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Is Seafood Safe During Pregnancy?

Tips on Enjoying Fish, Shellfish, Shrimp and Other Seafood While Expecting

By Allison Gamble, Nutritionist

When choosing fish and shellfish at the grocery store, look for the Grade A label and for the U.S. Department of Interior shield. The shield means that the fish were packed under continuous inspection by the Department of the Interior. The characteristics to look for in fish are shiny, unfaded skin, red gills and clear eyes. A mild odor is OK. Frozen fish should be encased in airtight packaging and frozen solidly.

When you purchase fresh fish, refrigerate it immediately and cook it within the next 48 hours. Freeze the fish if you are not serving it within the next three days. Fish should stay good in the freezer for about three to six months, as long as you keep it frozen at a constant temperature.

Chemicals released into the oceans and fresh waters, however, are more difficult to avoid than preventable illness. Toxic chemicals found in some fish, such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PBBs (polybrominated biphenyls) and mercury, are the result of uncontrolled outflow from factories.

Low-fat fish are the best to eat, since chemicals are stored in fatty tissue. Cod, haddock and pollock are less than 2 percent oil, which may be why they are considered the safest. Fish most likely to be contaminated are catfish, bluefish, striped bass, tuna, shark and swordfish. They may have high levels of mercury and should be avoided before and during pregnancy. The way to protect yourself against chemicals is to ask how fresh the fish is and where it was caught. You can call your local health department to ask where the safest fish to eat are caught.

The way to protect yourself when you go out to eat at a seafood restaurant is to go to ones that are busy all the time. Generally, that indicates that they are going through their seafood more quickly, so it's not sitting around growing more and more bacteria. As a general rule, if the restaurant looks dirty in the dining room, it's probably worse in the kitchen area. So, choose your restaurants wisely. The same goes for your local grocery store. Try shopping at a grocery store that carries all organically grown produce and other naturally grown foods. They may be less likely to carry fish exposed to chemicals. In addition, avoid eating sushi with raw fish, and any other raw fish or shellfish while pregnant. They are more likely to be sources of parasites and bacteria.

Want to see more?

• Awesome Omegas: The Importance of DHA for Mom and Baby
• Dietary Cautions: 7 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
• Eating for Two Healthfully: Dietary Needs During Pregnancy
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!