Do you eat fish?

[Ladybug]

Do you think the benefits of eating fish still outweigh the risks? I have a couple of pediatrician friends--non-alarmist types--that are finishing their MPHs and said that they can't even look at fish again after their courses. I keep reading more about the neurodevelopmental effects and wonder if we should even risk it anymore. I've cut out all the big fish offenders. I eat salmon once a week in sushi (nigiri). The kids will eat fish sticks (pollack fillets) once or twice a week, canned tuna every blue moon in a protein crunch.

[scrub-jay]

We.love.fish. I'm finishing up my MPH too and I still think the risk is worth it. We choose fish to avoid swordfish and tuna, but generally the research indicates the benefit outweighs the risks.

[Michele]

What are the risks? Mercury? Parasites?

[Deebs]

I have my MPH and think, in most cases, the risks are worth it. That said, I'm so careful with any meat product with where I buy it and what it is. My kids aren't big fish fans (I can't blame them - I hated it until I was an adult), so I guess my decision is mainly for myself. DHs MPH is in Environmental and Occupational Health, so more on point, and he still eats fin as well.

[Deebs]

Fish, not fin (although I guess it still applies). Autocorrect makes me crazy!

[SoonerTexan]

We love fish. Besides heavy metals, what are the risks and the recommendations?

[v-girl]

What are Catholics supposed to eat on Fridays during Lent if they don't eat fish? We love fish. DH and I use K as our excuse to eat fish sticks. We're really 5 year olds. LOL

[diggitydot]

We all love fish, particularly salmon. We eat in as frequently as we can get our hands on wild caught pacific salmon or NW river trout.

[Deebs]

Mercury, dioxins, PCBs, worms, and parasites are the big worries. Harvard school of Public Health is frequently reassessing risk/benefit on this issue and still says the benefits are much greater Han risks, but to avoid high mercury fish.

[samssugarmomma]

We love tilapia in our house. And shrimp - although I guess that isn't "fish" per se. I also love tuna. I get it in the pouches so that I don't have to drain it.

[Ladybug]

See, my mom sends me articles like this that freak me out. The today show has been hitting on this topic this week too. I realize it's not only about fish, but I'm very curious to hear what our MPH minds have to say. It makes me anxious.

http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.p.../article/6162/

[Pollyanna]

I think the benefits still outway the risks and remember, The Today Show (and other morning shows) is entertainment tv, not to be confused with actual factual information.

Our kiddos are not huge fish fans. Some like salmon, some tilapia and some tuna (of course they couldn't all like the same fish, lol).

[ides]

We eat fish. I'm fairly picky though. Cod, salmon, red snapper & shrimp.

[GrayMatterWife]

I absolutely love fish. As long as it is (1) cooked--no sushi, and (2) cooked somewhere else (I hate the lingering smell of fish in my house).

[weeniegeniewife]

Sushi is usually cooked fish (crab, salmon, etc), sashimi is raw. I'll do sushi but not sashimi. I once dated a guy who ate tuna and steak tartar. Grossed me out!!

GMW, I don't like the lingering smell of fish in my house either!