Home Fish Facts How Much Fish Can I Eat While Pregnant? Clearly Explained!

How Much Fish Can I Eat While Pregnant? Clearly Explained!

by Alexis
how much fish can i eat while pregnant

Sadly, no. Just by eating fish a few times a week, you can exceed mercury levels the EPA deems safe during pregnancy. One in 12 women of childbearing age have mercury levels that are above the EPA’s limits. A study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives shows that among women who eat fish 3 or more times a week, nearly 1 in 3 exceed the limits.

The study also found that pregnant women with high levels of mercury in their blood were more likely to have a baby with a birth defect, such as anencephaly, a brain defect that results in an incomplete brain development. The study was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health.

How much fish is too much pregnant?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women eat at least 8 ounces and up to 12 ounces (340 grams) of a variety of seafood lower in mercury a week. The average American consumes less than two to three times that amount.

But a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that the amount of mercury in seafood is much higher than previously thought.

The study, led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which is conducted every two years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track the health and nutritional status of U.S. adults.

It found that seafood consumption was associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, as well as lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish and shellfish.

What fish can I eat while pregnant?

The healthiest fish for pregnant women to eat are catfish, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, scallops, shrimp, tilapia, trout, and canned tuna. Healthy Fish for Pregnant Women Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as sardines, mackerel, herring, anchovies, tuna and salmon are good choices.

These fish are also low in mercury, which can be harmful to your baby’s developing brain and nervous system. Healthy fish also contain a variety of other nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E and K, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and pyridoxine.

Fish is also a good source of vitamin B-12, folate, vitamin D and vitamin K2, all of which are important for healthy growth and development of your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends eating fish at least once a week during pregnancy, as well as during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

Can I eat salmon everyday pregnant?

It is possible to reduce your risk of delivering early by making sure you eat enough seafood. 815 Salmon is a great choice because you can safely eat two to three servings per week,2 unlike other types of fish that need to be limited further or avoided altogether.

If you are pregnant, talk to your health care provider about how much fish you should eat during pregnancy. If you have a family history of heart disease or high blood pressure, you may want to limit your fish intake to no more than one to two servings of oily fish each week.

Can I eat salmon every day while pregnant?

The majority of fish in the store and restaurants are safe to eat when you’re expecting two to three ounces per week, despite the long list of fish to limit during pregnancy. They include wild-caught salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, swordfish, halibut, cod, flounder, catfish and tilapia. You can also limit your fish intake if you have certain health conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.

How much fish should you eat a week when pregnant?

The guidelines recommend at least 8 ounces of seafood per week for adults and less for children. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding consume between 8 and 12 ounces per week of a variety of seafood from choices that are rich in omega 3s.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend that adults consume no more than 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of fish or shellfish a week. The AHA and ACSM also recommend limiting the amount of red meat, poultry, or fish that a person consumes to less than one-third of their daily caloric intake.

Which fish has the most mercury?

Larger and longer-lived fish tend to have more mercury. These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike. Smaller fish with small amounts of mercury in their tissues are more likely to be eaten by larger fish.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust and in seawater ( 1 ). It is also a byproduct of the breakdown of organic matter ( 2 ).

Can I eat fish two days in a row while pregnant?

As long as you limit the amount of seafood you eat and don’t eat too much red meat, it’s safe to eat fish if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you do eat seafood, be sure to check the label to make sure it is safe for you and your baby.

How much fish is too much?

She recommends two to four ounces of fish per week for good health. The FDA only recommends one 7-ounce helping per week of large fish, such as shark and swordfish. Officials advise no more than 14 ounces of seafood a week, or one serving per day, for seafood with lower levels of mercury.

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