Is Canned Light Tuna Safe During Pregnancy

June 5 2006 recommendations published in the magazine consumer reports this week urge women to avoid eating any canned tuna while pregnant because of uncertainties about the risk of mercury.

Is canned light tuna safe during pregnancy.

Although pregnant women are advised to avoid eating a lot of fish that s high in mercury australian tuna and wild caught tuna from the waters around australia are generally considered to be low in mercury. Women of childbearing age pregnant and nursing women and children may. Safe catch invented new technology to become the only brand that tests every fish for its mercury level. The 2015 2020 dietary guidelines for americans recommends 8 to 12 ounces 224 to 336 grams two or three servings of seafood a week during pregnancy.

The amount of tuna considered safe during pregnancy varies by country. The epa confirms that albacore contains higher mercury levels than canned light tuna. Despite the previous concern regarding mercury levels in fish the fda now recommends that women who are pregnant breastfeeding or plan on becoming pregnant consume more fish fish contain vital nutrients including omega 3 fatty acids protein vitamins and minerals such as iron these nutrients are essential particularly for pregnant moms as they foster healthy fetal infant and childhood. It therefore typically contains only a third of the mercury of albacore tuna and is therefore the best choice of tuna while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dietitian and nutritionist yes it s safe to eat two or three serves of canned or fresh cooked tuna a week as part of a balanced diet. Food and drug administration and environmental protection agency recommend limiting intake of high mercury fish and seafood including tuna and other large predatory fish like shark swordfish tilefish and king mackerel to no more than six ounces a week and one can of tuna is typically five ounces samuels told huffpost. Albacore is a white variety of tuna and comes from a bigger fish than light tuna. The fda had released prior guidelines about safe fish intake but the latest recommendations finally address tuna.

The larger the fish the higher the mercury levels. Skipjack tuna sometimes sold as chunk light tuna is one of the smaller types of tuna and likes to jump and skip across the surface of the water. Canned light tuna is low in mercury and is one of the best options if you are pregnant. In the united states women are advised to eat no more than 12 ounces 340 grams of canned light tuna or less than 4 ounces.