So I've been craving tuna but...

[JoyRenee]

... my doctor says TUNA of any kind (even light) is NOT considered safe anymore. The mercury levels in tuna are on the rise. I'm not the only person who has been told this so I'm assuming this is the most recent medical data.

I'm kind of sad. I've been really craving Tuna Noodle Casserole. I can't substitute with chicken; it's not the same and chicken makes me want to puke. I'll KNOW it is chicken and won't be able to eat it.

So pass this information along and don't eat tuna anymore if you're pregnant! I know it stinks, especially if you want it, but your baby's health is much more valuable than a tuna salad sandwich.
There's still plenty of seafood that is considered safe during pregnancy, too!

[martikadragoon]

Joy~ Oh ok! I didn't know that the levels were rising. Srry. :)  By all means trust your doctor since He/she knows best! :)  (You've gotta admit tho, sometimes doctors give very off advice. but it sounds like you've got a good one who likes to err on the cautious side which is always good)

[isthisnormal]

No one was arguing. There was no question asked. People were stating their own experiences and opinions. Really guys? You're going to make that big a deal about it?

[NicMom]

I think it's great to have information like this passed along. Just remember that each person, pregnancy, and baby is different from the next. I welcome advice, but that doesn't mean I'm going to listen to all of it. I think we each single in on things that we want to be cautious about. For example I'll eat Tuna once every two weeks, drink a glass of wine once a month, but won't touch blue cheese with a ten foot pole because I heard it can be dangerous for the baby. :-)

If Joy feels like tuna isn't a wise move for her baby then she should stay away from it. I'm not going to try and say anyone should do something out side their comfort zone just because my ob says something other than your ob.

Again Joy thanks for passing along the info!

[tiredbuthappy]

I'll ask my OB, and take his word for it when I see him next week. In the mean time, I try to go straight to the source when I receive information like this. I am currently searching the fda's site, but most published articles I am finding so far are 4 or 5 years old. Anyone have a more recent, credible source?

I am going to have to look at risk/benefit on this one, so I want to make an educated decision. I am still experiencing very strong meat aversions, so am struggling to find adequate sources of protein. Beans, soy, etc... are NOT an option for me these days. I am eating lots of eggs, but there's only so many eggs a person can eat in a week! I am only eating 1 tuna sandwich a week, and i don't like a fat sandwich, so there's no more than 1/2 can in each. I appreciate the info from all. I'm just looking for the most recent research that I myself can read :)

[debgunn23]

Ive been eating tuna for a while, everything is fine with the baby. I think i would be a little more cautious with fressh tuna rather than canned or packaged. But yes limit it to oncew a week or twice a month and im sure youll be fine. Even once a month to cure the craving :) You know, they say things like that about EVERYTHING there arfe SO many things we are suppose to stay away from, but i dont even care anymore i just make sure i eat somewhat healthy and cook my food properly,

[ziggysgrl0724]

I don't really think there was any arguing.  In joy's original post it could have been easy for someone to misunderstand and think she was asking for advice on eating tuna and not making a statement saying it shouldnt be eaten(not saying this in a negative way).

I also think however that people should be taking advice from their own Dr. and not relying on the info from others peoples Dr.s to make decisions.  Every one is different, and no one knows your specific case better then your own Dr.....if you Dr says that eating canned tuna is fine in moderation then I say you should(if you want to).  Usually I am one to stand up against people saying don't eat this or that in pregnancy, but I don't eat fish of any kind so I am don't really have an opinion on this particular food avoidance.

[worriedbabe]

i ate looooads shawndell...just don't eat it anymore now you know, that's what i'm gonna do

[Shawndell]

WOW! I'm scared now! I ate tuna like 3 or so weeks ago! =(

[worriedbabe]

joy has shared what is known as the latest information with you regarding tuna. yes, it's your own choice as to whether you eat it or not. But quit arguing...and you were. Like joy says her dr. researches this stuff all the time so obviously he knows what he's talking about. makes sense to me...what goes into our seas isn't getting any better. i've craved it and eaten it up unil now, but now i won't.

[pinkbelle]

there is not even enough real tuna in the canned tuna to worry about mercury.. now i know u can not eat an actual tuna steak.. but cousins boyfriend's dad is an ob and i asked him and he said tuna is a good protein and it is safe during pregnancy (in  moderation) he is not a redneck hillbilly doctor .. he went to harvard medical.. but to each their own and consult with your own ob about this or any concerns that you may have.   tuna was the only thing i could keep down in my first trimester.. i had to have it on toast with lettuce and lots of pickle relish and mayo... mhmmmm . i ate it every week for 5 weeks until my morning sickness had passed..  every week i would look forward to eating my tuna sandwich ( since i could only have two sandwiches a week) ..its making me hungry for one now.. mhmmm

[chantal21]

I have always been confused with tuna, maybe someone could help me out. Is it when you are pregnant, it's not safe to eat? So if I wasn't pregnant would I be able to have it twice a week and be okay?  I was just wondering. Thanks! =)

[AnitaRFrith]

I was just saying what I was told.  Not trying to argue... just comparing.  I have ate tuna my whole pregnancy.  ( No more than once a week though.)  And all my levels are normal.  I'm high risk so they check my blood often.  I think that its just a hypothesis... regardless who it comes from.  Anita

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Joy, I am not trying to argue with you.  I am not only speaking from a current book, but I am also speaking from experience of having 5 kids and eating tuna during those pregnancies, but again, I also said that you have to do what you feel comfortable with.  So, if you don't feel comfortable with eating tuna, then don't.  No one is trying to force your or argue w/ you.  We are only trying to offer our opinions(based on my doctor)/experience.

[Mumita]

Joy- I'm not saying that your doctor is not a good doctor at all.  I am a BIG skeptic and I question everything that anyone tells me, no offense to you.  However there are many doctors that will freak you out more than you need to (not that you doctor is one of those) so I take everything that they tell me of what I can and can't do with a grain of salt.  
Tuna is a big fish (huge actually) and the bigger the fish the higher levels of mercury so it makes perfect sense, however eating tuna once a month to at least satisfy your craving will not cause you or your baby any harm.  Same as drinking a cup or two of coffee every other day will not necesarilly cause any harm.

[nsrchofbaby]

Awe, tell me about it. I have gestational diabetes and chocolate is off limits :(

[JoyRenee]

Anita- I realize that was the current thought. The point is that even in the "light", canned tuna mercury levels are being found higher and higher when they are tested. Not trying to argue with anyone. Just getting frustrated that everyone is trying to tell me, "Eat it, it's okay" when it *might* not be alright.

Heck, all I have to say is at least chocolate isn't completely off limits... I might have to hurt someone if it was!

[AnitaRFrith]

I was told that I can have tuna once a week an its safe.  I was told to buy the tuna in the sealed pack.  I was told that by 2 dr's and my midwifes.  Anita

[JoyRenee]

No- this wasn't a question. It was a statement, one that I trust, since my doctor is on a major medical board that does consistent and constant research on things like this. He is the doctor that every woman wants as her OBGYN. Not to sound snooty- just trying to explain that I trust him and he's not some redneck hillbilly doctor hiding in the mountains. He specifically said all tuna is no longer considered safe, even in small amounts.

Mercury levels are rising in tuna and possibly other fish. I don't really eat seafood but I do line tuna noodle casserole.

[Mumita]

I don't trust my doctors much on what they say because most of the time they are covering themselves for any potential lawsuit.  If someting happens to your baby then he can easily say "You ate tuna when I told you not to"  funny but people do accuse doctors of anything that happens to your baby.

Anywho,  you can eat fish and light chunk tuna in moderation, meaning up to 3 times a week. Look it up in websites like webmd where they post the most recent medical articles and studies.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Joy,

My doc gave me a pregnancy book when I found out I was pregnant and it said the White Alacore Tuna is the one w/ the high mercury content and it is on the no no list, but the Light Tuna packed in Water was okay to have so much per week.  I've done it w/ all my pregnancies and never had any problems.  My doc has been my doc since I was 15 and delivered all 5 of my kids so I totally trust him, but of course, you will just have to do what you feel comfortable with.

[motherofan18month]

my doc. said tuna was okay once a month due to high levels of mercury! salmon is also okay since it has very low mercury levels and i have been craving salmon cakes like crazy lately!

[PJ466]

Mmmmm all this talk about tuna. Makes me wanna have it on a cracker or in a salad, perhaps I won't puke after eating that. But I'm the kind of person to always keep it safe so I'd rather stay away from tuna.  

[kirsty1989]

Hey Joy, well im not sure that not having any at all is right, as i saw my midwife on friday and she said you can have so much a week cant remember how much it was think its something like as much as you'd put on a sandwich twice a week :-)

Hope that helps you.

xxx

[martikadragoon]

Joy..... If I were you I'd ask another Dr. in the practice (i assume there's more than one that rotates)

Because some Dr.'s say that a small portion of fish is fine. Just remember, the smaller the fish the safer to eat.
This is from the AMERICANPREGNANCYASSOCIATION . COM
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We know that fish can be very nutritious and are packed with great nutrients such as omega-3’s, the B vitamins and lean protein. But unfortunately, fish can also have some unhealthy contaminants. Mercury is a contaminant found in fish that can affect brain development and the nervous system. The FDA has released guidelines for children, women who are pregnant and women who are trying to become pregnant. These guidelines state that no more than 12 oz of low mercury fish should be consumed weekly. "Highest" mercury fish should be avoided and "high" mercury fish should be kept to only three 6-oz servings per month.

Find a Nutritionist in your area

What does this mean for women who are pregnant but also trying to get some of their much needed nutrients from the critters of the sea? It is all about moderation. Recent information released in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine says that no one should cut fish out of their diet altogether. Fish contains too many healthy nutrients that are essential for growth and development, especially in a pregnant mom and baby. There are 4 types of fish that should be on the list to avoid due to mercury levels. These include: shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish.

For information regarding other types of fish, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has released a list of fish and their mercury levels so that people can be informed on what they are consuming. If you want to get more detailed information about mercury levels and how much you personally are consuming, you can also use the mercury thermometer to calculate your totals.

Highest Mercury
AVOID Eating

Grouper
Marlin
Orange roughy
Tilefish
Swordfish
Shark
Mackerel (king)

High Mercury
Eat no more than three 6-oz servings per month

Bass saltwater
Croaker
Halibut
Tuna (canned, white albacore) See tuna chart below
Tuna (fresh bluefin, ahi)
Sea trout
Bluefish
Lobster (American/Maine)

LOWER MERCURY
Eat no more than six 6-oz servings per month

Carp
Mahi Mahi
Crab (dungeness)
Snapper
Crab (blue)
Herring
Crab (snow)
Monkfish
Perch (freshwater)
Skate
Cod
Tuna (canned, chunk light)
Tuna (fresh Pacific albacore)

LOWEST MERCURY
Enjoy two 6-oz servings per week

Anchovies
Butterfish
Calamari (squid)
Caviar (farmed)
Crab (king)
Pollock
Catfish
Whitefish
Perch (ocean)
Scallops
Flounder
Haddock
Hake
Herring
Lobster (spiny/rock)
Shad
Sole
Crawfish/crayfish
Salmon
Shrimp
Clams
Tilapia
Oysters
Sardines
Sturgeon (farmed)
Trout (freshwater)
Chart obtained from the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC); data obtained by the FDA and the EPA.

Tuna mercury levels can be different based on the type of tuna and where it was caught. The NRDC created the chart below as a guideline to how much tuna can be eaten by children, pregnant women or women wanting to conceive, based on their weight.

Weight in Pounds Frequency a Person Can Safely Eat A 6-ounce Can of Tuna
White Albacore Chunk Light
11 1 can/4 months 1 can/6 weeks
22 1 can/2 months 1 can/23 days
33 1 can/5 weeks 1 can/2 weeks
44 1 can/4 weeks 1 can/12 days
55 1 can/3 weeks 1 can/9 days
66 1 can/3 weeks 1 can/8 days
77 1 can/3 weeks 1 can/week
88 1 can/2 weeks 1 can/6 days
99 1 can/2 weeks 1 can/5 days
110 1 can/12 days 1 can/5 days
121 1 can/11 days 1 can/4 days
132 1 can/10 days 1 can/4 days
143 1 can/9 days 1 can/4 days
154 1 can/9 days 1 can/3 days
165 1 can/8 days 1 can/3 days
176 1 can/week 1 can/3 days
187 1 can/week 1 can/3 days
198 1 can/week 1 can/3 days
209 1 can/6 days 1 can/2days
220 1 can/6 days 1 can/2 days
Source: Food and Drug Administration test results for mercury and fish, and the Environmental Protection Agency's determination of safe levels of mercury

I hope this helps. Just remember, every doctor has their own interpretation of things, and their own way of doing things.... You can go to 5 different doctors for the same problem and get 5 completely different diagnoeses.