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a photo of a Trader Joe’s storefront

Getty Images / EatingWell design

There are plenty of fish in the sea but, until this year, my fish choices consisted mainly of salmon and tuna. While I love recipes like ourGarlic Butter-Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & AsparagusandEasy Tuna Cakes with Greens & Lemon Dressing, I was looking to expand my palate and switch things up. That’s when I discovered Trader Joe’s Sardines in Olive Oil. After buying them on a whim the first time, they’re now a must-have ingredient whenever I shop at the store—here’s why.

Sardines are an excellent source ofomega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat that offers a slew of health benefits. Eating more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to support heart health, protect eye health and reduce inflammation. In fact, sardines are one of thebest foods to eat to fight inflammationbecause the fat has been found to increase your cells’ ability to rid themselves of harmful components. Eating a one-can, 3.75-ounce serving of Trader Joe’s sardines provides 1.7 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, which satisfies the adequate intake of omega-3s (1.6 grams for men and 1.1 grams for women).

One of my favorite ways to eat sardines is atop a bagel with veggie cream cheese. It gives a similar vibe to smoked salmon and is one of my go-to lunches. You could also try adding sardines to ourTomato Toast with Herbed Cream Cheese. Meanwhile, at dinnertime, I like to incorporate sardines into pasta. It’s an easy way to add protein to a dish, and sardines pair well with a variety of flavor profiles, from a simpleLemony Spaghetti with Parmesan & Thymeto aOne-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta. Just chop up the sardines and fold them into the pasta so you get some in every bite.

These sardines have a long shelf life, so you can stock up so they’re always on hand in your pantry (but if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself going through the cans quickly!). At $2.49 per can at my local store, it’s a budget-friendly way to add more fish to my plate. So the next time you’re at Trader Joe’s, grab some sardines and thank me later.

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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.Omega-3 Fatty Acids.Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch.Sardine.

Sources

EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.Omega-3 Fatty Acids.Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch.Sardine.

EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.Omega-3 Fatty Acids.Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch.Sardine.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch.Sardine.