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)
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