Choosing a healthy pregnancy diet is getting more and more complicated with so many things off limits it's hard to know what's allowed anymore.
Fish is one example of this. Fish used to be a healthy source of protein, with good oils and many wonderful nutrients.
Now with increased pollution of the oceans fish has gotten a litle trickier to add to a pregnancy diet.
Here are some pregnancy fish facts to keep you eating the good kind of fish and avoiding the bad.
Raw Fish and Shellfish
This is an absolute no-no for pregnant women. Sushi is off the good fish list until after you give birth.
There is no way to kill any bacteria living in/on fish when you serve it raw. This leaves you and your baby at risk of food poisoning.
High Mercury Fish
Everyone's hearing about Mercury, in vaccines, ground water, and now in our fish. The fish that are the biggest mercury threat are the fish that eat other fish and those that stay on the bottom of the ocean floor.
The main fish to avoid because of Mercury contamination are shark, swordfish, tilefish, and King Mackeral.
Tuna Fish?
There is some mercury threat in tuna, but it is not as high as the other fish already mentioned. You are best to stick to less than 6 oz a week of tuna. Make sure you are eating White albacore when you eat tuna.
So What Fish Can I Eat?
You can eat fresh water fish like trout, catfish, and salmon.
You can also eat shellfish, like shrimp, lobster and crab.
How Much Fish Can I Eat?
Even though the risk in eating these types of fish are lower you want to limit your fish intake, even the "good" fish to no more than 12 ounces a week.
This will give you the benefits of good oils and nutrients fish provide, but will help you avoid any detrimental effects of the fish.
Eating less than 12 ounces of fish each week gives your body time to rid itself of any impurities that might be found in the fish, so they don't build up and cause health problems for you and your baby.
Eating fish can be confusing, but it can also be part of a healthy pregnancy diet. Make sure you stick to the guidelines, and if you have any questions make sure to ask your doctor.
