Food List

Omega-3 Foods

Omega-3 fats support heart, brain and eye health and help manage inflammation. Most people get too little. This list ranks foods by omega-3 content so you can build them into your week, whether you eat fish or prefer plant sources.

Food Omega-3 Per 100 g Per serving
Flaxseed Nuts & seeds 22.8 g 534 kcal P 18 · C 29 · F 42 · Fib 27 20 g (0.7 oz) 107 kcal · P 3.6 1 2 tbsp
Chia seeds Nuts & seeds 17.8 g 486 kcal P 17 · C 42 · F 31 · Fib 34 24 g (0.8 oz) 117 kcal · P 4.1 1 2 tbsp
Walnuts Nuts & seeds 9.1 g 654 kcal P 15 · C 14 · F 65 · Fib 7 28 g (1 oz) 183 kcal · P 4.2 1 handful
Hemp seeds Nuts & seeds 8.7 g 553 kcal P 32 · C 9 · F 49 · Fib 4 30 g (1.1 oz) 166 kcal · P 9.6 1 3 tbsp
Mackerel Fish & seafood 2.6 g 205 kcal P 19 · C 0 · F 14 120 g (4.2 oz) 246 kcal · P 22.8 1 fillet
Salmon Fish & seafood 2.3 g 208 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 13 150 g (5.3 oz) 312 kcal · P 30 1 fillet
Anchovies (canned) Fish & seafood 2.1 g 210 kcal P 29 · C 0 · F 10 45 g (1.6 oz) 95 kcal · P 13.1 1 portion
Herring Fish & seafood 1.7 g 158 kcal P 18 · C 0 · F 9 120 g (4.2 oz) 190 kcal · P 21.6 1 fillet
Sardines (canned) Fish & seafood 1.5 g 208 kcal P 25 · C 0 · F 11 90 g (3.2 oz) 187 kcal · P 22.5 1 tin
Smoked salmon Fish & seafood 1.5 g 117 kcal P 18 · C 0 · F 4.3 56 g (2 oz) 66 kcal · P 10.1 1 portion
Soybeans (cooked) Legumes 1.4 g 173 kcal P 17 · C 10 · F 9 · Fib 6 172 g (6.1 oz) 298 kcal · P 29.2 1 cup
Hummus Legumes 1.2 g 166 kcal P 8 · C 14 · F 10 · Fib 6 60 g (2.1 oz) 100 kcal · P 4.8 1 portion
Trout Fish & seafood 1.1 g 141 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 6 130 g (4.6 oz) 183 kcal · P 26 1 fillet
Pecans Nuts & seeds 1 g 691 kcal P 9 · C 14 · F 72 · Fib 10 28 g (1 oz) 193 kcal · P 2.5 1 handful
Tuna steak (fresh) Fish & seafood 0.9 g 144 kcal P 23 · C 0 · F 5 150 g (5.3 oz) 216 kcal · P 34.5 1 steak
Olive oil Oils & fats 0.76 g 884 kcal P 0 · C 0 · F 100 14 g (0.5 oz) 124 kcal · P 0 1 tbsp
Mussels Fish & seafood 0.7 g 86 kcal P 12 · C 3.7 · F 2.2 100 g (3.5 oz) 86 kcal · P 12 1 portion
Oysters Fish & seafood 0.7 g 81 kcal P 9 · C 5 · F 2.3 100 g (3.5 oz) 81 kcal · P 9 1 portion
Sea bass Fish & seafood 0.65 g 97 kcal P 18 · C 0 · F 2 130 g (4.6 oz) 126 kcal · P 23.4 1 fillet
Halibut Fish & seafood 0.6 g 111 kcal P 23 · C 0 · F 2.3 150 g (5.3 oz) 167 kcal · P 34.5 1 fillet
Tofu (firm) Legumes 0.6 g 144 kcal P 17 · C 3 · F 9 · Fib 2 100 g (3.5 oz) 144 kcal · P 17 1 block
Prawns / shrimp Fish & seafood 0.5 g 99 kcal P 24 · C 0.2 · F 0.3 100 g (3.5 oz) 99 kcal · P 24 1 portion
Pollock Fish & seafood 0.5 g 92 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 1 130 g (4.6 oz) 120 kcal · P 26 1 fillet
Squid Fish & seafood 0.5 g 92 kcal P 16 · C 3 · F 1.4 100 g (3.5 oz) 92 kcal · P 16 1 portion
Turmeric (fresh) Vegetables 0.5 g 312 kcal P 9.7 · C 67 · F 3.3 · Fib 22 3 g (0.1 oz) 9 kcal · P 0.3 1 tsp

Oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines provide the most usable omega-3 (EPA and DHA). Plant sources like flaxseed, chia and walnuts give ALA, which the body converts less efficiently, so a little extra helps.

Frequently asked questions

What foods are highest in omega-3?

Flaxseed and chia seeds are the richest plant sources, while oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines provide the most usable forms (EPA and DHA). Walnuts and hemp seeds are also strong plant options.

What is the difference between plant and fish omega-3?

Fish provide EPA and DHA, the forms your body uses directly. Plants provide ALA, which the body converts to EPA and DHA only in small amounts. If you do not eat fish, eat ALA sources regularly and consider an algae-based supplement.

How much omega-3 do I need?

General guidance is at least one to two portions of oily fish a week, or a daily source of plant omega-3 like flaxseed, chia or walnuts if you do not eat fish. Speak to a professional about supplements if needed.

Nutrition values are approximate, per 100 g, derived from the USDA FoodData Central database. Serving sizes are typical examples and will vary.

welanutria provides general information only and is not medical or dietary advice.