2 Types of Mackerel You Can Eat While Pregnant and Which to Avoid

When you grill a piece of fish for dinner, you’ll benefit from a good source of vitamins, healthy fats and important protein. And, if you’re pregnant or nursing, that fish contains nutrition essential for the growth and development of your baby’s brain and nervous system.

But you need to pay attention to the particular kind of fish you are eating. Eating the wrong type of mackerel in pregnancy could cause harm to yourself and your child because of the potential of mercury poisoning.

Tips

Yes, you can eat mackerel during pregnancy, but only certain types. For you and your baby's health, you can safely consume up to three servings of Atlantic or Pacific mackerel a week.

What Is Mackerel?

Mackerel, from the Scombridae family of fish, is found in both temperate and tropical seas. Mackerel has a strong, rich flavor and is popular in Japan, where it is used for sushi.

Among the most common types of mackerel, the Spanish mackerel is a tasty fish that is caught off the south coast of Florida. The Pacific mackerel is an abundant sport fish from the coast of California. Atlantic mackerel is the smallest and the healthiest fish for consumption and can be found from Labrador to North Carolina.

King mackerel, or kingfish, prefer the warm water of the Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Kingfish is the largest type, with an average weight of 10 pounds, and should be avoided due to contamination concerns.

How Much Should I Eat?

Mackerel Fish for Healthy Eating

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The Food and Drug Administration recognizes fish as beneficial to the health of pregnant women and young children. But it advises following the guidelines in accordance with consuming only certain species, due to the risk of mercury content in fish.

For women of childbearing age (16 to 49 years old), especially pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, the recommendation is to eat two to three servings of fish each week from the “best choices” list. Pacific mackerel and Atlantic mackerel are on this list as fish that are safe to eat. Children over 2 years of age can also eat one to two servings of fish from this list per week.

A serving of fish is the amount that fits in the palm of your hand — about 3.5 to 4 ounces for adults and about 2 ounces for children 4 to 7 years of age.

The FDA “good choices” list, which limits the recommendation to one serving a week, includes Spanish mackerel. _King m_ackerel is reported as “choices to avoid,” due to the highest level of mercury that it may contain. The FDA advises women who may become pregnant, who are pregnant or nursing should not eat king mackerel.

Swim Away From King Mackerel

Mercury not only occurs naturally in the environment, industrial pollution can be a contributing factor. Mercury accumulates in streams and oceans and is turned into methylmercury in the water. Fish absorb the methylmercury as they feed and it builds up in their flesh. Species of large predator fish that are closest to the top of the food chain, such as king mackerel, have the highest level of mercury.

Although eating most mackerel fish can be a healthy addition to your diet, avoid king mackerel. King mackerel contains high levels of the toxic mercury. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that about 75,000 babies are born every year with an increased risk of learning disabilities because of mercury exposure from their mothers.

Read more: Which Fish Contains the Least Amount of Mercury?

Negative Health Effects of Mercury

Mackerel Fish for Healthy Eating

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  • Problems with peripheral vision
  • Impaired sensation, especially on the hands, feet and mouth
  • Difficulty with coordination and walking
  • Impeded speech and hearing
  • Reduction in muscle strength
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Nutrition of Atlantic Mackerel in Pregnancy

If you stick to Atlantic mackerel, you will benefit from a good protein source in addition to a wealth of micronutrients and omega-3s with a safe mercury level. Atlantic mackerel is rich in niacin, phosphorus, vitamin B12 and selenium. These nutrients are essential, particularly for pregnant mothers, as they contribute to healthy fetal, infant and childhood development.

A review published in Nutrients in 2015 says the benefits of eating moderate amounts of fish during pregnancy outweigh any potential harmful effects to the neurodevelopment of infants. But the report emphasizes the importance of the type of fish consumed being low in mercury.

Go Fish For Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for not only the health of the mother but for the early neurological and visual development of the baby, according to American Pregnancy Association.

Two key omega-3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA, which work in unison. EPA maintains heart health, inflammatory response and the immune system, while DHA is important for the brain, eyes and nervous system. Omega-3s may also prevent preterm labor and delivery, lower the risk of preeclampsia and increase birth weight.

All types of mackerel are fatty fish, which makes them a superior source of healthful polyunsaturated fats known as long-chain omega-3s. Just 3 ounces, or 85 grams, of cooked Atlantic mackerel contains 1,209 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Preterm birth is a major cause of disability or death in the first 5 years of life. Because omega-3 in fish has been associated with longer pregnancies, a 2018 review analysed the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids as a dietary benefit in relation to healthy outcomes for babies and mothers. Researchers found the women who received omega-3 had a lower rate of preterm birth, longer length of pregnancy, reduced risk of low birthweight and a possible reduced risk of perinatal death.

Importance of Vitamin B12

Atlantic mackerel is exceptionally high in vitamin B12, supplying 16.2 micrograms or 269 percent of your daily value. A study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2017, showed evidence that a deficiency in vitamin B12 during pregnancy is also associated with increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

If pregnant women or breastfeeding moms don’t get enough vitamin B12 in their diet, their babies may suffer from a deficiency. NIH warns that infants with a B12 deficiency may fail to thrive, have problems with movement and experience delays in typical developmental milestones.

Read more: Symptoms of Low B12

Riboflavin for Baby's Development

Atlantic mackerel contains 21 percent of the DV for riboflavin in a 3-ounce serving. Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is an essential vitamin that helps your body produce energy which will be needed for delivering your baby. Riboflavin promotes your baby's bone, muscle and nerve development as well as giving your baby the benefit of good vision and healthy skin.

Some evidence suggests that women who don't get enough riboflavin may be at greater risk for preeclampsia, according to NIH.

Phosphorus for Strong Bones

In addition to building strong bones in you and your developing baby, phosphorus aids in muscle contractions, blood clotting, proper kidney function and nerve conduction. In addition, phosphorus helps maintain and repair tissue and cells. Atlantic mackerel is an excellent source of phosphorus, supplying 236 milligrams or 24 percent of the daily value.

Selenium to Reduce Birth Complications

A mini-review from the Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences in 2016 reports that a deficiency of selenium during pregnancy can lead to complications, including spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia and low birth weight. Atlantic mackerel is a good source of selenium and a 3-ounce piece of fish provides 44 micrograms, or 63 percent of your recommended daily intake.

Read more: List of Healthy Foods to Eat While Pregnant

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