Pregnant Women Should Eat More Fish for Smarter, Healthier Babies

We already know that fish is good for adults as it can improve heart health. Did you know that fish consumption during and after pregnancy is also recommended? The oil from fish turns out to be brain food for your child!

Scientists studied over 12,000 pregnant women, as reported in the Harvard School of Public Health, and what did they find?

• Children born to mothers who ate less than two servings of fish a week performed more poorly on tests of intelligence, behavior, and other developmental milestones.
• Children of mothers who did eat fish at least twice a week showed better visual recognition.
• Children of breast-feeding mothers who eat regularly ate fish had similar benefits.

Some people are concerned that increasing their intake of fish may harm their health due to contaminants such as mercury of PCBs. But research by the Environmental Protection agency shows that the calculated health benefits for healthier development and healthier hearts far outweighs the infinitesimal danger from mercury or PCBs.

“The healthiest approach for women who are or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children is to eat two servings per week of fish or other seafood, including up to one serving per week of white (albacore) canned tuna, and avoid the four fish species higher in mercury (shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel),” notes the Harvard report, quoting the Environmental Protection Agency.

So if you are in this category, remember to avoid those four species and enjoy the benefits of fresh seafood the rest of the time! If you are considering local freshwater fish, check with experts first. [Note: If you are not in this category, the restriction does not apply—and all the evidence supports regular consumption of a variety of fish and seafood.] One of the easiest ways of assuring really fresh fish is through a quality online seafood delivery service. When you are a busy mother or mother-to-be, this can be a great time-saver.

Also, nutritionists recommend that when cooking fish, consider baking or grilling instead of frying. Perk up the taste with herbs, lemon juice, and even fruit salsas rather than high-fat, high-sodium sauces. If now and then you decide to fry some fish, say a great fresh halibut, use an olive oil spray for additional health benefits.

As parents, offering fresh seafood twice a week benefits you as well as your children. Continue this family habit as your children grow, cooking fresh fish and serving it attractively. What a wonderful way to offer your children a legacy of taste and health.