During pregnancy, eating the right diet and avoiding any potentially dangerous foods is essential. One group of foods that medical professionals advise women to avoid during their pregnancy is some types of fish and seafood. While some are safe to eat, and others are risky, it can confuse pregnant women. To help you understand the advice better, here is an overview of the different fish and seafood to avoid and the reasons that they pose a risk to women during pregnancy.
Seafood and Pregnancy- Avoid Undercooked fish
It is best to avoid a visit to your local sushi bar during your pregnancy. Raw and undercooked fish and seafood are a risk during pregnancy. It is possible it has become contaminated with toxoplasmosis, salmonella and coliform bacteria. These are all potentially dangerous to both you and your unborn baby.
Do Not Eat Fish Containing Mercury
There are many types of fish that contain high levels of mercury, and these are something you should avoid. Fish that fall into this risk category include fresh tuna, shark, swordfish and mackerel. According to American Pregnancy, tuna in a can is okay to eat in moderation as it contains less mercury than fresh tuna. The reason you should avoid these food items is that there are links between mercury and brain damage, which may cause developmental delays.
Avoid Raw shellfish
Shellfish includes foods such as clams, mussels and oysters. Traditionally, people eat many of these seafood raw. However, medical professionals advise pregnant women to avoid eating these items because of the risks associated with eating raw shellfish. Although cooking can reduce the chances of some of the infections and bacteria that shellfish carry, it does not reduce the risk of some algae-related infections.
Seafood and Pregnancy- Avoid Smoked Seafood
Often, fish is smoked to enhance the flavour of the fish, and this is a popular way to serve fish. The risk that this poses for the pregnant woman is that it increases the likelihood of the fish carrying a bacteria called listeria that may cause serious illness. However, it is safe to eat smoked seafood that has been re-cooked as part of an ingredient of another dish, such as fish pie. It is also safe to eat canned smoked seafood.
Seafood and Pregnancy- The Final Verdict
Suppose you are still unsure about which foods it is safe for you to eat during your pregnancy. In that case, it is wise to speak to your midwife or an appropriate health professional as they will be able to advise you fully on the foods that pose a risk to yourself and your baby and are best to avoid during pregnancy.