| Many people think if they just eliminate red meat and | | | | that may harm an unborn baby or young child's |
| poultry from their diets, their eating healthier. This is | | | | developing nervous system. The risks from mercury in |
| partly true, but there are hazards to eating fish and | | | | fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and |
| seafood as well. The harm that humans have done to | | | | shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and |
| the environment has had a direct effect on the fish | | | | shellfish. |
| and seafood we eat. | | | | Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| There are elements of fish and shellfish are an | | | | and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are |
| important part of a healthy diet. Fish and shellfish | | | | advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant |
| contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, | | | | women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid |
| are low in saturated fat, and contain omega-3 fatty | | | | some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are |
| acids. | | | | lower in mercury. |
| A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and | | | | Is this anyway to eat - in fear of unhealthy elements |
| shellfish can contribute to heart health and children's | | | | that are lurking in our food? |
| proper growth and development. So, women and | | | | Eliminating red meat and eating a more vegetarian diet |
| young children in particular should include fish or shellfish | | | | is an excellent start on the road to more healthy |
| in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits. | | | | eating. Eliminating fish and seafood is one of the final |
| However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of | | | | steps towards eating a complete vegetarian diet and |
| mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury by | | | | the health benefits that are your reward for making |
| eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, | | | | that change. |
| some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury | | | | |