What seafood is safe to eat during pregnancy?
Fish and shellfish can be an important part of a balanced diet. It is a good source of high quality protein and other nutrients and is low in fat. The FDA and EPA are advising pregnant women and nursing mothers to eat the types and amounts of fish and shellfish that are safe to prevent harm to the development of their baby or young child. Methyl mercury exposure in the womb, which can result from a mother’s consumption of fish and shellfish that contain methyl mercury, can adversely affect a baby’s growing brain and nervous system. If you follow advice given by FDA and EPA you will gain the positive benefits of eating fish but avoid any developmental problems from mercury in fish. To protect your baby follow these 3 rules: • Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish. • Levels of mercury in other fish can vary. You can safely eat up to 12 ounces (2 to 3 meals) of other purchased fish and shellfish a week. Mix up the types of fish and shellfish you eat and do not eat the sa
