When you’re pregnant proper nutrition becomes very important and you’re probably very concerns about foods you must avoid. Fish in particular is a tricky area because fish contains many important nutrients for your growing baby, including omega fatty acids, but some fish contain unsafe levels of mercury. How can you determine is eating fish while pregnant safe? Find out more about which fish is safe and which should be avoided.
Eating Fish While Pregnant: Recommended Amounts
To begin with, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) state that pregnant women can eat up to 12 ounces of seafood safely each week. This averages out to about two meals per week. While it’s definitely a good idea to play it safe and stick with these guidelines, some experts believe that higher levels are still safe.
Eating Fish While Pregnant: Fish to Eat
Certain types of fish can be dangerous during pregnancy due to high levels of mercury. Safe fish to eat includes:
- Crab
- Salmon
- Pollock
- Shrimp
- Tilapia
- Cod
- Catfish
- Canned light tuna
Eating Fish While Pregnant: Fish to Avoid
Predatory fish usually contain the highest levels of mercury, so you should avoid eating these types of fish:
- Limit albacore, tuna steak and chunk white tuna to 6 ounces per week
- Shark
- Swordfish
- Tilefish
- King Mackerel
- Raw fish or shellfish, including oysters and clams
- Smoked seafood like lox
Is Eating Fish While Pregnant Safe?
Linear Mode
