The Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely important in our diets. In recent
years they've been given more press--probably to counteract the
low-low-fat diet practices espoused by Pritikin, Ornish, and
McDougall--and rightly so.

The primary sources are fatty fish, many more than simply sardines, so if
you eat salmon, mackerel, herring (among others) you can avoid the
sardines you dislike. Plant-based sources are flaxseed, walnuts, and
purslane (an herb in Italian cooking; a weed in America!); soybeans are a
less reliable source.

Olives are NOT a source of omega-3s. They are a major source of
omega-9 fatty acids, usually referred to as monounsaturated fat. I
recommend them and their oil for that reason (and their taste!) but not for
the omega-3s.

Good info on omega-3s may be found in *Low-Fat Lies* and *The Omega
Diet.* Check your library!

I wouldn't like you to leave people with the impression that there is
something wrong with a low-fat diet. There isn't. Human beings need very
little in the way of fats and oils - principally the omega 3 and omega 6
oils.

A sensible low fat diet (such as the one I'm on) allows up to 5% fat for
most food, except oily fish (a portion a week) and occasional nuts
(which I'm allergic to, so that's a moot point).

WW's of course is another low fat diet.
--
Anna (in UK)
Start Weight: 174 lbs
Goal Weight: 146 lbs
Current Weight: 163 lbs

"The revolutionary new diet pill that turns body fat into Rolex watches" -
Dilbert Online