If you're pregnant or have ever been pregnant, then chances are, you've heard all about the kinds of foods you can't eat while growing a human. Not too much caffeine, no deli meat, no alcohol, and so on. However, eating fish while pregnant is great. Well, within reason. Because fish is high in mercury, "pregnant women should only eat low-mercury fish, such as salmon, sardines, and trout, and no more than 12 ounces (340 grams) per week," according to Healthline. And pregnant women should also only eat cooked fish, per the site.
That said, the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) found in fish are great for growing a healthy baby. According to a study published in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine (via National Institutes of Health), "the fetus and neonate should receive LC-PUFA in amounts sufficient to support optimal visual and cognitive development." But that's not all. The study also found that "the consumption of oils rich in n-3 LC-PUFA during pregnancy reduces the risk for early premature birth," noting, "Pregnant and lactating women should aim to achieve an average daily intake of at least 200 mg DHA."
Fish is awesome when you're pregnant — just don't eat more than 12 ounces each week.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEpaCsrF6YvK57kHBwcWhgZMSpsc1msKitXZqutXnFoqqhZZWrsrPFjJ2YsmWknba0ecisZLCgkal6qa3PqZynq12pvG7Fzq6pZpqfmcZw