Sunday, February 14, 2010

Fish and Pregnancy

I love sushi!  My husband wanted to take me to Izumi for a Valentines weekend dinner and I was stoked.  I'm pregnant though and wanted to do a little research before we went, to make sure I didn't order anything harmful to my baby's health.  Mercury is what you want to avoid.
Highest Mercury
Grouper, Marlin, Orange roughy, Tilefish , Swordfish, Shark , Mackerel (king)
High Mercury
Bass saltwater, Croaker, Halibut, Tuna (canned, white albacore) See tuna chart below, Tuna (fresh bluefin, ahi), Sea trout, Bluefish, Lobster (American/Maine)
Lower Mercury
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
Anchovies, Calamari (squid), Caviar, Crab (king), Catfish, Whitefish, Scallops, Flounder, Herring, Lobster, Crawfish/crayfish, Salmon, Shrimp, Clams, Tilapia, Oysters, Sardines, Sturgeon, Trout (freshwater) 

Now, for the sushi lovers, one knows that their menus most likely will be in Japanese, so here's a list of terms that you may find helpful in your attempt to order wisely.

LOWER MERCURY
Ebi (shrimp) - Hamaguri (clam) - Hotategai (scallop) - Ika (squid) - Ikura (salmon roe) - Kaibashira (shellfish) - Kani (crab) - Masago (smelt egg) - Masu (trout) - Sake (salmon) - Tako (octopus) - Tsubugai (shellfish) - Unagi (freshwater eel) - Uni (sea urchin roe) 

HIGH MERCURY
Ahi (yellowfin tuna) - Buri & Hamachi (yellowtail) - Kajiki (swordfish) - Maguro, Meji, & Toro (bigeye, bluefin or yellowfin tuna) - Makjiki (blue marlin)- Saba (mackerel) - Shiro (albacore tuna) - Suzuki (sea bass)

For more info, go to www.nrdc.org

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