Are you avoiding fish in pregnancy because of concerns about mercury or confusing advice" It?s time to cast a second look at seafood?especially since it contains omega-3 fatty acids including DHA known to help your baby?s brain development. In fact, federal health experts say pregnant women and children need to eat more fish?not less!
Seafood is brain food
A 2014 report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that babies born to women who eat more seafood during pregnancy tend to have higher IQs?potentially 3.3 points higher?than those born to women who ate no fish.
Brain-boosting DHA is found in high amounts in oily fish like salmon, herring and sardines. That?s why the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that pregnant women regularly eat at least some fish that are high in DHA. How much fish should I eat during pregnancy and breastfeeding"
Women and children should eat 8-12 ounces of lower-mercury fish a week, according to new FDA guidelines. That?s several 4-ounce servings a week. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also given women the thumbs-up to eat 12 ounces of lower-mercury fish while pregnant.
Many pregnant women eat less than 2 ounces of fish per week. If 12 ounces sounds like a lot, increase your fish intake over time and eat the most you can. Every little bit helps, says Philip Spiller, former director of the seafood program in the FDA?s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. ?Eating 8-12 ounces weekly will help you get...