That's Baby Brain Food

"During pregnancy, Omega-3 fatty acids in a mother s diet contribute to healthy, optimal development of her baby s eyes, brain and nervous system."

Now your mother and grandmother may tell you, Seafood is not safe for pregnant women as it contains too much mercury and PCBs . It is true that the FDA and EPA in the U.S. have each historically emphasized this point. The Food and Drug Administration advises pregnant women to limit their weekly seafood consumption to no more than 12 ounces, or about two servings, per week. Yet the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, a nonprofit group that focuses on childhood health issues, advises that pregnant women and nursing mothers should eat a minimum of 12 ounces of fish per week.

Not Your Mom's Seafood

More recent medical studies indicate the health rewards for pregnant moms who eat seafood outweighs the risks. Seafood especially fatty fish like sardines and Alaska Wild Salmon is abundantly rich in Omega- 3 fatty acids. Most important, the studies show that fatty acids found in seafood boost children s neurological developmental in many ways:

• As reported by the prestigious medical journal Lancet, pregnant and nursing women who followed the stringent US. Government guidelines or avoided fish entirely- hindered brain and visual development in their children.
• Mothers who ate more seafood than was considered safe according to US guidelines had children who were more advanced. They had higher IQs, better social skills, were more communicative and more physically accomplished.
• Women who ate fish regularly during pregnancy had kids with better language and communication skills by the age of 18 months.
• Omega-3 fats in fish reduce the risk of premature and underweight births, as well as the incidence of post-partum depression.

Bad Fishies, Good Fishies

"Salmon, Herring and Sardines are Good Choices for Moms-to-Be"

In choosing your foods during pregnancy, knowing your seafood is one area that will benefit you both health wise and in giving you the peace of mind to fully enjoy its taste.

One goal in healthy seafood eating during pregnancy is to know the bad fishies fish high in mercury) If you regularly eat fish high in mercury, the substance can accumulate in your bloodstream over time. In turn, too much mercury in your bloodstream may damage your baby's developing brain and nervous system.

High-mercury containing fish to avoid are:

King Mackerel, Shark, Swordfish, and Tilefish

Your second goal is to know the good fishes (fish high in Omega 3s, good for baby s brain growth.) The Journal of the American Medical Association has concluded that health benefits from Omega-3 are particularly associated with oily fish.

Most health sources now agree moms can eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) per week of wild caught fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.

Here are the safe choice fishes for Moms-To-Be to seek out:

First Choice
Wild salmon, herring, sardines (The fish are not only high in Omage-3s, but low in mercury.)

Second Choice
Shrimp, Canned light tuna, Pollock

Third Choice
White Albacore tuna (Good but due to mercury content, restrict to only 6 oz./week.)

More from the Experts:

What You Need to Know About Mercury in fish and Shellfish - FDA

Maternal fish consumption benefits children s development (The Lancet)

The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Omega-3 Antidepressant Diet and Brain Program (book by Andrew Stoll)

Maternal Fish Diet Boosts Baby s Language Learning.

Fish Diet brings a Brighter Baby.

Disclaimer: The nutritional suggestions and/or diets offered by The Healthy Chef Inc., and/or Healthy Chef Creations, and/or Home Meal Delivery or Catering Services are not offered or intended to treat, mitigate or cure any type of disease, sickness or weight problem, and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. Neither The Healthy Chef Inc., nor Healthy Chef Creations Home Meal Delivery or Catering Services can be held liable under any circumstances for any illness or health problem that may result from the consumption of its prepared foods or meals. Healthy Chef Creations foods and meals are designed to be part of a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with the services of a licensed healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before taking nutritional supplements or beginning any diet or exercise program. The information on this website is to be used for educational purposes only.