Is it okay for me to eat sardines?

Question

I've been craving for sardines for awhile now and yesterday my brother got canned sardines and cooked it. I am 14 weeks pregnant and I was wondering if I could eat it?

Answer 1

Sure you can, but I'd limit how much you ate. Pregnant women and children are being told to limit tuna consumption to once per week because of mercury levels.

I would assume that sardines would be the same way, although it is the fish with the lowest levels of mercury. Read on:

The Sardine Diet is a high-fiber, reduced-calorie nutritional plan designed to help you attain ideal body weight and balance your Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids. New York-based dietitian and nutrition counselor Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN developed the plan and claims that a critical and optimal ratio between dietary fats can combat a host of health conditions.

The diet encourages eating a wide variety of natural foods, including lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and fruits high in fiber. However, the plan emphasizes tiny Nordic brisling sardines, as these fish contain among the lowest levels of mercury in seafood, while offering the most concentrated source of Omega-3 fatty acids—a vital nutrient lacking in the average American diet. Nordic brisling sardines also provide high concentrations of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals essential to proper nutrition, especially important in a weight-loss format.

Glassman claims that The Sardine Diet can help correct nutritional deficiencies inherent in the highly processed foods we typically eat by:

Boosting “good” essential Omega-3 fats
Cutting “bad” saturated fats and trans-fats
Restoring an ideal Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio
Assuring more lean protein
Offering more calcium and complementary vitamins and minerals
Introducing more fiber-rich foods
Reducing refined carbohydrates and high glycemic index foods
Properly hydrating your body tissues
Glassman supports her plan with research from cultures where there is a higher consumption of fish, showing a corresponding lower incidence of heart disease and stroke. Certain forms of cancer and diabetes also appear less frequently in these cultures. Omega-3 fatty acids found mostly in cold-water fish may be the key to many of these protective health benefits. Studies have proven that Omega-3’s can raise good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood.

Answer 2

You're craving sardines because your body is lacking in something that sardines have such as omega 3 or something like that

I wouldn't risk eating sardines but thats only my personal opinion

Answer 3

Fried sardines? Of course they're good to eat.

Answer 4

ask your doctor. Some of these canned fish like tuna and sardines are high in mercury. don't blame you.. I love sardines with chopped tomatoe, onion, mustard, lime juice on crackers !! Yummy ! They say that the foods you crave during pregnancy is what your body-baby needs in nutrients. I would call your doctor.

Answer 5

No it's not okay. Sardines are disgusting and wrong. Anyone who eats them should be banned from the world.

Answer 6

Yes, if you go to babycenter.com you can read more on what fish to stay away from. Some larger varieties of fish have high levels of mercury and should be avoided. However, sardines, if used as an occasional snack should be fine. I ate tunafish sandwiches during my pregnancy and never had problems, and now have a very healthy one yr. old girl. Congrats on your pregnancy!

Answer 7

First off sardines come already cooked from what I know of them, and of course you can have them -smiles- Just don't eat a real lot all the time, because they are concerned with mercury levels..-shrugs- I think babies did fine before this study came out lol....either way eat what you crave its good for you, cravings is your bodys way of telling you you need something...vitamines etc..
-smiles- plus they are yummy!!

Answer 8

Well, yeah. When you're pregnant and craving, normally it's because there's something in that food your body needs. Fish are good for your baby. You know the saying 'fish is brain food'? It's a saying for a reason. Help that kids cells get a jump on intelligence. The only thing you want to watch out for with fish is mercury levels.

Answer 9

i have heard sardines a good source of protean eat up girly

Answer 10

sure, why not?
Go get a book called " what to expect when you are expecting". It's the pregnancy bible and will help with all these questions. Your question as well as many others that you would not expect is in there. It's excellent in describing all of these little things that worry moms and help distinguish when something is "normal" or not.
Good Luck!