As many people know by now, working fish into your diet is a healthy thing to do.
This is because seafood in general contains a lot of lean proteins and other essential nutrients that are great for your body.
Fish for the most part is also high in omega 3 fatty acids (good fat) and low in saturated fat (bad fat), making it a very heart friendly component in a number of healthy recipes.
Doctors highly recommend eating a diet that incorporates a variety of different fish, especially in women and growing children.
But a lot of types of fish also contain certain toxins that you need to watch out for.
The biggest one of these that you have to be careful not to consume too much of is mercury.
While when eaten in moderation, mercury fish will not do much harm to the average person, eating large amounts of certain types of seafood that are known to be high in mercury can create a number of health concerns.
High levels of mercury fish, such as tuna, can be particularly harmful to unborn babies and young children.
To avoid damaging a child's developing nervous system, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding are advised to keep their mercury consumption to a minimum.
Doctors recommend that certain types of fish be avoided all together by these women and not fed to little kids.
The following guidelines can help you avoid the negative effects of mercury fish and maximize the benefits of other types of fish.
1.
Stay away from swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish.
All of these types of seafood are known for having higher than normal levels of mercury.
2.
Try to eat two meals a week that include six ounces of fish that are low in mercury.
Shrimp, catfish, salmon, and pollock all tend to be great options.
For tune lovers, try to avoid albacore, or "white" tuna, which has more mercury than other varieties.
3.
If you are planning to eat fresh fish that has been caught by a friend or family member, check local advisories to make sure that the nearby waters are safe.