Update on Pregnancy and Eating Carbs, Fish

An upcoming study in the August issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher maternal dietary glycemic index and glycemic load in early pregnancy are associated with greater risk of obesity in childhood. Grain carbohydrates and added sugars are the foods most indicated for high GI and GL.

FDA, along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), issued a draft updated advice on fish consumption to include a recommended minimum amount of low-mercury fish for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or may become pregnant, as well as young children.

FDA and EPA previously recommended maximum amounts of fish that these groups should consume, but had not recommended a minimum amount. However, the importance of appropriate amounts of fish in the diets of pregnant and breastfeeding women, and young children is undeniable. All we can say is, "it's about time".

Choices lower in mercury include some of the most commonly eaten fish, such as shrimp, pollock, salmon, canned light tuna, tilapia, catfish and cod.