Is it Safe to Eat Cod During Pregnancy?

Are you wondering if it's safe to eat cod during pregnancy? The answer is yes! What's more, this fish provides essential nutrients.

Cod is a very tasty fish that can be prepared in a number of ways. It has a significant concentration of essential nutrients and is recommended in the context of a healthy diet. However, today we’re going to tell you if you can eat cod during pregnancy, as the intake of some fish isn’t recommended at this time.

The first thing we want to make clear is that during pregnancy, it’s important to take certain measures at the dietary level. This is in order to avoid alterations in the development of the fetus as well as intoxications that may favor the occurrence of miscarriages.

If you’re a lover of seafood, be sure to read the following article.

The benefits of cod

To begin with, let’s discuss the benefits of cod. This fish is a source of proteins of high biological value, which are key nutrients for the formation of tissues and the maintenance of good health at a muscular level. In addition, during the gestation period, your needs for proteins increase, as evidenced by research published in Nutrients.

In general, it’s best for at least half of the proteins in the diet to be of high biological value. This means that they should contain all the essential amino acids together with a good digestibility score. Those of animal origin meet both conditions, so they’re postulated as the best quality.

At the same time, it’s important to note that cod is a rich source of calcium, a micronutrient that’s part of the bone structure. In fact, its adequate consumption during all stages of life reduces the risk of developing certain diseases in the future, such as osteoporosis. Also, maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D will make a difference.

Cod consumption during pregnancy

Although you need to limit the presence of certain fish during pregnancy, cod isn’t one of them. It can be consumed without any problem, in the same way as sardines, anchovies, and salmon. As a general rule, large fish that accumulate a large amount of mercury in their flesh, such as pike, should be avoided.

However, it’s essential to avoid eating these fish raw. They should always be subjected to an adequate thermal process that guarantees the absence of pathogenic microorganisms inside. It’s important to emphasize that food poisoning at this stage of life could be really problematic for the fetus. It could even affect its future wellbeing.

What’s the best fish to eat during pregnancy?

Cod is an excellent product to include in the diet during pregnancy, as it’s crucial to eat foodstuffs that provide a high dose of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients optimize the development of the central nervous system of the fetus and also reduce the impact of certain heavy metals in the body.

In some situations, doctors even recommend supplementation with these lipids to produce benefits and a better state of health. However, if your diet’s well designed, this shouldn’t be necessary. But oily fish should be included in the diet on a frequent basis. For example, one serving of salmon a day covers the daily requirement of omega-3.

It’s safe to eat cod during pregnancy

As you’ve seen, it’s possible to eat cod during pregnancy without any problem. The health of the mother and the fetus will be safe with the inclusion of this type of food in the diet. The only precaution to be taken is to cook the fish correctly in order to eliminate any microbes.

Finally, keep in mind that if you want to optimize your diet during the gestation period, it’s best to consult a nutrition professional. Ensuring variety and emphasizing the consumption of certain foods will guarantee the development process and help prevent future health problems in the baby. In addition, there are several foods that should be avoided at this time of life and it’s important to know what they are in order to reduce the risks.