Eating fish during pregnancy: Pros, cons, and the truth about mercury

As a pregnant mother, you probably think twice about everything you eat and drink now, right? Especially, family, friends, and even doctors probably advise you to eat fish because it is said to be very good for the brain development of the baby growing in the womb. At the same time, you probably also often hear stories like, "Don't eat fish at noon, it's poisonous ." Because of this, you may be thinking, "Oh my god, is it good for me to eat fish now? Or not?". What is the truth or not of this story? Let's talk about this simply and clearly.

What is mercury? Why is it dangerous?

Simply put, mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that is naturally found in the environment, as well as added to the environment by factories and power plants. This mercury ends up in the water of rivers, lakes, and oceans. Then this is what happens: small plants in the ocean absorb this mercury, those plants eat small fish, those small fish eat even bigger fish, and finally the biggest fish in the ocean eat them all. Because of this process, the bodies of the big fish at the top of the food chain accumulate high concentrations of mercury.

Now here's the problem. If you, as a pregnant mother, eat a fish with high levels of mercury, that mercury will pass through your bloodstream and through the placenta to your baby. The brain and nervous system of a growing baby are very sensitive. It's like building a very sophisticated computer system. This poison called mercury can damage the 'wiring' of that computer system. This puts the baby at risk of learning disabilities and other neurological problems in the future. This is the main thing we should all be afraid of.

So are all fish dangerous? Which fish are good and which fish are bad?

No, not at all. Not all fish are dangerous. In fact, many types of fish are very good for you and your baby. The problem is choosing the types of fish you eat based on the mercury content. Let's break this down for you to understand.

So what happens if you don't eat fish?

This is also a very important issue. If you stop eating fish completely because of mercury concerns, you and your baby will miss out on some very valuable nutrients.

Fish is a great source of protein, but there's something even more important in fish: Omega-3 fatty acids .These are essential for the healthy development of the baby's brain and eyes. Some studies have shown that mothers who do not eat enough fish during pregnancy have an increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight .

So, the solution is not to stop eating fish. It is to choose the right, safe types of fish and eat them in the right amounts.

So how do I do this exactly?

It's very simple. Here are the things you need to do.

1. Forget about dangerous fish: Don't even look at large fish like shark, king mackerel, and king mackerel. Stop eating these completely until the end of your pregnancy.

2. Eat in moderation: If you crave tuna, limit your intake to one small can per week. If you eat canned fish, choose a type labeled "light tuna" and limit yourself to one small can per week.

3. Eat without fear: Enjoy small fish like salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel, as well as seafood like shrimp and squid, at least twice a week. The nutrition you get from these is priceless for you and your baby.

4. When in doubt, ask: If you have any doubts about a certain type of fish or the amount you should eat, don't hesitate to ask your family doctor, that is, your doctor . He or she will give you the best advice based on your health condition.

Pregnancy is a beautiful time. Don't let the little things ruin your happiness by worrying unnecessarily. Being aware is the most important thing. Now you know which fish are good and which ones to limit. So make smart decisions, eat a tasty, nutritious diet, and happily prepare to bring a healthy baby into this world.