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Is it Okay to Eat Fish While I’m Pregnant?

Salmon with fresh salad.Confused about whether you’re allowed to eat fish during pregnancy? You’re not alone.

Nutrition becomes even more important when you’re pregnant because everything you eat impacts the baby’s development. The dilemma with seafood is that, even though it contains nutrients essential for developing the fetal brain, it also contains mercury
and polychlorinated biphenyls, which can be harmful to the fetus when eaten in excess.

How Much Fish is Okay During Pregnancy?

Eating fish during pregnancy is not only safe, but beneficial, if you stay within the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines, which recommend eight to 12 ounces of fish per week. Eating two or three servings
of fish each week can aid in the development of the eyes and the brain. Recent studies also showed that women who ate twelve ounces of fish have children with higher IQ scores, communication skills, and fine motor coordination.

Are Some Types of Fish Healthier Than Others?

Even though consuming fish is perfectly healthy during pregnancy, there are some types of fish that you should avoid:

EatAvoid
The following fish are high in omega-3s, and low in mercury and PCBs.The following fish contain high levels of methyl-mercury, a potent neurotoxin dispersed into the air by coal-fired power plants.
Wild-Caught SalmonShark
Farmed OystersChilean Sea Bass
Farmed MusselsOrange Roughy
Rainbow TroutSwordfish

Nutrition During Pregnancy

Schedule an appointment with South Florida Women’s Care to learn more about nutrition during pregnancy and eating fish while pregnant.

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