Fish is a very healthy option for non-vegetarians. Find out if it is safe to eat fish during pregnancy and what are the fishes you should avoid eating when you are expecting a child. Also, find out how much of fish is ideal for pregnancy diet.Being pregnant might make you think that you have to morph into a nutrition expert in one night. What you consume on a daily basis will have a substantial effect on the
development of your baby. Some food options are highly recommended like eating lots of fruits and vegetables but some are a little difficult to decide like the safety of fish and especially different types of seafood. Some types of fish are unsafe where as some are safe to be consumed during pregnancy. Read on to know more about it.
Can I have Fish during Pregnancy?
Fish has an optimum combination of lean protein, vitamins and omega fatty acids which makes it one of the best types of food you can have during
pregnancy. Protein is the ultimate building block of life and in pregnancy women require 30% more protein (the figure depends upon the
trimester) to fulfil the requirement of the growing foetus. However, some types of fish contain high level of mercury which can cause harmful effects on the development of your baby. So, if you want to eat fish, you must check with your doctor about types of fish which are safe for you to consume. Apart from that you need to use safe cooking methods to enjoy the optimum health benefits that fish provides.
Benefits of Having Fish during Pregnancy
Research shows that fish contains polyunsaturated fatty acid or PUFA that when present in moderate quantities in the diet of pregnant women stimulate the development of brain, increases the anti inflammatory resistive properties of the body. The anti inflammation properties actually counter the negative properties of mercury that are said to cause the maximum side effects.
According to research the pregnant women who consumed 3-5 servings of fish per week gave birth to babies who developed better motor skills and enhanced communication skills. All that you need to do is, make sure that the variety of fish that you choose is safe for you to eat during pregnancy.
Harmful Effects of Eating Fish during Pregnancy
As mentioned before, there are certain types of fish which lie at the very top of the food chain like shellfish, sharks, King Mackerel and swordfish. These kinds of fishes contain very high level of chemicals like methyl mercury which are actually neurotoxins. Mercury is one of the most dangerous neurotoxins that can badly damage the brain and its negative effects totally eradicate the beneficial effects of fish oil.
Mercury can also pass on to babies from the breast milk of lactating women so make sure that you avoid these kind of fishes even after delivery. Many types of sea Fish also contain flame retardant property containing PCB’s which has been linked to causing cancer and brain damage.
Some kinds of fish like Tuna are on the edge of extinction and it is better from an ethical and ecological point of view to leave them alone. It’s estimated that the global tuna catching business kills more than a few thousand tons of marine life in the form of by-catch annually. Other types of fish to avoid having are Orange Roughy, Atlantic Salmon and Chilean Sea Bass.
Is it Healthy to Have Fish during Pregnancy?
Fish is a very healthy food option during pregnancy provided that you choose the correct type of fish. The fish type you choose should have high amount of omega 3 fatty acids and negligible amount of mercury. Some good options are Anchovies, Trout, mackerel, sardines, shrimp and catfish as they contain very low amount of mercury. Fish should be properly cleaned and cooked before consumption as otherwise there is risk of contracting food poisoning and stomach infection.
Is it Safe to Eat Fish during Pregnancy?
As long as you have got yourself tested for potential allergies and have tested negative for the same there should not be any safety issue associated with the consumption of fish. Make sure that you consult with your nutritionist about the perfect pregnancy
diet plan containing optimum serving of fish.
The usual recommended serving is 6 ounces of fish per week. It is best to avoid exotic varieties of fish like shark and swordfish for consumption. It is only required to be a bit cautious while selecting fish during pregnancy.
Is it healthy to eat fish during pregnancy? Is it harmful to eat fish during pregnancy? What are the benefits of eating fish during pregnancy? Discuss here. 
