Verified by Kimberly Langdon M.D.
Kimberly Langdon is an obstetrician/gynecologist with 19 years of clinical experience and graduated from The Ohio State University, College of Medicine.
Seafood is a necessary part of a pregnant woman’s healthy diet. However, fish particularly can be a source of mercury contamination. This is why it’s essential to consider the kind of fish to eat and how often to consume them while pregnant. In this article, we will discuss if you can eat Haddock when pregnant.
Can you eat Haddock when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat Haddock during pregnancy. Haddock is a lean white fish low in mercury. It is an excellent source of protein and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid essential for brain and eye development and the baby’s nervous system.
The FDA’s dietary guideline recommends 2 to 3 servings or 8 to 12 ounces per week for pregnant women, including Haddock. Haddock falls under the “Best Choices” on the list of fish that is low in mercury, so there is no need to be concerned about mercury exposure. You can also try up to 6 ounces of light canned tuna or up to 3 ounces of albacore tuna per week for variety.
On the other hand, women should avoid sharks, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish during pregnancy because they contain high levels of mercury.
While you enjoy your Haddock, make sure to cook it thoroughly. Foodborne illness is more likely to affect pregnant women, so it is essential to cook fish until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to kill harmful bacteria.
If you are concerned about eating fish during pregnancy, please talk to your healthcare provider. They will be able to advise you on the best and safest choices for you and your baby.
Is Haddock high in mercury?
No, Haddock is not high in mercury. Larger and longer-lived fish accumulate more mercury due to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Haddock is a small to medium-sized fish with a relatively short life span, so it does not have time to bioaccumulate high levels of mercury.
What fish can I eat while pregnant?
Among the list of “Best Choices” for low-mercury fish, you can find the following:
- anchovy
- butterfish
- catfish
- cod
- flounder
- pollock
- salmon
- sardine
- tilapia
- trout, freshwater
- canned light tuna
- whitefish
You don’t have to worry about these because they are generally considered the best and safest choices for pregnant women.
What fish should be avoided during pregnancy?
As mentioned above, even though fish is a healthy part of a pregnant woman’s diet, some types of fish should be avoided due to their high levels of mercury. These include:
- bigeye tuna
- sharks
- swordfish
- king mackerel
- marlin
- tilefish
It would be best to do your research to know more about the harmful effects of mercury on pregnant women and their babies. This way, you will fully understand why you need to be careful about the fish you consume during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Pregnant women should carefully consider which fish to eat and how often, as some types of seafood can be a source of mercury contamination.
Haddock is a lean white fish low in mercury and provides protein and omega-3 fatty acids necessary for the baby’s development.
The FDA recommends between 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week for pregnant women, and they must be thoroughly cooked to kill harmful and unwanted bacteria.
If you have any concerns about eating fish during pregnancy, please talk to your healthcare provider.
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/media/102331/download
https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/solid/product-stewardship/mercury/fish
https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/safe-fish-for-pregnant-women/
