Can I eat sushi tuna while breastfeeding?

Can I Eat Sushi Tuna While Breastfeeding?
As a new mother, the question of whether you can indulge in sushi, particularly tuna, while breastfeeding is a common concern. The good news is that sushi can generally be safe to eat during lactation, but there are important considerations regarding the type of fish and its mercury content.
Mercury Levels in Tuna
One of the primary concerns with consuming tuna while breastfeeding is its mercury content. Certain types of tuna, especially larger species like bigeye and yellowfin, tend to accumulate higher levels of mercury, which can be harmful to both you and your baby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend that breastfeeding mothers limit their intake of high-mercury fish to less than 4-6 ounces per week. This means that enjoying a sushi roll containing tuna, which typically has about 2 ounces of fish, is generally acceptable as long as you don’t make it a daily habit.
Health Benefits of Fish
Despite the mercury concerns, fish can be a valuable part of a breastfeeding mother’s diet. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for both maternal health and the development of the baby’s brain. Therefore, while it’s wise to be cautious about the type and quantity of tuna you consume, incorporating moderate amounts of sushi from reputable sources can provide nutritional benefits.
Food Safety Considerations
Another aspect to consider is the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with raw fish. While the risk is lower for breastfeeding mothers compared to pregnant women, it’s still essential to ensure that any sushi you consume is prepared in a clean environment and made from high-quality ingredients. This helps mitigate the risk of infections such as listeriosis, which can pose a threat to both mother and child.
Conclusion
In summary, you can enjoy sushi tuna while breastfeeding, but moderation is key. Stick to reputable sushi establishments, limit your intake of high-mercury fish, and be mindful of food safety practices. By doing so, you can savor your sushi cravings without compromising your health or that of your baby.

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.

Is sushi safe while breastfeeding?

Can you eat sushi while breastfeeding? Many guidelines recommend avoiding sushi during pregnancy. However, sushi is generally safe for someone to eat while nursing.

How long after birth can I eat sushi again?

“You can order some rolls immediately after delivery if you’ve been wanting to eat raw fish,” says Ross. Consuming raw fish is a-okay while you’re breastfeeding, but nursing moms should be careful to avoid eating fish that’s high in mercury, adds Franke.

Does sushi affect breast milk?

Spicy foods, beans, broccoli, garlic, sushi and other fish are all fine to eat while breastfeeding. Despite common belief, eating these foods will not cause your baby to be gassy or fussy. There are no specific foods all nursing parents need to avoid.

Is ahi tuna safe while breastfeeding?

The Problem with Tuna
Mercury is a contaminant in water which passes through the placenta during pregnancy and, in smaller amounts, through breast milk while nursing. It can damage the nerves in the brain, spinal cord and kidneys, and large amounts should therefore be avoided.

Does tuna increase breast milk supply?

Salmon, sardines, herring, anchovies, trout, mackerel and tuna are great sources of essential fatty acids and omega- 3 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) improve mom’s nutrition status so that she can produce the hormones necessary for milk production. EFA’s are a key ingredient in breast milk.

Can you eat sushi grade tuna while breastfeeding?

Bigeye tuna, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, and tilefish are not recommended in any quantities for breastfeeding women. (They are also not recommended for pregnant women or young children.) Limit white (albacore) tuna to no more than 6 ounces per week. Other canned tuna isn’t limited.

Is all ahi tuna high in mercury?

Ahi (or yellowfin) tuna can vary greatly in mercury content based on where it is sourced. The FDA lists the average as 0.35 ug/g or 10 ug/oz for cooked ahi tuna.

Is it OK to eat canned tuna while breastfeeding?

Tuna: if you are trying for a baby or are pregnant, you should have no more than 4 cans of tuna a week or no more than 2 tuna steaks a week. This is because tuna contains higher levels of mercury than other fish. If you are breastfeeding, there is no limit on how much tuna you can eat.

What foods lower breast milk supply?

Which Foods Might Decrease Your Breast Milk Supply?

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