Most of the commonly eaten fish are safe during pregnancy. They are nutritious, too, as they have omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, the problem is with the fish that have high levels of mercury. Therefore, you need to know about the types of fish you can eat and the types you cannot eat when pregnant. In this post, MomJunction tells you about the benefits of eating fish, the safe and the unsafe fish, some safe ways to eat the seafood, and more.
Benefits Of Fish During Pregnancy
Listed below are the health benefits of having fish.
Omega-3 fatty acids are likely to reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases by reducing triglyceride levels and blood pressure levels. Research studies have found them to prevent blood clot formation and blood vessel inflammation (1).
Omega-3 fatty acid DHA is known to diminish the effects of stress you might experience during late pregnancy. (2).
Fish are a good source of protein that helps in supporting fetal growth (3).
Fatty fish such as salmon provide abundant omega-3s that help in boosting the brain health of the baby. Brandon L. Reynolds, an adjunct professor in the University of Utah Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, says (4), “The types of fats that are used in brain development are more plentiful in fish. We know there’s a connection between these types of essential fatty acids and brain development.”
The rate of preterm births reduces with the intake of fish (5).
You should be eating fish that is low in mercury to benefit from its nutrients. The right quantity of intake also matters.
How Much Fish Can A Pregnant Woman Eat?
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can eat 8 to 12 ounces of fish a week (4). This amounts to two to three servings of fish such as salmon, tuna (canned-light), cod, catfish and tilapia that are low in mercury.
Safe Fish And Their Quantities To Consume During Pregnancy
Eat fish that is low in mercury and high in omega-3. Below is the list of fish you can eat. We have compiled it using the advisories issued by the various US states (6) (7). Sources: University of Minnesota Extension and Purdue University
Fish To Avoid While Pregnant
You should stay away from the below types of fish that are high in mercury (6). Mercury converts into methylymercury, which could be toxic to your nervous system: Bass (striped), bluefish, Chilean sea bass, jack (Amber, Crevalle), king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, Spanish mackerel (Gulf of Mexico), swordfish, tilefish (also called golden bass or golden snapper – Gulf of Mexico), tuna (all fresh or frozen), walleye (Great Lakes, Canada)
Risks Of Eating High Mercury During Pregnancy
Your body can absorb methylmercury from fish, and pass it on to the baby, affecting their brain development and the nervous system. Reynolds says (8), “When you have an excessive mercury intake, it concentrates within the developing brain of the fetus. When that happens, it can interrupt important connections necessary for brain development, which can lead to mental or neurological problems.” According to the EPA, mercury can affect the cognitive skills (such as memory and attention), motor skills, language, and vision of the baby (9). Therefore, you should take care while eating fish to avoid any harmful effects on the baby.
Safety Tips To Follow When Having Fish During Pregnancy
Even when you are eating safe fish, follow these measures to avoid exposure to any contaminants (10) (7).
Eat commercially caught fish and avoid fish from local waters as they are prone to harmful chemicals. Go for local fish only if you are sure that the type of fish has been cleared for consumption by the fish consumption advisories (that are issued by the Environmental Protection Agency).
Buy only fresh and properly refrigerated fish. Store them in a steel container and refrigerate until you cook them.
Do not eat undercooked or raw fish as they harbor food poisoning bacteria such as salmonella and listeria.
Cook fish until the internal temperature reaches 145oF (62.8 C) (11). You will know that the fish is properly cooked when its flesh turns opaque, and fillets peel off easily with a fork.
Use separate knives and cutting boards for fish and other vegetables.
Avoid reusing marinades.
If you are following all the precautions in selecting and cooking the fish, there are some delicious dishes that you can relish during pregnancy.
Some Best Ways To Include Fish In Pregnancy Diet
Here are some ways to cook fish. Fish is a nutritious option if you love it. But if you don’t like it or you are a vegetarian, then you might have to get the nutrients such as omega-3s from other food sources.
Alternative Ways To Get Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential part of your diet. If you do not eat fish, you can consume alternatives such as (12):
Flaxseeds or flaxseed oil mixed with any cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt
Mixed greens such as spinach, kale, and other dark leafy vegetables
Canola oil can be used for baking, stir-frying, or cooking
Walnuts or walnut oil
Soybean, soybean oil, and tofu
Enriched dairy foods
Wild rice
Eggs
Next, we have some common queries answered about the consumption of fish during pregnancy.
