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Pregnant women told fish in diet is okay
Filed under: Your Pregnancy, Places To Go, Health & Safety: Babies, Nutrition: Health, Development/Milestones: Babies, Media
For several years, pregnant or breastfeeding women have been told to limit their intake of certain fish (shark, tile fish, king mackerel, swordfish and albacore tuna) because of the potential high mercury content might make the baby stupid. Many women (myself included) avoided ALL fish, just to be safe and to give future kids the chance to be on the honor roll.
However, a group of top scientists from private groups and federal agencies plans to make a public advisory statement today claiming the lack of omega-3 fatty acids (which fish is chock full of) is what makes babies stupid.
This isn't some sea-weed slurping fly-by-night group either, it includes the American Academy of Pediatrics, the March of Dimes, as well as federal agencies like the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It's always the best policy to discuss dietary question or concerns with your doctor before you make any changes, and this is no exception.
Special note to my children: You'll just have to study a little harder than the kids of fish-eaters. My bad!
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
10-04-2007 @ 11:07AM
Heather said...As someone with autism in their family, I was a little offended that you wrote "high mercury content might make the baby stupid." My understanding is that there may be a link between mercury exposure and autism, and that is why women should avoid certain fish. For what it is worth, autistic kids are far from stupid.
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10-04-2007 @ 11:24AM
Joy said...I guess I felt that having my kids was my biggest reward. I wouldn't/didn't take any chances. Let them do all the "tests" they want. I'll play it safe for those nine months.
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10-04-2007 @ 11:36AM
RobMonroe said...Heather - Angie is simply using the language from the study. This study is not linking anything to Autism. Recent studies have shown that brain development has been slowed by the mercury content.
I agree with Joy - if my household has to give up fish for nine months to be on the safe side, I think we will.
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10-04-2007 @ 12:02PM
mckenna said...Omega-3 is in foods other than fish (eg: olives, olive oil, and certain nuts). Smaller amounts, maybe, but still works for me.
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10-04-2007 @ 12:06PM
Me said...When I was pregnant with DS I craved fish all the time. Of course I wasn't going to eat it every day but I allowed myself to eat it once a week as long as it wasn't one of the forbidden ones. But I'm also the terrible mom who would drink a caffeinated beverage every once in a while, and ate hotdogs and lunchmeat. And my son is a perfectly happy, and very smart little boy who is well ahead of the curve for his age group. I must have done something right.
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10-04-2007 @ 12:20PM
Eva said...In some ways, though, the contamination-to-benefit ratio of fish is still quite high. We eat it some, and I ate it a ton actually when I was pregnant and breastfeeding, but mostly now we rely on Omega-3 eggs, avocado, nuts, and the like.
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10-04-2007 @ 5:10PM
Jen said...I think the importance of the Omega 3's should definately be emphasized. I craved canned tuna when I was pregnant with my first one. I think the fish cravings can mean that the mother needs more Omega 3's. If I knew then what I know now I would have been taking a pharamceutical grade fish oil, like this one: http://www.shaklee.net/good_health/product/20244 My older son has always been very bright, and in some ways ahead for his age. But he also is hyperactive, and has attention problems and sensory processing challenges. I didn't eat the tuna when I was pregnant the second time and my younger son, who was developmentally delayed the first 2 1/2 years, is now about age appropriate. He is 3 now, has a great attention span, and grasps a crayon beautifully.
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11-11-2007 @ 9:57PM
Elizabeth Moshinski said...Could have maybe used a different word besides stupid. That's a pretty harsh word???
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11-11-2007 @ 9:59PM
Elizabeth Moshinski said...Couldn't you have possibly used a better word than "stupid" in the message you wrote. I think that is a bit harsh of you to say that???
Reply