How Much Fish To Eat While Pregnant?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women eat

at least 8 ounces and up to 12 ounces (340 grams) of a variety of seafood lower in mercury a week

.

Can I eat fish fillets during pregnancy?

What types of fish are safe to eat during pregnancy? Despite the long list of fish to limit during pregnancy, the vast majority of fish you’ll find in the store and at restaurants are considered safe to eat when you’re expecting at two to three servings (that’s 8 to 12 ounces) per week.

Can I eat fish in my second trimester?


Avoid eating large fish, such as swordfish, shark, and king mackerel

. These fish are known to contain high amounts of mercury, a chemical element that can harm your baby. Try to limit your intake of other seafood to 8 to 12 ounces per week , which is considered to be two to three average meal portions per week.

Is Surmai fish good during pregnancy?

She ate Surmai (also called Sear / King Mackerel Fish) We read about this online and found out that this fish contains high levels of mercury and

should be avoided in pregnancy

.

What fish can pregnant not eat?

  • Shark.
  • Swordfish.
  • King mackerel.
  • Tilefish.
  • Bigeye tuna (found in sushi)
  • Marlin.
  • Orange roughy.

What fish has a lot of mercury?

Overall,

larger and longer-lived fish

tend to contain the most mercury ( 4 ). These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike ( 5 ). Larger fish tend to eat many smaller fish, which contain small amounts of mercury.

Which fish is not good for pregnancy?

  • Bigeye tuna.
  • King mackerel.
  • Marlin.
  • Orange roughy.
  • Swordfish.
  • Shark.
  • Tilefish.

Is salmon safe during pregnancy?


Fully cooked salmon is safe for your baby in utero

, and it has many benefits including brain and eye development. 2 Smoked salmon is not considered safe unless it is canned in a shelf-stable way.

Is salmon good in pregnancy?

Fish is highly nutritious and a useful source of key nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acid, iodine and selenium. White fish can be eaten freely, but

during your pregnancy it’s best to limit oily fish (such as sardines, mackerel and salmon) to no more than twice per week

.

Is Kingfish safe during pregnancy?


Pregnant women should avoid large, predatory, high-mercury fish

like marlin, orange roughy, shark, king mackerel, swordfish, tilefish and some types of tuna. You also need to check fish advisories for mercury levels before consuming anything you’ve caught in local lakes.

Is Surmai fish high in mercury?

Very high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, Surmai or King Mackerel is indeed the king fish of the Indian ocean. However,

it is high in mercury

but that does not mean you cannot eat it.

Which fish is low in mercury?

Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are

shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish

. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore (“white”) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.

Can we eat fish in first trimester?

Fish also helps promote a healthy pregnancy.

Your medical practitioner will also encourage eating fish, especially during the first trimester of the pregnancy

. Moreover, fish has two essential Omega-3 fatty acids, namely EPA and DHA, which are difficult to find in other foods but essential for the baby’s development.

Can I have lobster while pregnant?

The good news is that

most types of seafood, including crab and lobster, are safe to eat while you’re pregnant

. Not only is it safe, eating seafood has a lot of benefits for you and your baby.

Can I eat shrimp while pregnant?


Yes, shrimp is safe to eat during pregnancy

. But don’t overdo it. Stick to two to three servings of seafood (including options like shrimp) a week and avoid eating it raw. Follow these recommendations and you’ll satisfy your taste buds — and cravings — without getting yourself or your baby ill.

How much fish is too much for mercury?

We also suggest that anyone who eats

24 ounces or more of fish per week

should steer clear of high-mercury choices. The dietary safety limit for methylmercury (a form of mercury that builds up in fish and shellfish) set by the EPA is 0.1 microgram per kilogram of body weight per day.

What happens if you eat too much mercury while pregnant?

If you come in contact with high levels of mercury during pregnancy,

it can cause real problems for you and your baby

. Mercury can damage many parts of your body, including your lungs, kidneys and nervous system (that includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves). It also can cause hearing and vision problems.

Is mackerel high in mercury?

Mackerel. Atlantic and Atka mackerel from Alaska are high in inflammation-fighting omega-3s and

low in mercury

, but not all mackerel get a thumbs-up. King mackerel, from the Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, has a high mercury content. Zumpano suggests limiting Spanish mackerel as well due to mercury concerns.

Is salmon high in mercury?

Salmon is

low in mercury

.

Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species.

Can you eat halibut when pregnant?


Good Choices (eat 1 serving a week) include grouper, halibut, mahi mahi, snapper and yellow fin tuna

. Fish to Avoid include swordfish, shark, orange roughy, marlin and mackerel. For a full list, click here. Any fish eaten by pregnant or breast-feeding women should be well-cooked, and never use a microwave to cook fish.

Can I eat steak while pregnant?

The FDA advises that for pregnant people,

steak should have an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.78 degrees Celsius) in order for it to be considered safe

. Those temperatures will minimize the risk of a bacterial infection.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.