Summary:
Most seafood is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids which are critical to development of the fetus. But what about the high mercury levels? Is it safe to eat seafood when you´re pregnant?

Details or Sample:
Eating a healthy diet is always important but it becomes even more critical to practice good nutrition during pregnancy. One question that often arises is the issue of seafood and pregnancy. Is it safe to eat seafood during pregnancy?

Most fatty seafood such as salmon is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. These are precursors of eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) which are important for normal development of the brain and nervous system of the unborn baby. These polyunsaturated fatty acids also play a critical role in the development of an unborn baby’s visual system. Unfortunately, most women don’t get enough omega 3’s in their diet which is particularly problematic during pregnancy.

If omega 3 fatty acids found in fish are critical to development of a fetus’s brain and nervous system, why is the consumption of seafood and pregnancy such an issue? Unfortunately, many forms of seafood are high in mercury which can be harmful to fetal development. Fish that have the highest levels of mercury tend to be larger in size such as swordfish and shark with smaller fish such as shrimp and sardines having low levels of mercury as a generalization. There are various sites on the internet where you can get a complete list of the average mercury content of various types of fish. This is a useful reference to have when making dietary decisions during pregnancy.

Another issue related to seafood and pregnancy relates to the consumption of raw fish. If you’re a fan of sushi bars, you may want to find another hangout during your pregnancy. Raw fish can be a hazard due to the risk of contracting parasites or bacteria from the uncooked fish. Plus, many of the fish used in sushi are high in mercury which is one more reason to avoid sushi restaurants until after your baby is born. If you have a passion for sushi, a safer alternative would be to create vegetarian sushi at home. You can find a variety of recipes for veggie sushi on the internet.

Doctor’s Analysis:

With their being both positives and negatives relating to the consumption of seafood and pregnancy, the best decision may be to limit your consumption of seafood to two servings per week. When you select seafood, choose only those seafoods that are known to be low in mercury. Print out a list of the average mercury content of selected fish so you can use

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Written by: Dr. Kristie
Available File Types:Text
Words: 470