You’ve got a new addiction. No, it’s not cigarettes or alcohol. And it’s certainly not those zesty nacho chips that have been sitting in your pantry. It’s eating healthy. If you’re like the millions of other people resolving to lose weight in 2009, you’re probably browsing the aisles of the grocery store with care.

But if you’re concerned about your fertility, you should browse these aisles with a more critical eye.

Fish: Healthy Yet…Dangerous?

We know fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of nutrients. They are chocked full of antioxidants. But at the same time, there are other heart healthy foods that can actually help you lose weight and have more energy. Fish is one of those foods. Fish and shellfish are an excellent source of potassium, amino acids, and fiber. Fish also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the risk of heart disease. Add in the fact that it is low in calories, fat, and cholesterol, and fish may seem like the perfect food to add to your New Year’s diet repertoire.

But did you know that fish can actually hurt women, affect fertility, and hurt your chances of having a healthy baby? If you’re planning to become pregnant, you may not want too eat fish in large quantities. Fish contains mercury, which when consumed, can affect the female body. Mercury gets into your reproductive system and can affect your chances of conceiving. If you consume large amounts of fish prior to getting pregnant, the mercury can get into your system and hurt your reproductive system or your developing baby.

It’s best to stop eating fish or limit your intake when you get pregnant.

High Amounts of Mercury

Mercury levels in fish get into your internal organs and bloodstream, when consumed. When you’re pregnant, your baby processes and eats all nutrients you consume, either through your bloodstream or the placenta. The placenta is a source of nourishment for your baby. So if you’re eating large amounts of fish, your baby is, too.

Consuming high amounts of mercury can increase your chances of having a baby with neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are genetic or physical abnormalities that develop in the womb, when the mother is exposed to toxic chemicals. Such chemicals can be found in mercury and some antiepileptic medications such as Carbemazepime, the chemical substance for Tegretol.

If you’re breastfeeding, it is wise to avoid eating fish, as the same thing can happen. Mercury from the fish enters your blood stream and makes its way into your system and eventually into your breast milk. The mercury, in turn, is consumed by your baby through the milk and is processed through his bloodstream. This can affect physical and mental development.

If you consume large amounts of fish, you are putting your body and your future baby at risk. While omega-3 fatty acids are great for your body and help prevent a number of diseases, it is best to get antioxidants from other sources, such as fruits and vegetables.

Fish is low in fat and high in a number of nutrients your body needs, but is it worth the risk affecting your fertility and more importantly, your unborn child? Your chances of having a healthy baby can be as high as 94 percent in a normal pregnancy, if you’re taking the right precautions—meaning you’re eating healthy and avoiding harmful substances, such as alcohol and tobacco.

The thing to keep in perspective, though, is that you are what you eat, and your baby is a part of you for nine months. Taking care of yourself means taking care of your baby. And if giving up fish will give your baby the best possible chance of being healthy, then it’s a small sacrifice to make.

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