Many new moms choose to eat fish, but not all may know which are the healthiest choices.

More than three-fourths of new Minnesota mothers eat fish at least once a month, but they may not always be eating the fish that are healthiest for them, according to a recent study by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

A survey of 1,500 Minnesota women who had given birth in May of 2004 revealed that 78 percent ate fish at least once a month. Few of the women surveyed had a clear understanding of which fish contain the most mercury, which can be harmful to mothers and their babies.

While over 50 percent of the women knew that mercury is highest in older fish, just 13 percent of the women surveyed knew that mercury is in the meat of the fish rather than in the fat or other parts of the fish. Only 32 percent knew fish that eat other fish are higher in mercury.

The women reported eating both locally-caught and commercial fish. The survey revealed that canned tuna was the most popular type of fish consumed, with 70 percent of respondents saying they eat canned tuna. Thirty-seven percent reported eating locally-caught fish.

“We want Minnesota mothers, as well as all Minnesotans, to eat fish,” said Dianne Mandernach, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. “Fish can be an important part of a balanced, healthy diet, especially for pregnant women and women of childbearing age. The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are important in fetal development. However, we want people who eat fish to be aware that contaminants in fish do pose some risks. That’s why we update, publish and distribute each spring our fish consumption advisory and other materials.”

The department provides fish consumption advice in several different formats, all of which provide guidelines on how much fish people can safely consume while minimizing their risks from contaminants. General statewide consumption guidelines are available online at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/index.html and in the form of an eight-page brochure, “Eat Fish Often?” The advisory contains guidelines for both sport-caught and commercial fish. Generally, the smaller the fish the safer, but some species tend to accumulate more contaminants than others.

A separate publication provides additional guidelines for women of child-bearing age and children. “An Expectant Mother’s Guide to Eating Minnesota Fish” is available in both English and Spanish. In addition to being available online, the mothers’ guide brochure is distributed through health care providers, local public health agencies, WIC clinics and other organizations.

Last year, MDH distributed over 70,000 copies of the Expectant Mother’s Guide brochure. Over 50 percent of those copies were distributed through healthcare providers. Approximately 37 percent of women in the survey had seen the mother’s guide, and of those, 68 percent had seen it primarily through their obstetrician-gynecologist’s office.

“That tells me that women are more likely to obtain our brochures at OB clinics than other sources,” Mandernach said. “We are looking for additional healthcare providers and communities with whom to partner to reach new and expectant mothers. We also need to continue to find innovative ways to reach all those Minnesotans who consume fish often.”

Most nutritionists agree that fish are an excellent food source, high in protein, vitamins and minerals and low in saturated fat. Studies have shown that eating fish may help prevent heart disease in adults. However, even fish should be eaten in moderation, because any fish could contain harmful chemicals, such as mercury or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

For most people, one to two meals of fish per week are generally considered optimal for balancing the health benefits and the health risks from contaminants in fish. “Choosing which fish to eat for those meals is important to minimize exposure to mercury and other chemicals in fish,” said Patricia McCann, an environmental scientist for MDH who analyzes data on both Minnesota-caught and commercial fish. “Following the MDH fish consumption guidelines keeps your exposure to a safe level,” McCann said.

Besides the general guidelines, more detailed, site-specific recommendations are available on the MDH Web site at www.health.state.mn.us/index.html or by contacting MDH at (651) 215-0950 or 1-800-657-3908.

Detailed recommendations are available in the Lake Survey Reports produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Lake Survey Reports are available at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

The mother’s guide can be found online at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/forms/index.html.