The benefits of eating salmon during pregnancy

Eat well during pregnancy es essential for the fetus to develop properly throughout the gestation period. All nutrients are important, but some in particular are much more important because of the fundamental role they play in the development of the future baby. Essential fatty acids are one of those very important nutrients.

This is because the body itself cannot synthesize them and as they are necessary for it to perform certain functions, must be obtained through food. This group of nutrients are part of the structure of cell membranes, in addition, they are necessary for the body to synthesize prostagladins, which are involved in many biological processes.

Among the essential fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6, found largely in mammals. These nutrients play a fundamental role in pregnancy, since they intervene in different factors of the development of the fetus, for example:

• Brain development: omega-3 fatty acids promote cognitive and neurological development.
• They intervene in vision development of the future baby.
• Essential for the nervious system.
• The risk of premature birth is reduced: medical studies determine that a large percentage of women who had a premature delivery had low levels of amino acids in the body.
• Lower risk of colds and other infections in the baby: essential amino acids help to strengthen the immune system of the fetus, reducing the risk of colds in the newborn.

Salmon, a natural source of amino acids

The benefits of salmon for the diet of pregnant women are numerous, since it is a fish with large amounts of essential Omega-3 fatty acids. One of the most important advantages of eating salmon in pregnancy is that does not contain mercury, a dangerous substance in pregnancy containing large fish.

In this case, salmon is one of the most recommended omega-3 rich blue fish during pregnancy. Since, being a fish of a smaller size than other blue fish such as swordfish or bluefin tuna, the risk of containing mercury and other heavy metals it is much lower. Avoiding this type of substance is very important, as it can be very dangerous for the development of the fetus.

On the other hand, today most of the salmon consumed are farmed. This further reduces the risk of the fish becoming contaminated with heavy metals such as mercury. Therefore, salmon is one of the most important sources of omega 3 fatty acids that can be consumed during pregnancy.

How to eat salmon during pregnancy

Although the benefits of eating salmon during pregnancy are numerous, you have to be very careful when taking this food. The best way to eat this fish is cooked, grilled or baked in the foil. In any way that it is well cooked, since there is a risk that the fish contains anisakis. To avoid the risk, do not eat smoked salmon or any other type of fish without cooking during your pregnancy.

This includes sushi, a delicacy for lovers of Asian cuisine but a great danger for pregnant women. During pregnancy, all the food eaten must be perfectly clean. Especially those that are consumed raw such as fruits and vegetables. Regarding products of animal origin, either meat or fish the food should always be eaten cooked completely.

Remember that your baby depends on the nutrients that you provide through the food you eat. A balanced and varied diet with foods from all groups it is the best way to ensure your baby the necessary nutrients. Eliminating undesirable products, harmful substances and being careful when consuming some foods, your baby will have a greater chance of growing and developing correctly.