If you are pregnant and craving canned tuna, you may want to think twice before indulging. A new study published by Consumer Reports is urging pregnant women to stay away from tuna all together. So should you be worried?
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In previous studies, it was found that fresh tuna and albacore canned tuna contained too much mercury for pregnant women to consume. However, "light" canned tuna was considered fine for pregnant women to include in their diets due to the low amount of mercury content in the product. Now Consumer Reports is warning pregnant women about the consumption of all types of tuna due to the harmful and toxic effects it could have on the mother and fetus.
The potential risks of having high levels of mercury while pregnant include impeding your baby's brain development, damaging the nervous system, which affects coordination, and increasing the chances of learning disabilities. Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives for Consumers Union, which works closely with Consumer Reports explained:
We're particularly concerned about canned tuna, which is second only to shrimp as the most commonly eaten seafood in the United States. We encourage pregnant women to avoid all tuna.
However, the FDA warns that the study overestimates the dangers of canned "light" tuna. The government site believes that 6 ounces a week of "light" canned tuna is a healthy serving for women who are expecting. They also explain that this doesn't mean pregnant women should avoid eating fish all together due to its richness in vitamin D and healthy fatty acids. Top picks of fish with low mercury counts include: shrimp, salmon, cod and tilapia.
Our advice is to talk to your doctor about what diet works best for you.
Curious about what else may be bad for while expecting? Here are 14 things that pregnant women should avoid: –Additional reporting by Claudya Martinez (gallery)
Image via David Mulder/Flickr
Antibacterical soap
The American Chemical Society found that triclosan and triclocarban, ingredients commonly found in antibacterial soaps, can harm fetuses. What's super frustrating about this is that nowadays it seems nearly impossile to find soaps that are not antibacterial.
Queso fresco
It's not just queso fresco that you should stay away from during pregnancy, it's all unpasteurized dairy products because they can contain bacteria that can make your baby ill.
Hot dogs & deli meats
These foods can carry Listeria monocytogenes, a very dangerous bacteria for pregnant women that can lead to miscarriage or still birth.
Litter boxes
You've probably heard that pregnant women should avoid cat litter boxes, right? But why? It's because although rare, cats can carry toxoplasmosis, which can cause birth defects.
Big fish
Large fish tend to have a higher concentration of mercury in them and mercury is no bueno for a growing baby's nervous system or brain, so cuidado with the ceviche. Pregnant women can have a weekly 12 ounces of seafood that is considered low in mercury.
Plastics with BPA
BPA stands for Bisphenol A and it's all over the place. It's used in the manufacturing of some plastics, it's in the lining of a bunch of canned foods. In 2010, the FDA released a statement saying, "recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children."
Raw sprouts
I found this one really surprising when I was pregnant. Sprouts are dangerous to pregnant women because they can get bacteria in them that is pretty much impossible to get off even if you wash them. Crazy, right?
Tobacco smoke
Can we all just agree that smoking is poison, already? Obviously, do not smoke while pregnant, but also avoid all tobacco smoke in general while pregnant. Not only does that smoke get in the way of a baby's oxygen supply, it been linked to complications including preterm labor.
Booze
I'm assuming you knew this one already, but just in case: alcohol cosumption is not recommended for pregnant women. It can prevent normal fetal development and the results of being exposed to alchohol in the womb last forever.
Hair treatments
It is believed that most processes that your hair undergoes, like dying, curling, relaxing and such, are safe because very little of the chemicals are actually absorbed into your body or bloodstream, but since the research on the subject is still quite limited, many doctors recommend waiting until the second or third trimester to have your hair treated. A baby forms all its major organs in the first trimester, so why risk it?
Caffeine
Ahhh, as good as a cafecito is, too much caffeine while pregnant is not good and can lead to a host of problems including an increased rishk of miscarriage. It is recommended that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to what is found in 12 ounces of coffee. Keep in mind that there is caffeine in things like teas, energy drinks and sodas.
Herbal teas
You would think that if you are trying to stay away from caffeine while pregnant, then herbal teas are the way to go, but you need to be careful because there are no reliable studies on whether herbal mixtures are safe while you are pregnant. Sip with caution.
Saunas, jacuzzis & tanning beds
Pregnant women are more susceptible to heat. Overheating in pregnant women can cause neural defects in their babies. Oh and did you know that pregnant skin burns more easily? Another reason to stay away from tanning beds.
Unpasteurized juices
This makes sense. Pasteurization is meant to reduce the pathogens in food products. If you buy juice that is unpasteurized it is more prone to have germs. I'm sure you heard of instances where unpasteurized juices were found to have E.coli*.*
