Eating fish can go from one of the healthiest meals to eat when you aren’t expecting to one of the more dangerous meals when you are expecting. Fish are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids (great for your baby’s brain development), protein, and many other nutrients, as well as being low in saturated fats, which makes a wide variety of fish the ultimate diet foods. As soon as you become pregnant and start searching the internet for information on having a healthy pregnancy, you will probably find yourself swimming in information warning you about the dangers of eating fish that could be high in mercury while you are pregnant. So, what fish can you eat while you are pregnant, and what fish should you avoid?
An easy way to remember what fish to avoid and what fish to eat while you are pregnant is to think logically about what fish would have the greatest chance of gathering up a large amount of mercury. Because predatory fish and those kinds of fish that live longer have the greatest chances of gathering up larger amounts of mercury, these are fish that you should avoid eating while you are pregnant.
So what are some predatory and longer-living fish? Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.
For foods that friends or family may have caught locally, if you don’t feel like doing the research necessary to find out what the mercury levels of these fish might be, you should avoid them. If you do want to do the research on these fish, you can call your local health department to see if they have information on the mercury levels of local fish.
Don’t let concern over mercury scare you away from fish completely during your pregnancy, because certain kinds of fish are not only good for you and the baby, but should be part of your pregnancy diet. In fact, WebMD recommends that you eat at least 12 ounces of fish a week. So, what fish should you be eating during your pregnancy?
Fish You Can Eat During Pregnancy: Shrimp
If you love a good shrimp cocktail, then you are in luck! Shrimp is one of the shellfish that are safe and good to eat during your pregnancy.
Fried probably isn’t the best varied of shrimp to consume while you are pregnant, but there are many other ways that you can prepare this tasty little creature. You might try and shrimp pasta, such as alfredo. You could eat the shrimp simply cooked with a tasty cocktail sauce, as I mentioned before, or you could stir fry some shrimp with fresh vegetables.
Safe Fish You Can Eat During Pregnancy: Canned Light Tuna
Albacore tuna is higher in mercury than light tuna, so if you are into tuna salad sandwiches or you enjoy adding some tuna to your salad, consider replacing your albacore tuna with light tuna. Tuna sandwiches are a great food that can be prepared quickly and eaten on the run or packed for lunch.
Safe Fish You Can Eat During Pregnancy: Anchovies
If you enjoy eating these little fish on your pizza, then continue to order them on your pizza. Ordering anchovies on your pizza can be a way to satisfy those pregnancy craving while still getting some great nutrients in your body for you and your developing baby.
Safe Fish You Can Eat During Pregnancy: Oysters
Rumored to be an aphrodisiac, this shellfish not only has the potential to spice up your sex life, although if you are pregnant it is probably spicy enough, it is also a great source of nutrients for you and your developing baby. There are so many ways that oysters can be prepared for consumption you can enjoy this tasty little critter without getting tired of having to eat it the same way over and over. If you haven’t tried oysters before then you might go to a local seafood restaurant, where oysters are prepared many different ways, to give them a try
Safe Fish You Can Eat During Pregnancy: Sardines
My mother used to eat sardines, fresh out of the can, on crackers. While this snack was one of her favorites, it never really appealed to me, however, if you enjoy sardines on crackers, or eaten any other way, keep on enjoying them because they are a fish that you can eat during your pregnancy.
Safe Fish You Can Eat During Pregnancy: Salmon
Salmon is another seafood that can be prepared in many different ways that is quite tasty and a fish that you can eat during pregnancy. My favorite way to eat salmon is in the form of a salmon patty. Salmon patties are so easy to make, especially when you purchase canned salmon that already has the skin and bones removed. All you have to do to make salmon patties is chop up some onion, smash some saltine crackers, and mix these two ingredients with shredded salmon (skinless and boneless) and egg. Then you simply make for the mixture into patties, like you would hamburger, and place them in a heated frying pan with some olive oil until they are brown on both sides. I even love this treat cold as a late night snack.
These are just a few of the types of fish that you can eat during pregnancy. It is also safe and good for you to enjoy pollock, catfish, Atlantic herring, trout, scallops, mussels, and Atlantic mackerel.
No matter what kind of fish you enjoy that is also safe to eat during your pregnancy, be sure to eat plenty of it, it’s good for you and your developing baby!
Note: This information is not meant to take the place of a doctor’s advice on what to consume or not consume during pregnancy.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/mercury-rising
