ok..so is it good or is it bad?

Question

I have heard SOOOO many different answers....plz try to clear this up for me....Is it good or OK to eat seafood when pregnant or is it bad and or harmful?? Plz....tell me what you think or know. Thanks

Answer 1

Fish is a healthful alternative to red meat during pregnancy and supplies hefty amounts of the type of oils, called omega-3 fatty acids, needed for the development of your baby's vision and nervous system. However, some seafood is safer than others.

The biggest concerns about eating fish during pregnancy are bacterial food poisoning and chemical contaminants in fish that come from polluted waters. Purchasing fresh fish and taking care to handle and prepare fish properly will help reduce or kill bacteria. You have less control over chemical contaminants. Some pesticides and environmental residues, such as PCBs and PBBs, have leached into the water supply and accumulate in some freshwater fish. PCB and related contaminants have been associated with a reduced birth weight, behavioral problems, and poorer recognition and memory in infants. The toxic metal mercury also accumulates in some fish and is known to cause nerve damage.

A Consumer Reports study found that 30% of sampled fish were of poor quality, half of the fish were contaminated by bacteria, and some samples were contaminated with PCBs and mercury. Although the sample size in this study was small and might not be representative of the total supply of edible fish, it does provide food for thought and sheds doubt on the safety of some fish for pregnant women.

So what can you do? A general guideline is to choose low-fat fish, since most contaminants are stored in fatty tissue. The fish most likely to be contaminated with harmful pesticides or metals are those from freshwater sources. Marine fish, with the exception of tuna, shark, mackerel, tilefish, and swordfish, and inshore species such as bluefish and striped bass, are relatively safe. However, a recent report from the Environmental Working Group warned that other fish should be avoided during pregnancy because of mercury contamination. These fish include Gulf coast oysters, sea bass, halibut, marlin, pike, and white croaker. Your safest bets, in order of safety from least likely to most likely to be contaminated, are:

Freshwater: Near shore: Offshore:
Yellow perch Pink salmon Cod
White perch Chum salmon Haddock
Brook trout Sockeye salmon Pollock
Rainbow trout

Always check your local health department or department of fisheries about the safety of fish caught in your local lakes and streams. In addition, purchase only very fresh fish and use within 24 hours of purchase.

Raw fish, such as sushi, probably should be avoided during pregnancy, since a few people have eaten raw fish that contains parasites and developed hepatitis A. The chances are minimal, but why take the risk? You can still have some types of sushi -- just enjoy selections that use cooked fish.

Answer 2

I'm sorry but these people that are posting don't know what they are talking about. You can have seafood but in small amounts. Say you want tunafish........One can a week Is all youre suppose to consume. this is because the fish may contain very high amounts of Mercury. Like anything else, just eat in moderation. Also say away from the raw fish all together.

Answer 3

If I remember right, you can have seafood as long as it's not out of say, someone's private pond. I think it has to be like a commerically-used water source. And I wouldn't eat it frequently. (Check w/ your doctor on that). Canned tuna should be limited to one can a week (because of the mercury in it)

Answer 4

If its been cooked, it is fine...

if it is raw - just like any other meat - do not eat it.

These are the fish not to eat at all though -

shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish

anything else is fine as long as you dont eat it more than once a week.

Answer 5

My Dr. told me no shellfish. And actually on the local news here last night they had a thing on fish and said pregnant women should avoid fish high in mercury.

Answer 6

This question arises during pregnancy because of the possible exposure to bacteria in fish which may cause food poisoning and to chemicals that have contaminated the oceans and lakes. Certain tropical fish have natural toxins that can hurt you or your baby.