Eat Fish During Pregnancy
February 19, 2007 by ruth
Filed under Food & Nutrition
Should pregnant women eat fish or not? Previously, pregnant women have been warned against fish consumption due to the possibility of heavy metal poisoning, but a recent study published in The Lancet indicates that the advice to limit seafood consumption could actually be detrimental and that the benefits of fish in the maternal diet outweighs the risks. Women who ate more than 340 grams per week of fish or seafood (that’s 2 to 3 servings per week) had smarter children with better developmental skills.
Children whose mothers ate no seafood were 48 percent more likely to have a low verbal IQ score, compared to children whose mothers ate high amounts of seafood.
Read MSNBC’s news report, with its accompanying video report, as well as an interview with Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the lead author of the study, regarding the findings.
At any rate, some types of fish make better choices that others. See my previous entry on which fish is safe to eat for more info.
I wrote an article about this a few years ago for a parenting magazine. It’s not that fish is totally off limits — the trick is to avoid high-mercury fish. I’m so glad you reported this information! Fish is such a great source of protein and omega-3’s, it would be a shame if mommies-to-be avoided it entirely.
kk
Exactly, Kristen! While there are types that are better avoided, particularly during pregnancy, there are sorts that remain safe.