A new ruling from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages breastfeeding moms to increase consumption of a variety of fish. The change — in an effort to align Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages for breastfeeding women with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and current infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics — increases the monthly amount of fish available to 30 ounces of a variety of canned fish including light tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel, according to USDA.
Because seafood contributes to optimal health and development of adults and children, the federal government urges women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing to choose 12 ounces (two to four servings) a week of a variety of seafood. The only four fish this special group is recommended to eliminate are shark, tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel, which are rarely eaten or available in the U.S.
“When nursing moms eat seafood, its important nutrients — like brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids — are passed along to their growing babies,” said Jennifer Wilmes, registered dietitian with the National Fisheries Institute (NFI). “The new USDA ruling takes an important step toward increasing access to canned fish — an effortless, healthy and affordable choice for new moms.”
Due in part to confusion and misinformation about this advice, surveys indicate that most consumers do not eat as much seafood as is recommended by health experts. Less than 1 percent of pregnant women and 4 percent of non-pregnant women eat fish at least twice per week.
“The health benefits of fish consumption and a balanced diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding have been firmly established by science,” said NFI President John Connelly, “and now public policy is beginning to echo that science.”
In addition to increasing the amount and variety of fish available to nursing mothers in the WIC program, USDA added other healthful foods such as canned, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and canned beans and peas to packages. According to a 2004 program study, 6 percent of women in the WIC program are considered breastfeeding.
