Can I eat canned albacore tuna while breastfeeding?

Eating Canned Albacore Tuna While Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know
As a breastfeeding mother, your dietary choices are crucial not only for your health but also for the well-being of your baby. One common question that arises is whether it is safe to consume canned albacore tuna during this period. The answer is generally positive, but moderation is key.
Safety and Recommendations
According to the FDA, it is generally safe for breastfeeding mothers to eat canned tuna, including albacore, but they recommend limiting intake to 6 ounces (approximately 170 grams) per week. This guideline is primarily due to concerns about mercury levels found in certain types of fish, including tuna. Mercury can accumulate in the body and potentially affect the developing nervous system of infants, making it essential to monitor your consumption.
Nutritional Benefits
Canned albacore tuna is not only convenient but also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for both maternal health and the cognitive development of your baby. Omega-3s, particularly EPA and DHA, are known to support brain development and can be an important part of a breastfeeding mother’s diet. Thus, while it’s important to be cautious about mercury, the nutritional benefits of tuna can be significant when consumed within recommended limits.
Mercury Concerns
The primary concern with eating tuna, especially albacore, is its mercury content. Albacore tuna tends to have higher mercury levels compared to light tuna. Therefore, the FDA’s recommendation to limit intake is particularly relevant for breastfeeding mothers, as mercury can transfer into breast milk. It’s advisable to choose light tuna when possible, as it generally contains lower levels of mercury.
Making Informed Choices
The FDA and EPA have provided guidance to help breastfeeding mothers make informed choices about fish consumption. They emphasize the importance of balancing the nutritional benefits of fish with the potential risks associated with mercury. If you enjoy tuna, consider varying your diet with other low-mercury fish options, such as salmon or sardines, to ensure a well-rounded intake of nutrients without exceeding mercury limits.
Conclusion
In summary, you can safely enjoy canned albacore tuna while breastfeeding, provided you adhere to the recommended limits of 6 ounces per week. This approach allows you to benefit from the nutritional advantages of tuna while minimizing any potential risks associated with mercury exposure. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you have specific concerns or dietary restrictions, ensuring that your choices align with your health needs and those of your baby.

Is albacore tuna safe for babies?

Canned light tuna is one of the varieties considered “Best Choices,” or the lowest in mercury. It’s safe for children and adults to eat this and other “best” fish two to three times a week. Canned and fresh albacore and white tuna are among the “Good Choices” fish, which can safely be eaten once a week.

What happens if I eat high mercury fish while breastfeeding?

Key findings. Mercury can pass from a mother to her baby through the placenta during pregnancy and, in smaller amounts, through breast milk after birth. Mercury exposure can affect the infant’s brain and nervous system development during pregnancy and after birth.

Is canned albacore tuna easy to digest?

In summary, canned tuna is an easily digestible and nutritious source of lean protein that can be incorporated into a balanced diet for good digestion. It is essential to consume a variety of nutrients from different sources and listen to your body to determine what is easily digestible for you.

Can tuna upset a breastfed baby?

One food that you absolutely want to steer clear of while breastfeeding is fish high in mercury like tuna, swordfish and mackerel. Even in small amounts, mercury toxins can pass through breast milk to your baby and affect their brain and nervous system.

Which canned tuna is lowest in mercury?

Safe Catch’s Original Elite Wild Tuna. Safe Catch Elite Tuna, simply the lowest mercury tuna of any brand.

What fish should I avoid while breastfeeding?

You’ll want to avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as king mackerel, shark, swordfish, orange roughy, tilefish, and marlin. When you do eat fish, the safest choices are salmon, tilapia, cod, catfish, flounder, herring, and pollock.

What foods lower breast milk supply?

Which Foods Might Decrease Your Breast Milk Supply?

• Alcohol.
• Sage, Parsley, and Peppermint.
• Chasteberry.
• Pseudoephedrine, Methylergonovine, and Bromocriptine.

Is albacore tuna safe while breastfeeding?

Also, look out for the different types of tuna. Albacore tuna typically contains more mercury than canned light tuna, so if you eat albacore, don’t have more than six ounces of it in a week.

Is canned albacore tuna high in mercury?

Mercury levels in canned white tuna, which is exclusively albacore, are almost three times higher than those found in smaller skipjack tuna commonly used in canned light tuna products.

Which is healthier, albacore or chunk light tuna?

Canned tuna is healthy: all types of tuna are high in protein and feature omega-3 fatty acids, yet lower in saturated fat and calories. However, albacore does have slightly more fat and calories than light tuna such as skipjack or yellowfin—which means it has more omega-3 fatty acids.