Eating tuna in moderation during pregnancy is safe, as it does not contain enough mercury to harm the mother or baby. However, pregnant women should avoid high-mercury fish like shark, tilefish, swordfish, and mackerel. Canned tuna is better than tuna steaks, and raw tuna for sushi should be avoided. Eating too much tuna can cause brain damage or nervous system problems in a baby. Pregnant women should consult a doctor about their diet.
Eating tuna during pregnancy can be safe when done in moderation. Many types of fish contain mercury which, in large amounts, can be harmful to an unborn baby. Tuna eaten in small portions does not contain enough mercury to harm a pregnant mother or her baby. Adding some fish to a diet during pregnancy can really be beneficial, although it’s important to know which types are safe to eat.
The concern with eating tuna while pregnant is that many fish have been shown to contain mercury. The different elements that can be found in the ocean contain mercury, which accumulates in some fish that absorb it through their gills. Shark, tilefish, swordfish and mackerel have very high levels of mercury and it is suggested that pregnant women do not eat these varieties of fish.
Fish is a generally healthy food, and when eaten in moderation, it can help a developing baby have better cognitive abilities after birth. This suggests that a woman who eats tuna during pregnancy may be helping her baby. The key to eating tuna during pregnancy is moderation. Two servings of tuna per week is appropriate for a pregnant woman.
The variety of tuna consumed also plays a big factor in the tuna and pregnancy equation. Tuna steaks contain more mercury than canned tuna. It is better for pregnant women who want to eat tuna to eat one or two sandwiches made from canned tuna each week and avoid eating tuna steaks until after the baby is born.
Raw tuna used for sushi and sashimi dishes should be completely avoided during pregnancy. Raw fish, in general, can contain higher levels of mercury than cooked fish. Most sushi is made with yellowfin tuna, which contains higher amounts of mercury than some other varieties of tuna. Albacore tuna, from which most tuna in a can is made, contains much less. All raw sushi should be avoided during pregnancy, including rolls made with lower-mercury fish, because raw fish can also be contaminated with other types of bacteria that can be dangerous to an unborn baby.
Eating too much tuna during pregnancy can cause brain damage or nervous system problems in a baby. As a general rule, a pregnant woman who enjoys canned tuna once or twice a week should have nothing to worry about. Concerned mothers should always consult a doctor to help decide which foods can be enjoyed during pregnancy.
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