Foods Highest in Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)

1,222 foods ranked by Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) per 100 g.

These are the foods highest in Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), ranked by the amount per 100 g of the edible portion. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the plant form of omega-3 and one of the two essential fatty acids the body cannot make. The body can convert a small fraction of ALA into the longer-chain omega-3s EPA and DHA, though eating those directly from fish is more efficient.

Read the full Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) guide

Values per 100 g.

Food ALA
Oil, flaxseed, cold pressed 53.37 g
Oil, flaxseed, contains added sliced flaxseed 48.93 g
Flaxseed, ground 19.42 g
Seeds, chia seeds, dried 17.83 g
Oil, canola 9.14 g
Oil, industrial, soy, refined, for woks and light frying 6.91 g
Oil, soybean, salad or cooking 6.79 g
USDA Commodity Food, oil, vegetable, soybean, refined 6.54 g
Oil, industrial, canola with antifoaming agent, principal uses salads, woks and light frying 6.40 g
Oil, industrial, canola for salads, woks and light frying 6.34 g
Oil, cooking and salad, ENOVA, 80% diglycerides 6.24 g
Margarine, 80% fat, tub, CANOLA HARVEST Soft Spread (canola, palm and palm kernel oils) 6.18 g
USDA Commodity Food, oil, vegetable, low saturated fat 5.96 g
Oil, corn and canola 5.80 g
Salad dressing, mayonnaise, soybean oil, with salt 4.70 g
Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, tub, with salt, with added vitamin D 4.68 g
Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, tub, with salt 4.68 g
Oil, industrial, soy (partially hydrogenated ) and soy (winterized), pourable clear fry 3.84 g
Margarine-like spread, SMART BALANCE Regular Buttery Spread with flax oil 3.39 g
McDONALD'S, Creamy Ranch Sauce 3.24 g
Salad Dressing, mayonnaise, light, SMART BALANCE, Omega Plus light 3.19 g
Salad dressing, ranch dressing, commercial, regular 3.06 g
Peanut butter with omega-3, creamy 2.93 g
Margarine, margarine-like vegetable oil spread, 67-70% fat, tub 2.93 g
Oil, industrial, soy, low linolenic 2.68 g
Margarine-like, vegetable oil spread, 60% fat, tub, with salt, with added vitamin D 2.67 g
Margarine-like, vegetable oil spread, 60% fat, tub, with salt 2.67 g
Margarine-like, vegetable oil spread, 60% fat, stick/tub/bottle, with salt 2.65 g
Margarine-like, margarine-butter blend, soybean oil and butter 2.64 g
Shortening, industrial, soy (partially hydrogenated), pourable liquid fry shortening 2.49 g

Flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, canola and soybean oil. Amounts are per 100 g of the edible portion; your serving may differ.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) — frequently asked questions

What foods are highest in Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)?

Per 100 g, some of the richest sources are Oil, flaxseed, cold pressed, Oil, flaxseed, contains added sliced flaxseed, Flaxseed, ground, Seeds, chia seeds, dried and Oil, canola. See the full ranking above.

How much Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) do I need a day?

There is no FDA Daily Value; common guidance is about 1.1 g a day for women and 1.6 g for men.

What does Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) do?

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the plant form of omega-3 and one of the two essential fatty acids the body cannot make. The body can convert a small fraction of ALA into the longer-chain omega-3s EPA and DHA, though eating those directly from fish is more efficient.

Want the full story on Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)?

See what it does, how much you need, deficiency and too-much, and more food sources.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) guide