Can You Eat Canned Tuna While Pregnant?
Fish are a good source of protein and other nutrients and an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. They are low in saturated fat, promote heart health and are part of a well-balanced diet. However, as a pregnant woman, you must reduce your exposure to chemicals that can harm your growing baby. Because tuna and other fish contain varying levels of mercury, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers specific recommendations for expectant mothers.
Tuna Guidelines for Expectant Mothers
The EPA recommends you limit your fish consumption to 12 ounces per week, which equates to two average meals containing 6 ounces each. Canned light tuna is low in mercury and is one of the best options if you are pregnant. Albacore is a white variety of tuna and comes from a bigger fish than light tuna. The larger the fish, the higher the mercury levels. The EPA confirms that albacore contains higher mercury levels than canned light tuna. If you choose albacore canned tuna, limit your consumption to 6 ounces weekly. Following these guidelines will help reduce your exposure to mercury.
- The EPA recommends you limit your fish consumption to 12 ounces per week, which equates to two average meals containing 6 ounces each.
- If you choose albacore canned tuna, limit your consumption to 6 ounces weekly.
Related Articles
References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
- Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, without salt, drained solids. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published April 1, 2019.
- Dhurmeea Z, Pethybridge H, Appadoo C, Bodin N. Lipid and fatty acid dynamics in mature female albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in the western Indian Ocean. PLOS ONE. 2018. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0194558
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia. National Health Service. Updated 2019.
- Sparkes C, Gibson R, Sinclair A, Else PL, Meyer BJ. Effect of low dose docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in pre-menopausal women: A dose⁻response randomized placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients. 2018;10(10). 10.3390/nu10101460
- Simonetto M, Infante M, Sacco RL, Rundek T, Della-Morte D. A novel anti-inflammatory role of omega-3 PUFAs in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Nutrients. 2019;11(10). doi:10.3390/nu11102279
- Damanti S, Azzolino D, Roncaglione C, Arosio B, Rossi P, Cesari M. Efficacy of nutritional interventions as stand-alone or synergistic treatments with exercise for the management of sarcopenia. Nutrients. 2019;11(9). doi:10.3390/nu11091991
- Diabetes superfoods. American Diabetes Association. Updated 2020.
- Histamine toxicity. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Updated 2020.
- ACOG practice advisory: Update on seafood consumption during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Updated 2017.
- Canned tuna. Seafood Health Facts: Making Smart Choices Balancing the Benefits and Risks of Seafood Consumption. Updated 2020.
- Selecting and serving fresh and frozen seafood safely. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Updated 2019.
Writer Bio
Janet Renee is a clinical dietitian with a special interest in weight management, sports dietetics, medical nutrition therapy and diet trends. She earned her Master of Science in nutrition from the University of Chicago and has contributed to health and wellness magazines, including Prevention, Self, Shape and Cooking Light.