Most of these foods are safe, and should be part of a healthy pregnancy diet. A pregnant woman should be aware of these risks, so she can choose the safest foods to nourish herself and her baby. Most fish from grocery stores and restaurants are safe to eat during preg-nancy.
Fish provides plenty of protein and vitamins, and is low in fat.
Forthese reasons, most types of fish are good choices for a healthy diet. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women or women who could become pregnant eat no more than one meal a month of swordfish or shark, which can contain high levels of mercury. Mercury is a metal that is present naturally in the environment. While trace amounts of mercury are present in many types of fish, it becomes most concentrated in large predatory fish such as swordfish and shark. In more severe cases, cerebral palsy, seizures and mental retardation may result.