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April 14, 2009 by admin.
Did you read the latest Costco Connection where they highlighted albacore tuna? While Costco has a very good price on albacore tuna, I just want to share some healthful tips related to albacore tuna before you buy too much of it. I’m just sorry they weren’t up front with the health information regarding albacore.
Albacore tuna, also known as “white tuna” has higher levels of mercury than “light tuna” which comes from the yellowfin tuna. This can be of great concern to women who are pregnant, might become pregnant, who are breastfeeing, and also for young children. Visit http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/fish/ for more information.
With tuna being a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, don’t eliminate tuna from your diet. “Light tuna”, while having a slightly stronger flavor than albacore, works just as well in any tuna fish recipe calling for canned tuna. Occasionally think about having canned salmon instead.
From a government site:
FISH FACTS for Pregnant Women, Women Who May Become Pregnant,
Nursing Mothers and Young Children
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued advice to pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children regarding methylmercury in fish and shellfish. FDA and EPA want to emphasize the benefits of eating fish as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Fish and shellfish are good sources of protein, omega 3 fatty acids and other important nutrients. A diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and proper growth and development in children. However, pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children are advised to modify the amount and type of fish they consume to reduce exposure to high levels of mercury.
Question: What is methylmercury and is it dangerous?
Answer: Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and can also be released into the air from pollution. When mercury falls from the air into water, it is turned into methylmercury. This type of mercury may be harmful to an unborn baby or young child’s nervous system. Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury, but it builds up in some types of fish and shellfish more than others.
Question: What type of fish/shellfish should I avoid?
Answer: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
Question: What type of fish is safe to eat?
Answer: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children may eat up to 12 ounces per week, per person, or approximately 2 average meals per week, of a variety of fish. Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury include:
• Shrimp
• Canned light tuna
• Salmon
• Pollock
• Catfish .
Question: Can I eat white albacore tuna?
Answer: Albacore (white) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children may eat 6 ounces of albacore tuna per week.
Question: What type of tuna is provided in USDA’s commodity food programs?
Answer: USDA provides only light tuna in the commodity food programs.
REMEMBER: Fish is an important part of a healthy diet. It is important for pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children to continue to eat fish. Simply avoid those fish that are higher in mercury. For additional information, visit these websites: www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01038.html
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/ercury/backgrounder.html
www.cfsan.fda.gov/seafood1.html
Visit www.advantagediets.com for more healthful tips.
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