A research study recently published in the West says that organic milk is more beneficial than non-organic version. Although all varieties of milk contain protein, calcium, riboflavin and other nutrients, organic milk was found to have a better balance of essential fatty acids – omega 3 and omega 6. More of omega 3 fats and less of omega 6 fats is known to be heart healthy. Omega 6 fats (which come thru some of the high PUFA oils, fried snacks, etc) in excess can be one of the causes for many illnesses. Organic milk with its greater proportion of omega 3 fats can become an addition in the list of omega 3 foods like fish and flaxseed. Additionally, organic foods are always good for the earth!
Sorry folks. I haven’t written in a while because I was buried under work after my return from vacation. I’ll start writing regularly again.
During my recent holiday, I came across ‘flax milk’ made from flaxseed. Over the years during my foreign travels, I had tasted rice milk, peanut milk, soy milk and almond milk. This was the first time I saw flax milk. Tasted it and loved it, although no one else in the family thought it was good.
The highlight of flax milk is its omega 3 content. A glass of flax milk has 1200 mg of omega 3 fatty acids and much lesser amounts of omega 6 and omega 9. For those who are lactose-intolerant, this is useful because it contains no lactose. Needless to say that there’s no cholesterol because it’s a plant product.
If you’re wondering how to get good amounts of omega 3 in your diet with no access to flax milk, then include flaxseed powder or fish in your meals regularly. Omega 3 fatty acids are useful for brain function, to possibly reduce the risk of inflammation, heart disease, diabetes and many other modern day health problems.
A question that came from a vegetarian – “Is it ok to eat a cup of flaxseed daily? My gym instructor has asked me to take fish because its good for my heart, but I don’t want to start eating non-veg. So, he asked me to take 1 cup of flaxseed everyday.” If gym instructors were qualified in nutrition and dietetics, they would not dole out such advise!
Firstly, it’s not important for vegetarians to start eating fish or any form of meat for good health. Secondly, if meat eaters get their omega 3 fats from fish, the vegetarians can get it from flaxseed and walnut. However, it’s not necessary to eat a cup of flax everyday. 1 to 2 tablespoons is the suggested quantity as of now.
You can find whole flaxseed as well as the powdered form in many supermarkets. Powdered flax is easier to consume. Add it in your breakfast cereal or soup or sabji or dal or smoothie or pasta or any other dish.