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A lot of green folks out there opt out of 'land animals' in their diet and turn to fish, a noted healthier source of meat, instead. But the debate over whether or not fish should be eaten is ongoing. Some fish contain high-levels of mercury, which can be damaging to the brain. Others, including researchers in a recent Harvard study, say the omega-3 fatty acids in fish are essential for the health of our brains—and those of our children. These researchers are actually claiming that the FDA's recommended intake of fish (12 ounces a week) is too low and may be detrimental for the development of a fetus' brain in pregnant women. The study, in fact, showed that children who had mothers who ate three or more servings of fish per week while pregnant performed better on tests of mental function.
So what is a green mother-to-be to do?
On one hand, you're being told that eating fish could cause a damaging intake of mercury for both you and your child. On another hand, you're being told (and shown) that eating more fish while pregnant will actually improve the motor and cognitive skills of your child. And on yet another hand, for all of those willing to accept analogies containing third hands, you have to make the green choice when it comes down to eating a pescatarian diet versus vegetarian diet.
My advice: Make sure to get your omega-3s and do so without consuming a lot of mercury. If you're going to eat fish, make sure that you buy eco-friendly fish. This means buying fish that is raised without chemicals and in tanks with clean water and lots of room. On top of that, it means eating fish that are not endangered and are not over-farmed. (Or perhaps you should just catch your own fish).
Regardless of how you approach obtaining eco-friendly fish, there are still certain types of fish you should avoid, particularly when pregnant, because of their high mercury content; greenly-raised or not. These fish include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tile fish, but as a general rule of thumb—bigger fish tend to have higher mercury levels. Small fish have both lower levels of mercury and a higher concentration of omega-3s. The perfect kinds of fish for a pregnant woman to eat are the small ones: sardines, anchovies, and herring.
If you'd rather opt out of eating fish entirely, don't worry. There are ways to get your omega-3s without eating fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are can offer your health a whole lot of favors, including blood clot reduction and obesity prevention. If you're not going to eat fish, get these fatty acids from walnuts, flaxseeds, cooked soybeans, baked winter squash, or raw tofu.
The moral of the story: Pregnant women need to make sure they're getting their omega-3, but they need to do so without consuming a dangerous level of mercury or damaging the environment. It requires forethought, plain and simple.
More on going green while pregnant:
The Complete Organic Pregnancy
Further Reading on Green Babies
Hip, Green Maternity Clothes
Top Green Baby Tips
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