What fish to eat, what to avoid if you’re pregnant

The Associated Press

The government is advising pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who may become pregnant and young children to eat more fish, since many types of low-mercury seafood are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids important for brain development. But it also says to avoid those high in mercury, a neurotoxin that can be found in streams and oceans.

What fish to eat and what to avoid if you’re pregnant:

EAT

The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency say many of the most commonly-eaten fish are lower in mercury, including salmon, shrimp, pollock, tilapia, catfish, cod, flatfish, haddock and canned light tuna.

AVOID

The government says pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico because of the mercury content. Officials advised limiting white albacore tuna to six ounces a week.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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