The VJD Daily Tip: Go Fish
Editor’s note: Worried about mercury in the fish you’re eating? This week, email tips provider Vital Juice Daily has advice for how to avoid the mercury while still enjoying your seafood.
These days, there’s something fishy about fish—and we’re not talking about the smell!
The deluge of information about mercury contamination (affects the brain and nervous system) has us concerned. We know it’s a wonderful source of protein, good fats, vitamins and minerals—so what’s the catch?
American Dietetic Association spokesperson Susan Moores, MS, RD reels us in:
Large, predatory fish tend to be at risk for greatest contamination—like shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, tuna (albacore has 3x the level of methylmercury as canned light tuna). Eating these fish once weekly is "safe" for most adults. Pregnant women (or those trying or nursing) should avoid them.
If these fish sound familiar, understand your exposure with the NRDC’s mercury calculator.
And when possible, opt for wild salmon (not farmed), tilapia, trout and sole—they’re light on mercury. Finding healthy fish boils down to good manufacturing practices, so ask the shop about its sources.
Download this pocket guide to smart seafood selections for guidance on the go.
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Tags: Daily Tips, fish, Food, Food Production, mercury
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Excellent recommendations. People should be aware of both the risks and benefits of seafood. The decision of what fish to eat can be a challenge and often contradictory. At the very least, people should know that FDA and EPA have issued advisories about mercury contamination in commonly-sold fish. This information is hard to find and is not usually available where it is most necessary: your supermarket.
Oceana, a conservation group, is trying to get major grocery companies to post this government advice at their seafood counters. Thanks, in part to their work, Whole Foods, Safeway stores, and Wild Oats voluntarily agreed to post the FDA’s recommendations and they have had positive responses from customers and no loss in seafood sales. But other companies like Wal-Mart, Costco, and Giant have refused to do so. Oceana has a list of which companies care about their customers’ health enough to post this advice, as well as a list of companies that don’t. You can get the Green List and Red List at their website.