Jenziba
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Member since 5/05 6265 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Seafood
I found this on ivillage...
Seafood and Pregnancy: What's Safe -- and What's Not
Fish and shellfish can be an important part of a balanced diet during pregnancy. They are a good source of high-quality protein, healthy omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients, and are low in saturated fat. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise women who may become pregnant, pregnant women and nursing mothers to eat the types and amounts of fish and shellfish that are safe. By doing so they will gain the positive benefits of eating fish, but prevent harm to the development of their baby.
Seafood Do's and Don'ts for Expecting and Nursing Moms:
1. DON'T eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
2. DO eat up to 12 ounces (2 to 3 meals) of other purchased fish and shellfish a week. Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
3. DO mix up the types of fish and shellfish you eat.
4. DON'T eat the same type of fish or shellfish more than once a week.
5. DO check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local rivers and streams. If no advice is available, you can safely eat up to 6 ounces (one meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.
Page Two: Get answers to your most-asked questions about mercury in fish and its effect on pregnancy
6 Most-Asked Questions about Mercury in Fish and Its Effect On Pregnancy
1. What is mercury?
Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and can also be released into the air through industrial pollution. It then falls from the air and can accumulate in streams and oceans, turning into methylmercury in the water. It is this type of mercury that is harmful to your baby. Fish absorb the methylmercury as they feed in these waters and so it may build up in the fish. It builds up more in some types of fish than others, depending on what the fish eat, which is why the levels in the fish vary.
2. Is there methylmercury in all fish?
Nearly all fish contain traces of methylmercury. However, larger fish that have lived longer have the highest levels of methylmercury because they've had more time to accumulate it. These large fish (swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish) pose the greatest risk to pregnant women. Other types of fish are safe to eat in the amounts recommended by the FDA and EPA.
3. Can I still eat tuna?
Mercury levels in tuna vary. Tuna steaks and canned albacore tuna generally contain higher levels of mercury than canned light tuna. You can safely eat up to six ounces of albacore a week.
4. Do I need to be concerned about locally caught fish?
Some kinds of fish and shellfish caught in your local waters may have higher or much lower than average levels of mercury. This depends on the levels of mercury in the water in which the fish are caught. Those fish with lower levels may be safely eaten more frequently and in larger amounts. Before you go fishing, check your fishing regulations booklet for information about local advisories. You can also contact your local health department for information about local advisories.
For further information about the safety of locally caught fish and shellfish, visit the EPA Fish Advisory Website or contact your state or local Health Department.
5. I'm not pregnant. Should I be concerned about methylmercury?
If you regularly eat types of fish that are high in methylmercury, it can accumulate in your bloodstream over time. Methylmercury is removed from the body naturally, but it may take over a year for the levels to drop significantly. Thus, it may be present in a woman even before she becomes pregnant. This is one of the reasons why women who are trying to become pregnant should also avoid eating certain types of fish.
6. I'm worried that I have been exposed to a large amount of methylmercury.
If you have questions, or think you've been exposed to large amounts of methylmercury, see your health care provider immediately.
For further information about the risks of mercury in fish and shellfish call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's food information line toll-free at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or visit the FDA Food Safety Website
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, December 2003
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Get yourself to Red Lobster 
Enjoy! 
