Can Pregnant Women Eat Fish?

It’s something that many people worry about, and with good reason: Can pregnant women eat fish? You probably think that when you are pregnant you can eat whatever you want. You may consider that this is your time to “eat for two” and, so, you can enjoy whatever you want. To a certain extent, you do want to allow yourself a little treat here and there and enjoy eating, never dieting. You do need to be aware, though, that certain foods are off limits or should be eaten in limited amounts.

Let’s get to the heart of the issue now and determine: Can pregnant women eat fish in the first place? The answer is “yes and no” because different fish can present different pros and cons. If you consider a typical piece of white fish, trout, or even tilapia, then for the most part you are just fine in eating this. If, however, you look into fish such as tuna, mackerel, tilefish, swordfish, or even salmon, then the answer is mixed. The best thing to keep in mind with this question is that eating fish in moderation is always best.

There Are Two Different Answers to This Question

Can pregnant women eat fish? This question may lead you to a variety of different answers. The more mainstream fish may be just fine to eat on a weekly basis. Enjoying white fish or trout, for example, so long as they come from a reputable source and a clean body of water, may be fine. Eating something like tuna or salmon may be okay but in very moderate amounts. You want to ensure that you don’t eat too much mercury, and that’s a big concern with these types of fish. When in doubt, go for a different source of protein as the risks just aren’t worth it.

The question “Can pregnant women eat fish” leads to a mixed answer overall. If it’s an unusual type of fish, such as swordfish or tilefish, then play it safe and stay away if you’re not sure. Avoid sushi and raw fish, and try to avoid any that have high mercury counts. If you are to eat a fish like tuna or salmon, then do so on a very limited basis, like once per month. If in doubt, always talk to your doctor, but know that avoiding such fish on a regular basis may be a good idea to ensure the good health of your baby.