Many women have questions about what is safe and healthy to eat when they’re pregnant. The information about eating fish can be confusing.  The good news is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued new advice regarding fish consumption.

The information is meant for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as well as breastfeeding mothers and parents of young children. The advice will help pregnant women make informed choices when it comes to fish that is healthy and safe to eat, and parents will know what is safe for their children. FDA and EPA partnered to create an easy-to-use chart that sorts 62 types of fish into three categories:

Best Choices (eat two to three servings a week)

Good Choices (eat one serving a week)

Fish to Avoid

Fish in the “Best Choices” category make up nearly 90 percent of fish eaten in the United States . FDA has found that half of pregnant women eat fewer than two ounces of fish a week, far less than the amount recommended in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This new information will help moms and their families be confident in choosing healthy foods. If you are pregnant, I encourage you to follow these guidelines when it comes to eating fish.