Most of my patients often ask me if fish is safe during pregnancy? Below are the guidelines I have listed for pregnant women on ‘Fish in Pregnancy’ – what is safe and what is unsafe.
Fish contains saturated fats but is also a very good source of proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamins.
It is safe to consume 2 to 3 servings of low mercury-containing fish per week.
Which fish is safe to consume during pregnancy?
In pregnancy it is safe to consume:
- Smoked fish such as smoked salmon and trout
- Raw or lightly cooked fish as in sushi
- Cooked shellfish, such as mussels, lobster, crab, prawns, scallops, and clams
- Cold pre-cooked prawns
- Salmon and shrimp are safe throughout pregnancy.
What should be avoided during pregnancy?
One should avoid consuming:
- More than 2 portions of oily fish per week, such as salmon, trout, mackerel, or herring. (oily fish can have pollutants such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls and these can harm the fetus.)
- More than 2 tuna steaks (tuna is high in mercury and it can be harmful to the fetus)
- One must totally avoid swordfish, marlin, shark, raw shellfish.
- Tuna is high mercury-containing fish therefore best avoided.
