Is It Safe to Eat Smoked Fish While Pregnant
You hear a lot about the dangers of mercury in fish for pregnant women and children, but are you totally clear on how much you should and shouldn't be eating?
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft updated advice (meaning it's not yet finalized and is currently open to public comment) about eating fish for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, women who may become pregnant, and kids.
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"Previously, the FDA and the EPA recommended maximum amounts of fish that these population groups should consume, but did not promote a minimum amount," reads an FDA press release. The thing is, pregnant women who aren't eating enough fish and shellfish because they're worried about the mercury content (which is the majority of them, according to the FDA analysis) could be missing out on a whole lot of awesome nutritional benefits. Chowing down on fish means consuming high quality protein, vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and, with some fish, even vitamin D, according to information that accompanies the draft updated advice.
With that in mind, the FDA is now suggesting a minimum intake: "The draft updated advice recommends pregnant women eat at least eight ounces and up to 12 ounces (two to three servings) per week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury to support fetal growth and development," says the FDA press release.
However, there are four fish they should continue to avoid because they're high in mercury: tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, swordfish, and king mackerel. Plus, they should eat no more than six ounces per week of white (albacore) tuna. The draft advice also warns people to be wary of fish you or someone else has caught from streams, rivers, and lakes: Be aware of fish advisories on these waterbodies, and, if advice isn't available, limit yourself to six ounces a week and kids to one to three ounces a week of that particular fish (and don't eat any other fish that week). There is no update on raw fish consumption; the FDA continues to recommend that pregnant women and kids steer clear of it (sorry, sushi lovers) so they're protected against microbes that might be in it.
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Some smart, lower-mercury options that will help pregnant women reach that two-to-three servings suggestion include: cod, shrimp, pollock, tuna (light canned), tilapia, catfish, and salmon. (And have you seen this delicious recipe for Asian Salmon with Coriander, Ginger, and Honey? Um, yum.)
For more details on the recommendations—including information on suggested amounts for kids (which, of course, aren't the same as for adults)—or to submit a comment, check out the full updated draft advice here. And for more deets on diet and pregnancy, learn about nine foods to avoid while pregnant.
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Alison Goldman Alison Goldman is a writer and editor based in Chicago.
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Is It Safe to Eat Smoked Fish While Pregnant
Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a19913326/should-pregnant-women-eat-fish/