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To eat or not to eat: Because fish may be contaminated with
mercury or other pollutants, the FDA and other agencies recently
issued safety guidelines for expectant seafood lovers. Fish
is still good for you and your baby-to-be—just follow these
restrictions (which also apply to nursing moms). -EE
| FISH |
HOW OFTEN |
WHY |
| Salmon (not smoked), sardines (in their own oil), herring,
cod, haddock, flounder, pollack, shrimp, crab, lobster
(but not the liver), scallops, fish sticks |
Two 6-ounce servings a week (or no more than 12 ounces
total) |
The omega-3 fatty acids found in these types of fish
boost fetal brain development and may prevent postpartum
depression. |
| Canned Tuna |
Two 6-ounce cans of light tuna a week, one 6-ounce
can of white (albacore) tuna per week |
High levels of mercury in utero can lead to neurological problems at birth. Albacore
contains twice the mercury as the light variety. |
| Freshwater (caught in lakes, ponds, and rivers) |
Once a week (but no more than 6 oz total) |
Contain higher levels of mercury than the ocean variety. |
| Striped bass and bluefish |
Varies- from twice a month to never. (Pollution levels
are different from state to state, so call your local
health agency.) |
Because contaminants are stored in fat, the fattier
the fish, them ore likely it is to contain PCB’s and other
pollutants. |
| Swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish, tuna steaks |
Never |
The mercury level in these fish is dangerously high.
(Tuna steaks come from a larger species than the canned
type and thus contain more mercury.) |
| Raw fish, such as sushi or oysters; undercooked seafood,
such as mussels or clams; smoked fish |
Never |
May contain harmful bacteria, such as listeria
or Bivrio vulnificus, which can cause serious
illnesses, such as meningitis. |
**No fish from Michigan lakes, both
inland and great lakes**
P 52, Parenting Magazine- June/July 2001
Issue
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