with EFA's

by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

1 organic avocado

3 small organic bananas (ripe with brown spots on skin!)

3 heaping T of raw carob powder (Foods Alive brand)

1 T raw mesquite (Foods Alive brand)

2 T Nutiva White Chia Seeds

1 T date fluff (see recipe here)

1 T Nutiva hempseeds to garnish

In a small food processor, process the first six ingredients until creamy smooth. Add a splash of water if needed to achieve desired consistency. Sprinkle the hempseeds on top. Enjoy!

Nota Bene: This pudding is VERY filling. It is loaded with fiber and the chia will keep you revved up and going strong for hours--Aztec Warrior food at its best.

+JMJ+ Today I am grateful that my newly planted garden survived the rain storms last week :)

Resource on EFA's: "The Complete Idiots Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition" by Julieanna Hever, M.S.,R.D.,C.P.T.