Mercury Exposure During Pregnancy Linked to ADHD (and the 10 Best & Worst Fish for Pregnancy!)

So the ongoing debate over whether fish is safe to eat during pregnancy continues: Yesterday, the hot topic got another talking point with the release of a new study that links prenatal mercury exposure to ADHD.

The new information is sure to scare new moms who consumed fish during their pregnancies and is likely to force expectant mothers to swear off any and all fish until after their little ones arrive safely in their arms.

But the study is twofold, so be sure to read on and make sure you’ve got all the information – as conflicting as it may seem – and check out the 10 best and worse fish to consume during your pregnancy.

The craziest thing about this study is that it appears to contradict itself – at least at first glance.

The study “suggests that low-level prenatal mercury exposure [read: small amounts of mercury, not some massive amount] may be associated with a greater risk of ADHD and (emphasis mine) that fish consumption during pregnancy may be associated with a lower risk of these behaviors.”

HUH??

So eating mercury-containing fish during pregnancy might be linked to your child’s development of ADHD. And eating mercury-containing fish during pregnancy might lower your child’s risk of ADHD.

OK, this clearly needs to be laid out in simpler terms.

While mercury exposure during pregnancy may very well be linked to the development of a child’s ADHD, eating fish – in the proper amounts and the right kinds – actually provides nutrients vital to protecting your child’s brain from developing conditions like ADHD (nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids).

So don’t be too quick to stop eating fish during your pregnancy, just know which ones are the safest to eat and which ones should be avoided. To help you with that, here’s a handy round-up of the best and the worst, as provided by the American Pregnancy Association.

• 

  Shark – BAD

  Shark is on the American Pregnancy Association (APA) list of "highest mercury" fish, and it's advised that pregnant women avoid it entirely.
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo: iStockphoto

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#shark-bad
• 

  Swordfish – BAD

  Swordfish is also on the "avoid" list, as it's incredibly high in mercury.
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo: iStockphoto

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#swordfish-bad
• 

  Marlin – BAD

  Stay away from Marlin, which also made the APA's list of "highest mercury."
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo: iStockphoto

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#marlin-bad
• 

  King Mackerel – BAD

  King mackerel is another no-no fish for consumption during pregnancy.
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo: iStockphoto

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#king-mackerel-bad
• 

  Ahi Tuna – BAD

  Ahi tuna is the worst tuna, as far as levels of mercury are concerned. But canned tuna isn't too great either. While ahi tuna falls on the "avoid" list, canned tuna should be limited during pregnancy.
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo: iStockphoto

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#ahi-tuna-bad
• 

  Calamari – GOOD

  Lucky for us, there are quite a few fish on the APA's list of "lowest mercury" and it's safe to eat two 6-ounce servings a week of the following five fish – including calamari.
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo via Flickr: Creative Commons

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#calamari-good
• 

  Tilapia – GOOD

  I'm not the biggest fan of tilapia because of the way in which it's farmed, but it's good to know that it's safe to eat while pregnant!
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo via Flickr: Creative Commons

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#tilapia-good
• 

  Salmon – GOOD

  Super high in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and folate, salmon is also low in mercury – making this fish probably the best of the best for pregnancy.
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo via Flickr: Creative Commons

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#salmon-good
• 

  Haddock – GOOD

  Who doesn't like some good ol' fish and chips? And thanks to haddock's low mercury level, pregnant women don't have to give this dish up for nine months.
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo via Flickr: Creative Commons

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#haddock-good
• 

  Shrimp – GOOD

  Shrimp is really high in cholesterol (roughly 200 mg for 12 pieces), but its saving grace – aside from its deliciousness – is its low mercury level. So eat it up!
  Source: American Pregnancy Association
  Photo via Flickr: Creative Commons

  /pregnancy/mercury-exposure-during-pregnancy-linked-to-adhd-and-the-10-best-worse-fish-for-pregnancy/#shrimp-good

Study Source: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, via EurekAlert

Click here to view the American Pregnancy Association’s full list of mercury levels in fish.

Main Photo: iStockphoto

Read more of Aela’s writing at Two Moms Make A Right

And don’t miss a post!
Follow Aela’s Baby-blog Board on Pinterest
Follow Two Moms Make a Right on Twitter and Facebook

More of Aela on Babble!
10 Ways to Fight Fatigue During the First Trimester
Pregnancy Medical News Weekly Update
10 Protein-packed Veggies to Eat During Pregnancy