[jennica]

By coincidence I went vegetarian right before this pregnancy (or it actually coincided with the beginning of the pregnancy). I still take fish oil and had fish once, and I'm vegetarian for ethical reasons so I think fish would be fine based on that, I just don't really ever crave it or anything. But, I am totally craving tuna now! What I wouldn't give for a tuna sandwich with a pickle on the side, or a tuna melt, or a tuna macaroni salad... OMG I WANT TUNA!!!

The problem is twofold. Mercury and BPA. I know I can't eliminate all BPA, but canned foods have some of the highest concentrations. There was a recent study that showed that small amounts of BPA can kill cells on a placenta, so it was theorized would also kill cells in a fetus. Since I read that study, I have eliminated all canned foods except the Eden Orgnanics brand because they don't use BPA's. Then there is the mercury. All tuna has mercury because it a large fish that lives longer. I know that small amounts are supposedly okay, but it still bothers me that I would knowingly put any amount of mercury in body with a growing developing little brain in there.

Anyway, my Mom says I'm being way too OCD (even though she has eliminated canned food herself), and that I don't need to be so diligent when pregnant. Do you think I'm being too OCD, or just playing it safe? Is there any tuna that is mercury free and uncanned? Is there any fish that is safer that might be similar to tuna?

 

[MrsReady2bMama]

I crave tuna like crazy during pregnancy too! I've heard/read it is ok to have small amounts, so I limit myself to one sandwich per week... . Good luck! I'm dying for cold cuts myself - I already told DH he's going to get me a nice big sub to eat afterward

 

[JorgieGirl]

The hype over canned tuna is not as bad as most think.

Here's a few great sites on tuna: http://www.healthytuna.com/health-nu...ntific-studies

http://www.epa.gov/fishadvisories/advice/

"It is also important to stress that how the U.S. regulates mercury in fish is the most stringent in the world. In large fish-consuming countries like Japan, studies find that women and their offspring aren't at risk by exceeding the U.S. regulatory standard. That is because we build in a 10-fold safety factor, meaning that if pregnant women and young children follow the government's advice, they will consume mercury levels that are at least 10 times lower than the lowest level for any known risk."

- Louis Sullivan M.D.
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
President Emeritus, Morehouse School of Medicine
Testimony, Public Media Center vs Triunion Seafoods LLC

 

[MaerynPearl]

I eat tuna out of the pouch rather than the bag... it actually tastes way better.

and having a small amount one time during your pregnancy should not raise your mercury levels to a dangerous amount. Just don't make it a daily thing (or even every few days, you have to give your body time to cleanse that amount before you have more)

light tuna is lower levels of mercury than albacore (sure it doesnt TASTE as good, lol... but it will still relieve your craving)

Or maybe try some salmon?

 

[Homebirth_Mom216]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsReady2bMama I crave tuna like crazy during pregnancy too! I've heard/read it is ok to have small amounts, so I limit myself to one sandwich per week... . Good luck! I'm dying for cold cuts myself - I already told DH he's going to get me a nice big sub to eat afterward

I think that a sub was the very first thing I had DH get me after having my last one.

 

[rootzdawta]

I don't think a small amount of chunk light tuna (in a pouch) would be bad at all. Chunk Light tuna is supposed to carry a lower mercury load than albacore. And in a pouch, you really wouldn't have to worry about the BPA issue.

 

[etsdtm99]

i also crave tuna when pregnant.. with my first, i was a vegetarian for 3 years before i got pregnant and then bam. pregnant, NEED tuna now. not so much with my 2nd or now since i eat meat (usually just chicken) regularly .. with my first, i was in tears by the time i gave in and ate a tuna sandwich .. tuna has a lot of protein i would just limit it to once a week, like others have said.. and try the pouch ..

 

[2sweetboysmom]

What about roasting a whole chicken and diceing/shredding it up and then preparing it like tuna? I throw my kids off with chicken salad prepared like tuna salad all the time.

BTW the thing with chunk light tuna is it is made from a varity of tuna called Skipjack it is a smaller tuna and is harvested younger than Albacore. The Albacore has more time to absorb more mercury.

The pouch sounds like a good idea. Anyone know what plactic the pouch is lined with?

The tuna I am craving is the seared tuna salad at Outback, Ahi, I think.

 

[jennica]

Okay, I think I will take the plunge and get the chunk light tuna in a pouch. The pouch may still have BPA (microwavable food and lots of other packaging does) but probably less than canned - I'll tell myself anyway

So, how many ounces per week? Does anyone know? I'm just wondering because if I make a tuna macaroni salad I might eat off that for a few days, but probably wouldn't exceed one serving of tuna.

 

[jennica]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2sweetboysmom What about roasting a whole chicken and diceing/shredding it up and then preparing it like tuna?

Well, I'm not eating any meat except fish (I know that's not technically a vegetarian, but whatever it's called, that is what I am doing these days with diet). Also, I have no desire to eat chicken, or beef, or pork, or any other fish besides tuna. I'm just having a huge tuna craving.

 

[sharr610]

There are lots of small scale tuna makers that package their stuff in glass jars. Check out gourmet food stores/health food stores and you'll probably find some. Worse case, look online.

 

[MaerynPearl]

according to the mayo clinic, 12 ounces per week (but not all at once) of chunk light

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pre...d-fish/PR00158

 

[MyFour]

I've had serious tuna(seafood) cravings this pregnancy but as others have said, moderation(I only eat chunk light). The baby will be fine.

 

[Cersha]

frankly, I think light tuna tastes better than albacore anyway.

 

[Cersha]

Isn't the inside of the pouch some kind of metal? It's shiny anyway.

 

[MaerynPearl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cersha Isn't the inside of the pouch some kind of metal? It's shiny anyway.

its plastic coated inside.

 

[lunarlady]

I usually go for the pouched wild caught salmon. It is lower in murcury, and the taste is close enough to tuna to satisfy my cravings. I like wild caught because it is a bit higher in some nutrients, although I can't remember what right now (preggo brain!). You have to check that it's wild caught. I think it is chicken of the sea brand. It says right on the package.

 

[Keeta]

Have you tried making any vegetarian variations of tuna? If you google "mock tuna salad" or anything like that you should get 1000 recipes for tuna salad that will use coarsley mashed chickpeas or mashed tempeh for the tuna. The chickpea variation is my favorite! I can eat a whole batch by myself. I pretty much just drain, rinse and mash the chickpeas coarsley (cook from scratch to avoid the BPA) - you don't want it to be too smooth like hummus or anything - and then doctor it however you would normally fix your tuna salad - mayo, relish, mustard, dill, veggies, etc. Some kelp powder can add a fishy-ish taste to it, too (and has good vitamins and minerals in it!)

 

[artemis33]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharr610 There are lots of small scale tuna makers that package their stuff in glass jars. Check out gourmet food stores/health food stores and you'll probably find some. Worse case, look online.

I was going to suggest this as well. I tuna and salmon in small glass jars in fancier grocery stores. It is expensive, but since you will only be eating it occasionally it is likely worth it!

I eat tuna occasionally if I am craving it - I get the light tuna packed in olive oil. Still in a can, but I, too, avoid almost all canned goods (still use some tomatoes and coconut milk) so I know I'm not getting much BPA exposure in general and think it is ok now and then. (of course I'd prefer it if they'd stop putting the stuff in the darned cans but that is another story

)

 

[jennica]

sharr610,

I've never seen it anywhere in glass jars, but I'll have to search around a bit. There is still some BPA under the lids of glass jars, but that is far less exposure than the entire lining of a can being covered in it.

MaerynPearl

12 ounces, great! Maybe I can split that up into a couple meals.

lunarlady

I didn't know they had wild caught salmon in a pouch. I will have to look for that. I know salmon is supposed to be one of the healthiest fish to eat. Maybe after I have some tuna to feed my craving, I'll try having salmon the next time.

Keeta

I'll have to think about that. I haven't been too adventurous yet with the vegetarian cooking (since becoming a vegetarian coincided with pregnancy sickness). But now that I'm in the second trimester and not too sick anymore I'll maybe have to try some of this stuff.

artemis33

Did you know that canned tomatoes are the worst type of canned food to buy? The acid in the tomatoes pulls the chemicals out of the can linings and there are much higher concentrations in tomatoes. I bought a really nifty chopper and have been just buying fresh tomatoes and chopping them up to the right consistency. It doesn't work for paste, but for everything else I can get close.