Why You Should Avoid Canned Tuna During Pregnancy

If you are expecting a child anytime soon, then you have probably been inundated with advice about how to behave and what to eat while you are pregnant. Most of the time, mothers will be told that they need to consume a certain amount of fish (usually tuna) in order for them and their babies to get enough of important things like omega-3 fatty acid and folic acid. As expected, the majority of mothers choose to get what they need from canned tuna during pregnancy. According to recent discoveries, that might not be such a good idea.

What Is Wrong with Canned Foods?

In order for our foods to be placed into tight aluminum or tin cans, shipped in trucks across the country, stacked on store shelves for long periods of time, and still be good when they finally reach your plate, they have to be made and injected with a lot of preservatives and other artificial ingredients. The exact effects of these types of ingredients, especially on babies, is still not completely clear. If you truly care about your health and the health of your unborn baby, then you would be wise to avoid canned tuna during pregnancy, even if only for that reason alone.

Healthy Alternatives for Canned Tuna

So, what do expectant mothers do then when they want to consume appropriate amounts of tuna? Well, obviously the healthiest decision would be to choose fresh options over all others. At times this is not always possible, so picking bagged versions of tuna might be your best bet. Check your local grocery store for choices and always keep in mind the importance of the label. Make sure you always opt for the tuna in water if at all possible, especially if you cannot avoid eating canned tuna during pregnancy.

Knowing When You Have Had Too Much

It might be difficult at times to tell whether or not eating canned tuna during pregnancy has any real effect on you or your unborn baby. However, most expectant and seasoned mothers will agree that it is always much better to be safe than sorry in these delicate situations. Although there is a good chance that neither you nor your baby will experience anything too serious from eating canned tuna, it is a good idea to check with your doctor or a certified nutritionist in the meantime just to be certain.