Many of us would like to include seafood in our meals for its nutritional content and health benefits. Did you know that the omega-3 fatty acids and protein content of seafood aid the development of a baby’s eye and brain?

Not all food is recommended at all times. If you are pregnant, there are chances for you to feel like having fresh seafood. However, there is certain seafood you must include and avoid in your diet for your and your little one’s benefit.

Eating fish is known to help babies and pregnant women in multiple ways, such as:

• Aiding the growth of the foetus
• Improving the brain power of babies
• Improving your memory and mood
• Bringing down the risk of cardiac diseases, etc

However, if you or any of your relatives are pregnant, it is recommended that you avoid certain types of seafood like huge, ocean-friendly, predator-type fishes.

In the following sections, we shall look at a few seafood you should include and avoid in your diet during pregnancy.

Seafood to Consume During Pregnancy

Given below are some seafood you can consume while you are pregnant.

• Catfish
• Anchovies
• Herring
• Pacific Oysters
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Pacific Mackarel
• Freshwater Trout

The above seafood is recommended during pregnancy because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and is low in mercury.

However, this does indicate you should only have the above seafood during pregnancy. There are certain fishes pregnant women can consume in limited quantities too. If you feel like having fresh seafood during pregnancy, you can also try having any of the below seafood.

• Bluefish
• Chilean sea bass
• Buffalofish
• Grouper
• Carp
• Monkfish
• Halibut
• Mahi-mahi

Seafood to Avoid During Pregnancy

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pregnant women should never consume seafood like those mentioned below:

• King Mackerel
• Marlin
• Orange Roughy
• Swordfish
• Shark
• Bigeye Tuna
• Tilefish

Mercury comes into the environment via natural sources and industrial pollution. Though most fish contain methyl mercury, consuming large fish like the shark that eats other fish regularly can be extremely dangerous for humans, particularly babies. Regular consumption of these fishes containing mercury can cause it to accumulate in our bloodstream, damaging our baby’s brain and nervous system.

Few Tips for Preparing Seafood for Pregnant Women

• If you have been thinking of ways to prepare fish for pregnant women, the following tips can help you.
• Consider refrigerating the seafood if you wish to buy fresh seafood. Storing the seafood in a fridge using a sealed container can help keep it in good condition.
• Cook all types of seafood till the flesh turns opaque.
• Refrain from reusing marinades.

Take Good Care Of Your Body During The Pregnancy Period By Buying Your Much-needed Seafood Online from Quoodo

At Quoodo, we always find happiness in being part of your lives by helping you purchase good quality food online without stepping out. As a pregnant woman, you are sure to have cravings at any time of the day or night. But if you wish to buy seafood online, you can download our app or ask your spouse to do it and order your favourite seafood online from the largest emerging supermarket in UAE. Catfish is one seafood pregnant women can buy from our store to enjoy a healthy meal containing proteins, selenium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, omega-6 fatty acids, etc. So whenever you like buying fresh seafood online, visit our website or app.