Shellfish restrictions?

monicarosega

Are there any restrictions on shellfish consumption like there are on regular fish that may contain mercury?

I can't remember from last time and I keep forgetting to ask my doctor. I have been craving it crazy (crab legs, lobster, shrimp) and I just want to make sure that I don't eat an unhealthy amount!

Bree4011

It depends on the fish.  I know that shrimp is ok, it's in the lowest category that says you can have 6oz 3 times a week.  King crab is also in that category, but all other crab is in the next category up, which is like 6oz 3 times a month?  I'm not exactly sure, if you google it though you can find the exact info.  I went out for seafood the other night and was googling it all on my husbands Iphone.  

Lovestojam

monicarose...,

I'm going through the same issue as we live part time on the coast, and DH and I eat a ton of seafood, especially shellfish. I did some research and here is what I found.

You do need to be careful if you eat lobster. Spiny North American or Caribbean lobster is fine as they have low levels of mercury and iodine. Try to portion this out at no more than 6 oz per week. You will need to, however, limit the amount of fresh Maine lobster (or New England lobster) as it contains much higher levels of Iodine. Otherwise, you are mostly ok with shellfish, with the exception of molusks (E.g. Clams, Mussels, Oysters) which you should not eat raw while pregant, and should only eat if fully cooked, and preferably no more than 6 oz per week. Hope this helps.

Lovestojam

Just found this and thought it might be helpful...

 Mercury Levels in Fish

We know that fish can be very nutritious and are packed with great nutrients such as omega-3?s, the B vitamins and lean protein. But unfortunately, fish can also have some unhealthy contaminants. Mercury is a contaminant found in fish that can affect brain development and the nervous system. The FDA has released guidelines for children, women who are pregnant and women who are trying to become pregnant. These guidelines state that no more than 12 oz of low mercury fish should be consumed weekly. "Highest" mercury fish should be avoided and "high" mercury fish should be kept to only three 6-oz servings per month.

What does this mean for women who are pregnant but also trying to get some of their much needed nutrients from the critters of the sea? It is all about moderation. Recent information released in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine says that no one should cut fish out of their diet altogether. Fish contains too many healthy nutrients that are essential for growth and development, especially in a pregnant mom and baby. There are 4 types of fish that should be on the list to avoid due to mercury levels. These include: shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish.

For information regarding other types of fish, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has released a list of fish and their mercury levels so that people can be informed on what they are consuming. If you want to get more detailed information about mercury levels and how much you personally are consuming, you can also use the mercury thermometer to calculate your totals.

Highest Mercury

AVOID Eating

Grouper
Marlin
Orange roughy
Tilefish
Swordfish
Shark
Mackerel (king)

High Mercury

Eat no more than three 6-oz servings per month

Bass saltwater
Croaker
Halibut
Tuna (canned, white albacore) See tuna chart below
Tuna (fresh bluefin, ahi)
Sea trout
Bluefish
Lobster (American/Maine)

LOWER MERCURY

Eat no more than six 6-oz servings per month

Carp
Mahi Mahi
Crab (dungeness)
Snapper
Crab (blue)
Herring
Crab (snow)
Monkfish
Perch (freshwater)
Skate
Cod
Tuna (canned, chunk light)
Tuna (fresh Pacific albacore)

LOWEST MERCURY

Enjoy two 6-oz servings per week

Anchovies
Butterfish
Calamari (squid)
Caviar (farmed)
Crab (king)
Pollock
Catfish
Whitefish
Perch (ocean)
Scallops
Flounder
Haddock
Hake
Herring
Lobster (spiny/rock)
Shad
Sole
Crawfish/crayfish
Salmon
Shrimp
Clams
Tilapia
Oysters
Sardines
Sturgeon (farmed)
Trout (freshwater)
Chart obtained from the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC); data obtained by the FDA and the EPA.

Tuna mercury levels can be different based on the type of tuna and where it was caught. The NRDC created the chart below as a guideline to how much tuna can be eaten by children, pregnant women or women wanting to conceive, based on their weight.

Weight in Pounds	Frequency a Person Can Safely Eat A 6-ounce Can of Tuna
	White Albacore	Chunk Light
11	1 can/4 months	1 can/6 weeks
22	1 can/2 months	1 can/23 days
33	1 can/5 weeks	1 can/2 weeks
44	1 can/4 weeks	1 can/12 days
55	1 can/3 weeks	1 can/9 days
66	1 can/3 weeks	1 can/8 days
77	1 can/3 weeks	1 can/week
88	1 can/2 weeks	1 can/6 days
99	1 can/2 weeks	1 can/5 days
110	1 can/12 days	1 can/5 days
121	1 can/11 days	1 can/4 days
132	1 can/10 days	1 can/4 days
143	1 can/9 days	1 can/4 days
154	1 can/9 days	1 can/3 days
165	1 can/8 days	1 can/3 days
176	1 can/week	1 can/3 days
187	1 can/week	1 can/3 days
198	1 can/week	1 can/3 days
209	1 can/6 days	1 can/2days
220	1 can/6 days	1 can/2 days
Source: Food and Drug Administration test results for mercury and fish, and the Environmental Protection Agency's determination of safe levels of mercury.

 

monicarosega

Thank you all! That was VERY helpful!