Satisfying Food Cravings Safely

Satisfying Food Cravings Safely

July 24th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Most women at some point in their pregnancy will suddenly feel an incredible craving for some type of food. Whether it’s ice cream or pickles, or both as the old pregnancy tale goes, the urge to get some of what you want right away can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to ignore.

Most food cravings are entirely harmless. If you really want something sweet or a salty snack, it’s ok to have one. There are a few caveats to this, of course. Simply put, the answer to the question of whether it’s ok to satisfy a food craving is that it depends what you are craving.

Remember Moderation

If you are craving something not particularly healthful, such as potato chips or a chocolate bar, it won’t hurt if you give in. However, if you start to crave that type of food all the time and consume it regularly, you will be replacing healthy foods with those lacking in nutrition and high in fat. Satisfy that sweet tooth or that need for salt, but do so within reason. Don’t eat the whole bag of chips or the whole tub of ice cream. You probably only need a small amount to make that craving go away, and you really won’t feel very good afterwards if you over-do it.

Of course, if you happen to be craving healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, eat as much as you would like! Just be sure to vary your choices to get a range of nutrients in your diet.

The best way to deal with a craving for a food that is less than healthy is to wait it out. Most cravings will go away if you distract yourself and force your body to wait before you give in. If you wait and the craving doesn’t fade, the next best solution is to try to find a food that is similar but a little healthier. If you are craving French fries, try baked sweet potato fries instead. Try to satisfy a desire for potato chips with a baked snack cracker. If you really must have chocolate, choose a small amount of dark chocolate, which contains healthy anti-oxidants. Use caution with chocolate, however, as it does contain caffeine.

Cravings for Strange, Unhealthy Things

Some women suffer from cravings for very unusual things during pregnancy. This is known as pica. Women may find themselves craving completely inedible things such as dirt, bleach, or soap. There is a great deal of speculation and discussion on what causes pica, but the jury is still out. It is possible that it may be linked to mineral deficiencies such as low iron. It goes without saying that you can’t give in to these cravings. If they become bothersome, contact your doctor.

If you are craving something not quite so strange but still not advisable for consumption during pregnancy such as alcohol or sushi, you will likely have to do your best to ignore it. You can try the above advice and have a substitute, such as dealcoholized wine, or sushi that does not contain raw fish. Unfortunately, if this doesn’t work, you are going to have to tough it out. It isn’t worth the danger of consuming something that could harm your baby.

The good news is, giving in to most normal pregnancy cravings won’t harm the baby, as long as you eat junk foods in small amounts and try to find healthy alternatives that will satisfy the craving while keeping your pregnancy diet on track.

Nutrition: The Role of Carbohydrates

Nutrition: The Role of Carbohydrates

July 23rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

In recent years, carbs have replaced fat as the scapegoat in weight gain. Low-carb and no-carb diets have come into fashion. The problem is that carbohydrates are necessary to good health and nutrition. The body uses carbs to create glucose, which provides your system with energy. Carbohydrates essentially fuel the body.

The Types of Carbohydrates

There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbs are foods high in both natural and added sugars. They break down quickly and tend to be higher in calories with less nutritional value. Fruits are a natural source of simple carbs, but any processed food that contains extra sugar, or any form of sugar is included in this category. These foods include sodas, candy, baked goods such as cakes and cookies, and even white bread.

Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, take longer to break down and include starches and dietary fiber. These types of carbs include foods such as potatoes, rice, breads, grains and many vegetables. The key to getting the healthy complex carbs is to choose foods made with whole grains. This means choosing whole wheat bread instead of white or brown rice rather than white rice.

Because these foods take longer for your body to break down, they will keep you feeling full longer, which can curb overeating and keep your calorie intake in check. They will also give you extended energy rather than the quick bursts of energy provided by simple carbs.

Whole grains are also a healthier choice because they have not been processed or refined, and all of their nutritional content is intact. Some refined grains have the nutrition added back in after processing, and these are called enriched grains. Although a healthier choice than those that have not been enriched, you are still better off going with the natural whole grain. Enriched grains will not be able to provide you with the same amount of dietary fiber or have the other benefits of eating whole grains.

There is a place for simple carbs in a healthy diet, but try to get them from natural sources such as fruit which also provide nutritional benefits. Foods with added sugars should be an occasional treat.

How Much Should You Eat?

The right amount of carbohydrates ranges from 45-65% of your diet. This means that you should be eating more carbohydrates than either protein or fat. However, these carbs should mostly be in the form of complex carbohydrates.

With your intake of carbs each day, you should aim to ingest the appropriate amount of dietary fiber. The right amount for you depends on the number of calories you are eating each day. If you are eating the correct carbs, it shouldn’t be difficult to meet your body’s fiber needs. Spread the fiber out over the day so that you can stay full and prevent overeating of other, less healthy foods. You will find that when you are consuming the correct amount of fiber, you won’t have much room in your diet for unhealthy foods.

While low-carb diets will probably be successful in helping you to lose weight, in the long run it is not a healthy diet. You will be robbing your body of necessary energy. Choosing instead to cut simple carbs from your diet and continuing to fuel your body with healthy, whole grain choices will result in not only a healthier body weight, but also more energy.

Food Cravings and Nutritional Deficiencies

Food Cravings and Nutritional Deficiencies

July 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Although most food cravings during pregnancy don’t signify anything other than hormones, hunger, or suggestibility, some experts believe that strange food cravings may actually be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. These unusual cravings for inedible non-food items are known as pica, and they affect a very small number of women.

Normal Cravings During Pregnancy

Most pregnant women will experience some sort of craving for a food or beverage at some point in the pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones are generally to blame. Food cravings can be just as much emotional as physical, especially during pregnancy when those hormones are causing emotions to run high. Certain foods may bring a sense of comfort or security.

Many women will notice that they seem to be very suggestible during pregnancy. A commercial for or mention of a certain food can set off a very strong craving for that item.

Generally, food cravings during pregnancy are for normal foods, although not always the healthiest choices. Some women do crave very healthy foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, but most crave junk foods such as potato chips, baked goods, or ice cream. While not all of these cravings are a good idea to indulge regularly, they don’t indicate any sort of problem and are a completely normal part of pregnancy. Most often, a food craving is not for a food that contains any special amount of nutrition, so it seems very unlikely that the body is trying to tell you something by craving a food that won’t supply much nourishment.

The main problem that might arise from this type of craving is causing a certain level of irritation to the father to be who is sent out in search of a certain food at random times of the day and night!

Abnormal Cravings

While most women will crave completely harmless foods, a small percentage will experience a condition known as pica. This term is used to describe a craving for something very unusual, non-nutritive, and generally unsafe for consumption. These cravings can include dirt, soaps and detergents, and other odd choices.

There are some people who believe that this type of craving may be related to a nutritional deficiency of some kind, however there is currently no strong evidence to confirm it. Presently, no one really knows what actually causes pica.

If you have reason to suspect you have some sort of deficiency in your diet, you should talk to your doctor. Most pregnant women who are eating a balanced diet and taking a prenatal supplement daily are not at risk for a major nutritional deficiency. The most likely nutrient to become too low during pregnancy is iron, and this is indicated by symptoms such as fatigue, and not by food cravings. Although you may often hear people say things like “I am craving meat, my iron must be low!” there is no evidence to support pregnancy cravings as being connected with low levels of vitamins or minerals.

If you are craving a healthy food, go right ahead and indulge it. It probably doesn’t mean you were low on the nutrients provided by that food, but it certainly can’t hurt to consume a little more. On the other hand, cravings for unhealthy or junk foods should be satisfied carefully and in moderation, to keep your diet healthy and balanced.

A Healthy Eating Plan for Pregnancy

A Healthy Eating Plan for Pregnancy

July 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When you are pregnant, good nutrition is more important than ever before. Your baby is depending on you to provide everything necessary for normal growth and development. Because the baby will draw on your body’s stores of important vitamins and minerals, you must be sure to replace them through your diet. It’s important to be extra-cautious with those nutrients that the body isn’t able to produce or store on its own; these must be replaced on a daily basis.

A Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet from a variety of food choices in the best way to ensure adequate nutrition for yourself and for baby. Fill up on healthy choices such as fruits and vegetables, and avoid empty calories from sugary choices. You will need to eat from all of the food groups every day, in the appropriate amounts, so it will require close attention to what you are consuming.

Nutrients of Special Importance During Pregnancy

The job of growing a little person in your womb requires certain nutrients more than you might previously have been consuming them. Make sure you are getting enough of these key nutrients for a healthy baby:

  • Folate or folic acid: Found in leafy greens such as spinach and kale, folate has been shown to greatly reduce the likelihood of a number of birth defects, including spina bifida. Pregnant women should increase their intake of foods rich in folate early on – in fact it’s a good idea when you are just starting to try to conceive.
  • Calcium: Your baby is developing his new bones, and this will require a great deal of calcium to make them grow strong. Pregnant women should get extra calcium to prevent the baby from depleting their body’s stores.
  • Iron: Women often become anemic during pregnancy as the baby draws on the body’s iron supply.

Of course, these are just a few of the many nutrients vital to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Every vitamin and mineral should be represented in your diet, as well as the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

Prenatal Supplements

Almost every woman will be told to take a prenatal supplement throughout their pregnancy. Especially when you are feeling ill in the first trimester, this can help your body to continue feeding the growing child. Making sure you are getting everything your baby needs by taking a supplement is a good safeguard against oversights in your diet.

While prenatal supplements are available over the counter, you can also ask your doctor to write you a prescription. These supplements may be of higher quality, and as an added bonus, your insurance plan will likely cover the cost.

Weight Loss and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body will naturally gain weight. It is never a good idea to cut calories or attempt to lose weight while you are pregnant. If you are concerned about your weight gain, talk to your doctor. Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and replace them with healthy choices to keep from putting on unnecessary pounds. If you are eating a balanced diet during your pregnancy, you should not gain weight at more than the normal rate. If you feel this is the case, it is possible you have gestational diabetes. Most women will be tested for this during pregnancy, but if you have not been and are concerned, ask your doctor.

Eating right during pregnancy is vital to a healthy mother and baby too. Throughout your pregnancy, take extra care to ensure your diet contains everything your baby needs.

Vital Minerals for your Pregnancy Diet

Vital Minerals for your Pregnancy Diet

July 20th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are a number of minerals that are essential to life, and they should already be a part of your diet prior to becoming pregnant. However, once you have a baby growing inside you, there are a few minerals that become extra important to support that baby. Getting more of these minerals in your pregnancy diet will ensure your baby is growing and developing right on track.

Some minerals can be stored in the body, while others can not. Those that can be stored will offer a supply for the baby to draw on throughout the pregnancy. You will need to replace them daily, however, so that your own needs are being met as well. Those that the body does not store are even more crucial to your daily diet. You need to replace them every day through the foods you eat to make sure there is enough for you and your baby too.

Make sure that you are getting enough of these two absolutely essential minerals during your pregnancy, along with all of the minerals your body needs.

Calcium for Bones and More

Well-known as the mineral that supports healthy bones, calcium also does a lot more. It also supports the muscles, circulatory system, and the nervous system as well. It’s an essential mineral for a healthy body, and it becomes even more essential during pregnancy. As the baby draws on the mother’s calcium supply through the placenta, the mother must continue to replace it. Otherwise, the baby will draw on the stores of calcium from the mother’s bones, which can result in problems such as osteoporosis later in life.

Consume calcium along with vitamin D to ensure it is absorbed well into your system. Dairy products are the best source of calcium, but other foods such as leafy greens can provide it as well. This mineral becomes especially essential during the second and third trimesters, but you should go ahead and increase your intake right when you find out you are pregnant.

Iron for Your Blood

Because the volume of blood in your body increases dramatically during pregnancy, iron becomes more important than ever before. Iron helps to create red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body. Too little can result in anemia which is unhealthy for mother and baby too. Iron is also responsible for helping baby’s muscles to develop properly.

Iron rich foods such as red meat, poultry, and fish are great sources of this important mineral. Beans, green vegetables such as broccoli and berries like raspberries and strawberries also provide iron. If you are at risk of anemia or have already been diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe a supplement. You will likely be tested for anemia during your pregnancy as a precaution.

Like calcium, iron will become even more important in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy. But making the right changes to your diet as soon as you know you are pregnant will make it easier to get all of the iron you need for yourself and baby as well.

These two minerals are the most essential to your baby, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the minerals in your prenatal supplements aren’t important. You need a complete and balanced diet, along with the help of a supplement, to make sure you are getting everything you need.

Nutrition: The Role of Fat

Nutrition: The Role of Fat

July 19th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There is no question that fat is the most maligned of the macronutrients. Most of us try to avoid fat, and we have been led to believe that it is responsible for all of our health and weight woes.

The truth is, fat is a necessary component of a healthy diet. As an important part of our cells, it plays a role in protecting our bodies, and can also improve heart health and keep our cholesterol levels in check. However, these tasks all require that we ingest the right kinds of fat, and in the right amounts.

What are the Types of Fat?

There are several types of fat, and some are good for the body while others can be severely detrimental.

The healthy, or unsaturated, fats are divided into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. These fats are good for your heart, reduce inflammation and also help to regulate cholesterol levels. They are found in foods such as nuts, especially almonds, hazelnuts and pecans, fish, oils such as olive, peanut, and canola, and avocadoes.

The fats that fall into the unhealthy category are known as saturated fats. These appear in red meat, whole-milk dairy products, and vegetable oil. Because our bodies already produce all the saturated fat they need, it really isn’t a necessary component of our diet. Saturated fats can do damage to the cardiovascular system, and intake should be limited.

Recently, there has been a great deal of concern raised regarding trans fats, or trans fatty acids. Found in hydrogenated oils such as margarine and many of the frying oils used in fast food restaurants, trans fats are extremely bad for the heart. They raise the bad cholesterol levels in the bloodstream and increase the risk of heart disease. Trans fats should be eliminated from the diet altogether if possible.

How Much Fat is Needed?

Depending on age, fat should make up anywhere from 20-35% of your diet. Almost all of this should be of the healthy, unsaturated type. The exception to this is children under two, who have different nutritional needs from adults. Fat is important in brain and eye development for babies and infants, and a low-fat diet can be detrimental to this. Unless there is a history of heart disease in the family, children under two should have full-fat versions of foods such as dairy products.

Although low-fat diets have been popular for many years, new research indicates that there is little evidence to support their effectiveness. Since low-fat and fat-free version of products appeared on the shelves of American grocery stores, there has been almost no change in the level of obesity or cardiovascular disease in the American people. Studies have shown that the type of fat, and not the amount, determines the risk for heart disease. While two people may both consume the proper percentage of fat, the one who eats more saturated fat will be at a higher risk of heart disease.

The key to ensuring you are getting the right kind of fat and avoiding the wrong one is to read nutrition labels. These labels will tell you how many grams of fat the food contains per serving, as well as whether the fat is saturated or unsaturated. This is your best tool for controlling your fat intake.

By ensuring your diet contains the right amount of unsaturated fats, you can help to maintain heart health as well as keep your weight under control.

Fiber and Your Pregnancy Diet

Fiber and Your Pregnancy Diet

July 18th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Fiber is an important part of a healthy pregnancy diet. In addition to keeping your digestive system moving smoothly, new research shows that fiber may also play a role in preventing gestational diabetes. Fiber is also important for energy that lasts, and keeping you full to prevent mindless snacking.

Fiber and Constipation

One of the most common complaints of pregnant women is constipation. Many factors during pregnancy can lead to problems with constipation, but lack of fiber in the diet is a major one. Increasing your fiber intake, along with drinking plenty of fluids can help alleviate constipation.

Fiber and Gestational Diabetes

Occurring only during pregnancy, gestational diabetes affects about 5% of pregnant women. A 2006 study indicated that women with a higher intake of fiber have a lower chance of gestational diabetes. For every 10 grams of fiber increase the odds of gestational diabetes dropped by 26%. Although more research is needed on the role of fiber in gestational diabetes, it’s another good argument for increased fiber in your pregnancy diet.

Fiber for Sustained Energy

High fiber foods take longer to break down in your system. They will keep you full longer, and provide sustained energy rather than a quick peak of energy that is soon gone. This is especially important during pregnancy when you may be feeling tired and run down already. Sustaining your body with high fiber foods will help to keep you going.

How to Get Enough Fiber

For every 1000 calories in your diet, you should aim to consume 14 grams of fiber. During pregnancy, the average woman should get 25-30 grams of fiber every day. Fortunately, with a balanced diet and a few changes you can up your fiber intake easily.

Many fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber, including apples, pears, prunes and leafy greens including collard greens, spinach and kale. You can also increase your fiber intake by switching to whole grains in your bread and pasta, as well as choosing brown rice over white. Beans are also a great source of fiber. When choosing bread, look for a loaf that provides at least 4 grams of fiber per serving – two slices of toast will give you 8 grams of fiber. Look for whole grain cereals as well to provide more fiber.

There are many products on the shelves today that offer added fiber, but use caution as some of them also have added sugar and other things you don’t need in your diet. Look to get the fiber you need from more natural sources – these foods will provide you with many of the vitamins and minerals you need at the same time.

If you are concerned that you are not getting enough fiber in your diet, or you are still suffering from constipation, talk to your doctor. You might need a fiber supplement, or other changes to your diet or supplements you are taking to help reduce constipation. Eating enough fiber is important even if you haven’t had any problems with constipation, as it will also act as a preventative measure. There is no reason to wait until the problem starts to make the appropriate changes in your diet!

Many people don’t get enough fiber in their diet, but during pregnancy it is especially important to make sure you make the right food choices. With a number of benefits for both you and baby, fiber is a must have for proper prenatal nutrition.

Folic Acid: What it is, and Why it’s Important

Folic Acid: What it is, and Why it’s Important

July 16th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

In recent years, folic acid has been the center of much focus due to the research showing its incredible importance for pregnant women. While everyone needs folic acid for a healthy diet, much of the research studying its effects has centered on the prevention of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Getting enough folic acid both prior to and during your pregnancy is an absolute must to protect your baby against serious birth defects as well as other problems.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is actually the synthetic version of a naturally occurring B-vitamin called folate. Thus when it is found in a natural food such as spinach, it is called folate. When it appears as an ingredient in a multivitamin supplement or is added to a food to fortify it, it is called folic acid. The function is the same no matter which form it takes. Folic acid is essential to the production of new cells in the body.

Why is folic acid important to pregnancy?

Recent research has shown that getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day prior to pregnancy, and 600 micrograms during pregnancy, can reduce the occurrence of serious birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly by 50-70%. While this is the most common benefit discussed in connection with folate, it’s not the only one suggested by the research.

Folic acid is also linked with a lower risk of cleft lip and palate, preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia in the mother. All of this information has led medical practitioners to recommend a daily supplement of folic acid to all women who are of childbearing age, and especially to those trying to conceive or already pregnant.

Why should it be taken before pregnancy?

The effects of folic acid on preventing birth defects are the strongest when the mother already has the required levels of the vitamin in her system prior to becoming pregnant. Also, many birth defects including those of the spine and brain as well as cleft lip and palate occur very early in pregnancy, often before the mother is even aware she is pregnant. If you wait until your pregnancy is confirmed to start taking folic acid supplements, it could be too late.

Still, even if you have not started taking extra folic acid before discovering your pregnancy, you haven’t lost your chance to reap other benefits from the vitamin. Begin taking a supplement the minute you find out you are pregnant, and you can still avoid problems like premature birth and low birth weight, among others.

Where can I get it?

Most multivitamin supplements for women contain the required amount of folic acid. You should make sure yours has at least 400 micrograms per dose. It’s also a good idea to make sure you add foods containing folic acid to your diet, such as citrus fruits and leafy greens. Try orange juice, spinach and broccoli, as well as foods that have been fortified with folic acid such as cereals and breads. As the popularity of folic acid spreads, more products with the vitamin added are appearing.

Although folic acid has only recently begun making headlines for its importance in pregnancy, it has always been an essential part of a balanced diet. Making it a part of your healthy eating plan will ensure you are healthy as well as ready should a pregnancy occur.

Excess Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Excess Weight Gain During Pregnancy

July 15th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Many of us believe that during pregnancy, we are eating for two. This isn’t entirely accurate. While after the first trimester a pregnant woman does require more calories, remember that the second person of the “two” in that statement is quite small.

Some women take pregnancy as an opportunity to eat as much as they would like, whenever they would like, and this is bad for both mom and baby. Not only will you have more difficulty losing the baby weight afterwards, excess weight gain puts a strain on your heart as well as your back.

How Much Weight Is Too Much?

For a woman who was of an average, healthy weight for her height prior to pregnancy, the recommended weight gain is 25-35 lbs. An underweight woman should gain a little more, while overweight women should gain a little less. This should of course be adjusted for women carrying multiples, who will naturally gain more weight due to supporting more than one baby. Weight gain during pregnancy is absolutely normal, but gaining more than the recommended amount is not.

How to Prevent Excess Weight Gain

The number one key to healthy weight gain during pregnancy is a carefully monitored diet. Make sure that you are not taking in more calories than you need to. Focus your intake on nutrient rich foods and not empty calories that will leave you hungry and lead to weight gain.

Weight loss diets are never a good idea during pregnancy. Your baby needs you to take in the appropriate number of calories comprising all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. However, making healthy changes to your diet is acceptable, as long as it does not cause weight loss or prevent you from gaining the right amount of weight.

The Discomfort of Weight Gain

If you eat right and keep your diet healthy and balanced, you should not have any difficulty with gaining too much weight. However, even the normal amount of weight can be very uncomfortable to a body that is not used to the strain.

Carrying around all that extra weight, especially in the midsection, can make many women uncomfortable. It is hard on the back and the joints and may also make sleep difficult. This level of weight gain, however, should not usually happen until the last months of pregnancy. If you are having trouble with pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor. You may need physical therapy or take your maternity leave early in order to rest.

Wearing comfortable shoes and clothing, and sleeping with a special maternity pillow can help to ease some of the discomfort caused by weight gain. If nothing else, you can at least take heart in knowing that you are nearing the end of the pregnancy and will soon be able to shed those extra pounds.

If you are having trouble with large amounts of food due to the pressure of the baby on your stomach, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. This can reduce the difficulties of trying to fit enough food into an already crowded abdomen, especially towards the end of your pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes

Around the end of the second trimester, most pregnant women will be tested for gestational diabetes. This temporary form of diabetes can cause extra weight gain in both the mother and the baby. If you suspect you have gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor. You will need to be put on a special diet to control the condition.

Work with your doctor to ensure healthy weight gain from a nutritionally sound eating plan, and find ways to relieve the discomfort of your growing belly. Soon, it will be in the past!

Seafood Safety During Pregnancy

Seafood Safety During Pregnancy

July 14th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Seafood can be part of a healthy pregnancy diet, as long as you are careful about what type of seafood you consume. Certain types of fish, as well as undercooked or raw seafood may pose a risk to your baby, so use caution when selecting seafood options for your pregnancy diet.

Mercury in Fish

Fish is a very healthful food and provides pregnant women with the very important and hard to get Omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to baby’s eye and brain development among other benefits. Certain fish, however, contain dangerous levels of mercury, and should be eaten in small amounts or avoided altogether, as mercury can be damaging to an unborn baby’s nervous system.

Fish absorb mercury from their food, and the longer a fish lives, the more mercury it will accumulate. Therefore, fish with longer life spans will have a much higher mercury level than those who don’t live as long. Larger, predator fish that feed on small fish will absorb more mercury from their diet as well, causing their mercury levels to rise even more.

Fish that contain dangerously high levels of mercury are swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish. Pregnant women should avoid these fish entirely. The fish that are lowest in mercury are salmon, canned white tuna, shrimp and pollock. Albacore tuna is higher in mercury than the standard white tuna found in a can, and tuna steaks should be consumed only rarely. Pregnant women should consider avoiding tuna steaks altogether to be on the safe side. Other fish to be cautious with include halibut, bass, snapper and mackerel. If you aren’t sure about a fish, check with the FDA prior to eating it.

The safe amount of fish recommended by the FDA for pregnant women is about 12 ounces per week. Try to ensure that most, if not all of your fish consumption is from those listed as being lowest in mercury. Use caution when consuming fish caught in local waters by friends and family, as it may be difficult to tell what the mercury level is.

Undercooked or Raw Fish

Many people enjoy sushi, but unfortunately it isn’t safe to consume during pregnancy. Some types of sushi, such as California rolls, do not contain raw fish and are safe to eat, but all raw fish should be removed from the diet entirely. Raw fish can contain bacteria such as salmonella and parasites that are very harmful to the baby.

Undercooked shellfish such as clams and oysters are the number one cause of seafood-related illnesses, so be especially cautious when consuming these foods. Be absolutely certain that they are fully cooked to at least 140 degrees before you eat. If you can’t be sure of proper cooking, it’s best to avoid these foods altogether.

While all of the information surrounding fish consumption can be confusing and a bit frightening, keep in mind that fish provide a great deal of wonderful nutrition to you and your baby as well. Fish are low in the bad fats and full of the good fats that support your baby’s development. They also provide a number of essential vitamins and minerals. Enjoy your fish, but follow the FDA guidelines to be safe. Aim for two servings of low-mercury, fully cooked fish every week to get the benefits and avoid the risks.

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