Seafood in Pregnancy: Benefiting You and Your Baby!

You are what you eat.  Choosing the right foods now can make a huge difference for your baby's growth and health!  Nutrient-rich foods like seafood are very beneficial to expectant moms and babies.  Not consuming atleast 2-3 servings of fish per week has even been associated with a higher risk of post-partum depression. Seafood is one of the only foods bursting with Omega-3 DHA fatty acids.  Consumption of this healthy fat has been linked with lower rates of preterm birth and may even boost a child's cognitive development!  Many moms-to-be worry about high levels of mercury in the fish they eat.  The following types of seafood are among the most popular and are SAFE!  These seafoods in 3 ounce servings have levels of mercury well-below the strict FDA safety guidelines:  Salmon, White (Albacore) Tuna, Pollock, Crab, Canned or Pouched Light Tuna, Scallops, Cod, Clams, Shrimp, Tilapia, and Catfish.

Official guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) and experts around the world agree:  (1) Eat seafood 2-3 times per week; (2) eat a variety of fish; (3) as much as half (six ounces) of fish each week can be from White (Albacore) tuna; (4) The only fish to avoid are shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.  (As a general rule, the bigger the fish, the higher it's content of mercury.)

So fear not, you seafood loving moms-to-be and enjoy!!! 

Special thanks to:  www.hmhb.org and www.aboutseafood.com.