For many pregnant women, every meal is planned and every choice is scrutinized to determine if the meal will hurt their baby in any way. During pregnancy, there are some foods that you should avoid -- some of these foods are different types of seafood. In addition to seafood, you also need whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and other sources of lean protein.
Types
Some types of seafood are suitable for pregnant women, including shrimp, crawfish, lobster, crab, scallops, clams, whitefish, catfish, pollock, canned light tuna and cod. Other seafood offerings may be suitable as long as they haven't been exposed to industrial pollutants. Types of seafood that are unsuitable for pregnant women include king mackerel, swordfish, tilefish and shark, notes the American Pregnancy Association. Salmon is questionable during pregnancy, especially farm-raised salmon, because salmon is likely to have been exposed to industrial pollutants.
Amount
Generally, it is safe for a pregnant woman to eat 12 oz. of seafood per week, notes MayoClinic.com. Albacore tuna and tuna steaks are limited to 6 oz. These amounts are cumulative amounts, meaning that you can eat a total of 12 oz. of seafood -- even if the seafood is different types of seafood.
Considerations
All seafood consumed while you are pregnant should be cooked thoroughly. Pregnant women should avoid raw sushi, raw oysters and raw clams. Fish should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F to prevent food-borne illnesses, bacteria and other illnesses. Additionally, refrigerated smoked seafood, such as lox, isn't good for a pregnant woman for the same reason and also because it is difficult to know if proper food handling and storage methods were followed after smoking the seafood. Also, you should try to avoid eating larger fish or larger specimens of other types of seafood because the larger the specimen, the longer it has likely been exposed to toxins in the waters -- partially because larger fish eat smaller fish, which contain mercury, so the big fish absorbs the smaller fish's mercury.
Effects
By eating too much seafood or eating seafood that is high in mercury, you put your baby at risk of brain damage. You may also get listeria and other food-borne illnesses if you eat unsuitable types of seafood or if the seafood is improperly cooked or stored, even if the type of seafood is considered safe for pregnant women.
Warning
It is possible for a woman who is pregnant to have an allergic reaction to foods, including seafood, even if she hasn't ever had a reaction before. If you notice that your lips, mouth or tongue are swollen or tingling, you may be having an allergic reaction. Trouble breathing, hives and a rash are also signs of an allergic reaction. If you think you are having an allergic reaction to seafood, go to the emergency room immediately.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Food and Drug Administration: Food Safety for Moms-to-be
- MayoClinic.com: Pregnancy Nutrition: Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Baby Center: Is it Safe to Eat Fish and Other Seafood When I'm Pregnant?
- Cleveland Clinic: Shellfish Allergies
- Pregnancy Zone: Food Allergies During Pregnancy
