a question for breastfeeding moms?

Question

Is it safe to eat four cans of chunk lite tuna a month? I have been eating one can a week and I am concerned that I might be eating too much. I eat one small can a week.

Answer 1

That's absolutely fine, and very healthy. If you were eating it everyday, or multiple times aday, then it would be of concern.

Answer 2

Light tuna, on average, has less mercury than albacore tuna.

When pregnant, the FDA says that 12 oz of light tuna per week or six ounces of albacore per week is the limit.

I'd say work from there. If you're in love with tuna, I guess you could eat a can a week, but there are healthier sources for your fish oils.

In general, wild is healthier vs. farmed. Smaller is healthier vs. large (ie. no shark or swordfish). Wild Pacific Salmon is one of the best. (Make sure it's WILD PACIFIC (or Alaskan) Salmon...farm raised atlantic is horrible as far as mercury).

I rarely eat tuna now because of the breastfeeding issue, but I DO eat Wild Alaskan Salmon and Sardines about once a week.

Answer 3

One small can is, probably, OK, but if I were you, I wouldn't continue eating this much. Tuna is a big fish, and big fish is known to contain mercury which is harmful for unborn and breastfeeding babies.

However, as fish is a good sourse of DHA and ARA (important amino acids cruicial for brain development also known as fish oil) for you and your baby, you should not stop eating fish altogether. Regular tuna (not lite) once a month would be better. And smaller fish whenever you feel like it!

Answer 4

I swear I just answered this question!
I don`t see why it would not be safe! Usually they give you tuna on your WIC checks, and if it safe to eat while you are pregnant, than i assume it is safe to eat while breastfeeding.

Answer 5

its fine in fact good..
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish—especially oily fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring. These omega-3 fatty acids can help lower your blood pressure, lower your heart rate, and improve other cardiovascular risk factors.
Eating fish reduces the risk of death from heart disease, the leading cause of death in both men and women. Fish intake has also been linked to a lower risk of stroke, depression, and mental decline with age.
For pregnant women, mothers who are breastfeeding, and women of childbearing age, fish intake is important because it supplies DHA, a specific omega-3 fatty acid that is beneficial for the brain development of infants.

The protein in tuna contains all essential amino acids required by the body for growth and maintenance of lean muscle tissue. The protein in tuna and all other fish protein are considered to be a complete protein sources.
The protein source can be important to lose weight because high quality proteins such as the protein in tuna can be used to maintain an active metabolism. Low quality protein contains low amounts of the essential amino acids required for use in protein synthesis and means the protein must either be used for energy or converted to fat.

good luck

Answer 6

If you over indulge in anything it is bad, I ate pretty much what I wanted while breastfeeding unless it gave me or my baby heartburn or gas, and different foods does different things to different people. I would suggest you stick with the basic food groups, and remember everything you eat your baby eats. Even leafy green veggies is the way to go brocolli used to give me heartburn so I started limiting myself.

Answer 7

some say that tuna can contain mercury, but I read in book that tuna can is safe, but better if you eat in small portion

Answer 8

If you vaccinate, you child is getting over 35% more Mercury from the vaccines then from a can of tuna that gets filtered through your milk.
I'd be more concerned about those shots...

Answer 9

Yes it is safe to eat, but dr's recommend that you limit your consumption to 6 oz. per week. You are perfectly fine!

Answer 10

well im not a breat feeding mom but i am taking a child develpent class and its about babies and no it healty to eat my mom ate tuna when she was pregnant with me and i was a very healthy baby.