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Omega-3 fatty acids are most famous for being found in fish. Now, they're popping up in some supermarket staples.

Jennifer Maciejewski got quite the wake-up call from her doctor.

"My doctor told me if I don't get my cholesterol level down that she's going to put me on medication," Maciejewski recalls.

But before going on meds, Jennifer wants to try something else--loading up on fruits, veggies, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Research shows that these healthy fats may help prevent heart disease, which runs in Jennifer's family.

"I know it's something I need to take seriously. I've got two little kids and want to be there for them," Maciejewski says.

She didn't have much trouble finding Omega-3 acids. Dozens of foods including eggs, English muffins, even pasta-- all labeled with Omega-3 added. Dietitians say these 'fortified foods' are showing up everywhere. Joan Salge Blake works for the American Dietetic Association.

"People are more in tune with their diet and want to make sure that they're eating healthy," Salge Blake says.

In 2008, more than 420 foods packed with Omega-3's were released. So how do you know which ones to buy? First--Check the label. Many products contain only a fraction of the recommended daily dose of Omega-3, which is a thousand milligrams.

"Four ounces of something like salmon can have 50 times more the Omega-3's than some of these fortified products," Salge Blake warns.

One serving of fortified English muffins contains only 160 milligrams. Compare that to three ounces of salmon: 1,800 milligrams.

Dr. Vincent Bufalino is with the American Heart Association. He says, "Our recommendation is to get that two to four servings a week of a fatty fish into your routine."

But what if you're pregnant and can't eat a lot of fish, or you don't care for it? Jennifer admits she's not a fish fan. "I really don't like the taste. I don't like the texture. I don't like the smell."

You can also consider taking a fish oil supplement. But if you do, remember to tell your doctor.

"There are some potential blood-thinning effects, blood pressure-lowering effects, and heart irregularity effects. Those kinds of things will maybe have an impact on some of the other medicines you may be taking," Dr. Bufalino warns.

Jennifer pops a fish oil pill every day. As for the fortified foods--some left her in sticker shock. Others she'll continue to stock up on.

"I'm getting more Omega-3's now than I used to, which is a good thing, and when I go back to my doctor I'll find out how effective it was," she says.

Keep in mind - Omega-3 fatty acids are proven to help people with a history of heart disease. When it comes to the general public--the jury's still out.