Everyone agrees that fish is good for you, but what kinds, how much and whether it is safe for pregnant women seems to be in a constant state of flux.  What to eat during pregnancy can be a little controversial when it comes to fish.

When you are already worrying about what to eat during pregnancy, all the controversy may seem like too much to handle.  Not to worry – we can clear it all up – more or less.

Why is Fish Controversial?
There are two reasons that fish is controversial; ecology and mercury.  The first relates to issues of overfishing, the effect of fish on the ecological balance and so forth.  From a pregnancy standpoint those aren’t at question.  The second, mercury content, is very important with regards to your pregnancy.

Mercury is a heavy metal that accumulates in the cells of predators that are high on the food chain.  For example, sharks contain more mercury than sardines.  What does that mean to you as a pregnant woman?  It means that if you eat fish that contain high levels of mercury, you could, potentially, endanger the development of your child’s brain.

How likely is this to happen?  The chances are slim, unless you make a point of eating fish that are on the watch list as containing unsafe levels of mercury or even high levels of mercury.  On the positive side, it seems that the brain boosting powers of deep sea fish–for example omega 3s–help prevent that same damage.

Keep an eye on the safe fish list and stick to those that are safest, in other words, those that contain the least mercury and PCBs.

What About Shell Fish?
In general, shell fish are just as safe as regular fish during your pregnancy.  There are some exceptions, though.  Any raw shell fish should be avoided.  The same holds true for raw fish.  The reason is that raw foods may contain parasites and bacteria that can be harmful to you and your baby.

If you cook clams, oysters and muscles at home, make sure they are thoroughly cooked.  Throw out any whose shells remain closed after the cooking process. Lobster and shrimp should be cooked until the color has turned properly red, and scallops should be completely opaque.

The Up Side
A fairly recent study that tackled the issue of eating fish during pregnancy has encouraging results.  In this extensive, although self reported study, women were followed through pregnancy and their children were followed for 8 years after delivery.  Women who ate 12 of more ounces of fish per week while pregnant had measurably smarter kids.

While it is impossible to draw definitive conclusions from just one study, regardless of how large it was, there seems to be some confirmation to what your mother told you.  Fish may indeed be brain food.

Fish provides great lean protein, a number of heart healthy fats and is known to offer all sorts of health benefits.  As long as your fish is properly cooked it is reasonable to believe that you can certainly eat fish during your pregnancy.

Follow this link: I Don't Know what to Eat During Pregnancy; Can I Eat Fish?