Dried fish and pregnancy. Fish during pregnancy

It's no secret that many pregnant women really want salty foods, and most often such unbridled desires tend to arise in them precisely at the first stages of their interesting situation, which is quite natural and has a scientific explanation.

Canned cucumbers, tomatoes and salted fish for pregnant women are the very delicacies that you definitely want to try in the first trimester, which lasts from the first to the twelfth week inclusive. Meanwhile, salted fish during pregnancy, like other similar food products, are not at all contraindicated for consumption, unless of course we are talking about their moderate dosage, because there is an ordinary need for the body that arises as a result of hidden processes directly related to the internal women's lives.

The thing is that until the placenta is formed, the entire load caused by the interesting position temporarily falls on the body and, above all, on the circulatory system. This usually results in a decrease in blood pressure, which in turn leads to weak flow and filling of the blood vessel walls. This is why pregnant women often feel unwell in the first trimester, constantly experiencing weakness, nausea and malaise. A logical question arises: what does salty food, and fish in particular, have to do with it?

In fact, there is a completely logical explanation for this phenomenon, because the body tries to cope with low blood pressure by increasing fluid consumption and filling the currents. And as you know, you never feel as thirsty as you do after eating salty foods, and that is why a pregnant woman during the period of placenta formation experiences such an urgent need to consume them regularly. This is exactly what was meant when it was indicated above about the natural need of the body, which is not recommended to be interfered with.

This lasts until 16-17 weeks, because it is at this period that the placenta completes its formation and takes on all the burden associated with pregnancy, which is the norm. If the craving for salty foods does not decrease even after this period, you should consult a specialist.

As for the salty foods themselves, choosing between fish and canned vegetables, it is best to give your preference to the first category, because even an ordinary herring contains an order of magnitude more vitamins, minerals and nutrients than tomatoes boiled in spices, and what can we say about such a valuable substance as fish fat, which is contained in abundance in its pulp. Another thing is that one should observe moderation in everything and abuse even such the healthiest products It's definitely not worth the food.

You should also be extremely careful with red fish, because it is an allergen and can negatively affect not only the pregnant woman, but also the fetus. At the same time, the benefits of such a delicacy are undeniable (zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, easily digestible protein, omega fatty acids, and a number of vitamins, including rare E, and much, much more) and its regular use in moderate doses only welcome.

Salted fish during pregnancy, like many other foods with a high salt content, is not recommended for consumption only if the expectant mother suffers from edema (especially during pregnancy). later), because we can talk about hidden toxicosis, a tendency to polyhydramnios, gestosis and many other ailments that disappear immediately after childbirth, but can have a negative impact on the development and vital functions of the fetus. This recommendation is also directly related to the fact that after salty dishes and certain food items you become very thirsty, which should not be done during such a course of pregnancy (meaning limiting the average daily fluid intake).

If a pregnant woman does not suffer from edema and allergic manifestations, then the fish will not only not harm her and her unborn baby, but, on the contrary, will bring great benefits. In this case, it is best to focus on various light salads and mixes with salted fish.

Why should there be fish dishes on the menu for expectant mothers? Because it is a valuable source of iodine and omega-3. How to choose fish and how to cook it correctly? We know!

Nutrition during pregnancy: choosing types of fish

Fish, especially sea fish, is a valuable source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, phosphorus and other microelements for expectant mothers. Scientists have repeatedly proven that children whose mothers ate a lot of fish dishes during pregnancy show better results in development and communication.

The required amount of fish in the diet during pregnancy is 250-350 g, i.e. It is advisable to eat seafood 2-3 times a week.

• Avoid river fish and even fish you catch yourself from a village pond. It is possible that she may be infected with worms. Give preference to sea fish: cod, salmon, ice salmon, pollock, catfish, pollock.
• It is better not to include some types of fish in the diet for pregnant women because they can accumulate mercury: shark, swordfish, king mackerel. For an adult healthy person some mercury will not harm, but its effect on developing child can be disastrous.

Seafood in the diet for pregnant women

• In addition to fish, seafood can also be included in the diet for pregnant women. Some of them may cause allergies, but if after 2-3 salads with shrimp you are not covered in a red rash, you can continue to eat. But knowing when to stop!
• You should not eat lobsters, oysters and rapana during pregnancy - they can accumulate mercury.
• There is no need to overuse caviar. Caviar is very healthy, but subject to careful pasteurization and packaging.

Vitamin D is found in herring, salmon, sardines and fish oil.

What kind of fish can pregnant women eat?

During pregnancy, expectant mothers need to plan their diet with an eye on the health of the future baby. Therefore, the question “What kind of fish can pregnant women eat?” - very relevant.

Scientists from the USA conducted research work and managed to answer it. So, what kind of fish should pregnant women eat? And in what quantity?

Fish that can be eaten during pregnancy:

• halibut, sea bass, sea trout, lobster, bluefin tuna. A serving should not exceed 200 grams. Please note: no more than 3 servings per month;
• cod, crab, monkfish, stingray, Pacific longfin tuna - no more than 6 servings of 200 grams per month;
• anchovies, squid, butterfish, catfish, whitefish, scallops, hake, salmon, shrimp, oysters, sardines, sole, lobsters. Recommended amount: 2 servings per week, no more than 200 grams.

What fish should pregnant women not eat?

Not every fish eaten can benefit the expectant mother. Research has shown that predatory and bottom-dwelling marine fish contain mercury. However, this metal is also found in other varieties of fish, but these are especially abundant. When eating fish with dangerous “fillings”, mercury accumulates in the female body. And during pregnancy, about a third of the mercury reaches the unborn baby.

Eating fish such as tuna, shark, swordfish and king mackerel is especially dangerous.

The most harmful levels of mercury are considered to be fish caught in the Baltic Sea, as well as off the coast of the USA and Canada.

During pregnancy, fish is one of the most necessary foods. It replenishes the reserves of nutrients in the body expectant mother, strengthens it and stimulates the proper functioning of organs.

important Fish brings even more benefits to the body, saturating it with all the necessary microelements that contribute to the proper formation of all vital organs.

Benefit

• Fish rich in iodine, which regulates the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. It is also necessary for the proper formation of the fetal bone and nervous system, and for the active development of neurons in the cerebral cortex. Many scientists believe that the level of intelligence of a child depends on a sufficient amount of iodine in the body during gestation.
• necessary to strengthen the immune system, proper development vision in the baby and prevent the inheritance of certain diseases.
• Abundance of proteins and phosphorus in fish- the main building particles of the body - makes it one of the most basic products for the expectant mother.
• Availability of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which the human body is not able to produce on its own, helps reduce cholesterol, which leads to improved functioning of the circulatory system and heart muscle, and also activates brain activity.

additionally With regular consumption of fish, the blood clotting function is normalized, vision, sleep and metabolism are normalized, the condition of hair, skin and nails is normalized.

Harm from eating fish

• You should avoid smoked fish in general, since it is poorly digested, there are practically no useful substances in it, and accumulated carcinogens contribute to the appearance of cancer cells.
• It's better during pregnancy give up exotic poisonous fish. Even if you follow all the cooking rules, you cannot be sure that the already weakened body of a pregnant woman will not react painfully to such a delicacy.
• From unprocessed fish there is always probability.
• Make sure the fish is suitable for consumption. After the expiration date, fish may cause.

Fish varieties

Sterlet:

• the presence of zinc (stimulates the functioning of the immune system), nickel (reduces), fluoride (strengthens tooth enamel) and chromium (prevents);
• Contraindicated for people with pancreatic dysfunction.

dangerous If stored incorrectly, you can become infected with worms or botulism.

Sturgeon:

• improves metabolic processes and stimulates skin regeneration, combines low calorie content and high energy value;
• tends to accumulate toxins in tissues. If the fish was grown in a polluted environment, then there is a possibility of poisoning due to accumulations of mercury and other harmful substances.

Herring:

• the presence of special acids has a positive effect, normalizes, removes toxins and relieves inflammation;
• the presence of the amino acid tyramine, which in large quantities reduces serotonin levels and can cause migraines.

capelin:

• this is the source

Fish is not only a tasty product, but also a source of vitamins, minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is known that its use helps to supply the expectant mother’s body with everything necessary for the full development of the baby. But you need to remember that not all fish is equally useful during pregnancy.

There are restrictions on the quantity and type of this product, as well as on the method of preparation. Let's consider the basic rules for eating fish during pregnancy, its beneficial properties and possible contraindications.

Not many people think about useful properties oh fish, although it is a truly unique product. It contains:

• vitamins D, A and group B;
• easily digestible animal protein;
• phosphorus;
• fluorine;
• zinc;
• calcium;
• selenium;
• magnesium.

Thanks to this, it helps strengthen bones, and also helps to avoid vitamin deficiency and improve immunity. But the main value of fish and some seafood is the presence of omega-3 acids in them, namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

These substances are necessary for the normal formation of the brain and central nervous system of the unborn child. It has been proven that children born to women who regularly consumed fish and seafood during pregnancy are ahead of their peers in psychomotor development and have higher intelligence. Therefore, if you want your child to succeed in school, it is worth taking care of your nutrition before he is born.

What fish should you eat during pregnancy?

• trout;
• salmon;
• chum salmon;
• sardine;
• herring;
• cod;
• flounder;

But remember that the maximum benefit comes from fish not smoked and salted, but baked in foil or steamed. Sometimes you can afford canned food, but it must be of good quality.

What fish should you not eat?

Increasing environmental pollution affects all living organisms. This environmental situation leads to the accumulation in river and sea ​​creatures heavy metals, dioxins and mercury. The largest amount of these compounds accumulates in long-lived predatory fish.

Species prohibited for pregnant women include:

• tuna;
• swordfish;
• shark;
• halibut;
• bluefish;
• King mackerel

Toxic substances tend to accumulate in fats, so in order to protect yourself and your unborn child, you should give preference to low-fat fish. On early stages It is also not recommended to consume cod liver.

The maximum amount of vitamins, iodine and polyunsaturated fatty acids that have a positive effect on mental development the child and helping to maintain the health of the mother, is contained in sea fish. Therefore, if possible, it is better to purchase it.

But red and black caviar should be consumed with caution. Preservatives added to it to keep the product longer are carcinogens and cause cancer. It is also undesirable to eat mussels and other shellfish, since during their life processes they filter large volumes of water, absorbing harmful substances.

A pregnant woman's diet may include seafood such as lobster, shrimp, and crab. In terms of nutritional value and the amount of useful microelements, they are not inferior to sea fish. It is recommended to eat them boiled, since substances added to marinades and canned food can cause disturbances in the development of the fetus.

If you cannot afford to eat seafood regularly or have nowhere to buy it, river fish will be a worthy alternative. Of course, in terms of omega-3 and iodine content, it cannot be compared with seafood, but many valuable microelements (phosphorus, zinc, fluorine, etc.) are present in it. The main thing is to purchase fish from trusted stores and subject it to high-quality heat treatment.

Cooking rules

As already mentioned, fish during pregnancy will be more beneficial if it is steamed or baked in foil. It is not recommended to fry it in oil; the fat content of the product increases sharply, which creates an excess load on the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

Heat treatment of fish is carried out according to the 10-minute rule. This means that for every 2.5 cm of fish in thickness, 10 minutes of cooking time should be allowed at 200° C. If the product is frozen, it should be allowed to thaw before cooking.

How much should I use?

However, if you want to eat a little more, don’t deny yourself. There is no data confirming the negative impact of exceeding this norm of consumption of fish and seafood on the body of a pregnant woman.

Precautionary measures

For a number of diseases in the expectant mother, seafood and fish dishes may be contraindicated. You should avoid them in case of food allergies; also, abnormalities in kidney function are indications for limiting the amount of protein foods.

Every woman carrying a baby wants to give birth to a healthy child with good immunity. But for this you need to include it in your diet. different types fish and seafood.

Let's figure out what the benefits of this food are, and what fish pregnant women can and cannot eat.

The benefits of fish for the body

The benefits of fish dishes for the body of a pregnant woman can hardly be overestimated. Every year, scientists are finding more and more benefits of its use and beneficial properties, and doctors are increasingly recommending regularly adding fish to the menu. In addition to its nutritional value and high taste, it is endowed with a number of benefits, such as:

• vitamins A and D;
• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• amino acids;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• selenium;
• magnesium;
• iron;
• fluorine;
• potassium;

A huge role is played by the presence of complete and easily digestible protein, about 10-20 g per 100 g of fish, which is easily digested and does not burden the gastrointestinal tract, which is especially critical during pregnancy.

During this period, the need for Omega-3 acids, which are most abundant in this product, increases. Namely two types:

• eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA;
• docosahexaenoic acid or DHA.

Sufficient joint consumption of these substances affects a number of processes occurring in the body of the mother and her unborn child;

• promotes the proper formation of cell membranes;
• improves metabolism;
• prevents blood clotting;
• reduces risk
• influences the level of intellectual development of the child;
• improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• accelerates the maturation of brain cells and has a positive effect on the baby’s psychomotor development;
• strengthens the immune system;
• helps a young mother avoid.

Scientists have also proven that eating fish helps maintain good mood a woman who gives birth to more active, intellectually developed and smart children.

Did you know?The shark is one of the most adapted fish for survival. It can increase its body temperature if caught in a cold current and live in low water temperatures.

What kind of fish can you eat?

But all this does not mean that now you can eat all fish products in a row. You need to know which fish will be beneficial for pregnant women, and which ones should be completely avoided. You need to eat the types of fish that contain the presence of nutrients and Omega-3 most of all:

• salmon;
• mackerel;
• herring;
• sardine;
• flounder;
• horse mackerel;
• navaga;
• chum salmon

Important!You can separately consume fish oil, which contains more than 9 g of Omega-3 fatty acids per 100 g. But you need to be extremely careful when choosing, since these acids must be obtained from the body of the fish, and not from the liver.

Red fish is considered the most beneficial during pregnancy; it is enough to consume it in quantity. 150 – 170 g twice a week to get enough microelements for the body. But don’t forget about eating seafood such as squid, mussels, shrimp and kelp, which are also enriched with a whole complex of vitamins.

Which one is better to refuse?

There are species that need to be abandoned during this important period. IN Lately Due to the general pollution of the ocean, you can find fish in which the content of mercury and dioxin is exceeded. These include:

• marine predatory fish;
• species that live at the bottom;
• long-lived species.

Types that are prohibited for a pregnant woman:

• mackerel;
• swordfish;
• shark;
• tuna;
• halibut;
• marlene;
• sea ​​bass;
• king mackerel.

Did you know?When salmon spawn, they make a long journey from the open sea to the stream in which they were born. This road takes all the strength, and after throwing the salmon dies, giving food to the fry. Scientists still do not know how and by what criteria it finds its homeland.

There are four options for preparing fish dishes:

• For a couple. Vitamins and microelements are preserved. Pre-marinated in olive oil with lemon and your favorite spices and herbs.
• In the oven. All beneficial substances are preserved, and the taste becomes rich and aromatic. To preserve juiciness, you can wrap the fish in foil.
• Cooking. A small fish is placed in boiling water, and a large fish is placed in cold water. You can add bay leaf, allspice and onion to the water to improve the taste.
• You can cook fish cutlets or other dishes, but only from minced meat prepared independently from fresh fish.

The best addition to such dishes are boiled vegetables, fresh in the form of a salad or baked.

If you have problems with digestion, then you should also avoid fish broths, as they increase the acidity of the stomach.

What can be replaced

If you have an individual intolerance to fish products, allergies or other contraindications, do not be upset, because there are a number of products that can replace them:

• beans;
• avocado;
• tofu cheese;
• Soy meat;
• pace.

These are high protein plant foods that vegetarians eat.

Be attentive to the menu during pregnancy and consume only quality products. Then you can be confident in your health and the health of your unborn baby.