Eating fish is known as a healthy alternative to other animal products such as beef and even chicken. However, there are definite concerns about the mercury content that is found in many fish today. This is especially true when it comes to factory farming, so in addition to knowing which fish to avoid, you want to make sure you know exactly where your fish comes from.
However, even then you can't be sure that your fish is safe from additives and chemicals. If you want to limit your exposure to mercury and other harmful risks, then you might want to avoid the following fish altogether, no matter where it comes from.
Swordfish
Eating fish usually means incorporating fatty choices like swordfish, but there is more than just saturated fat to worry about when you choose to consume this species. It is known to carry a high amount of mercury, it is lower in essential fatty acids than other fish species and the fish has usually been dead for weeks by the time consumers purchase it in most cases. Simply put, even if the swordfish didn't pose the risk of contamination of mercury, it certainly doesn't offer enough benefits to consider purchasing.
Mackerel
You want to stay away from this species if you are worried about high intakes of mercury. This fish is considered to be one of the most contaminated species when it comes to mercury. Although there are beneficial aspects of eating fish like mackerel, the high mercury content just isn't worth the risk. You can find other sources for the nutrients you'd be missing out on when avoiding this fish.
Other Species to Investigate
Many fish can contain a high amount of mercury or other additives, so it's important to do your homework when choosing to buy fish of any kind. Believe it or not, even trout can provide an extremely high amount of mercury, depending on where it's caught. Carp, halibut and lobster may even contain too much mercury for your taste.
To limit your risks and to learn about eating fish that is safe, find out where whether the fish you are buying is farm bred or wild, and learn about the risks of mercury for the fish caught in your area. Just because these fish are known to contain such high contents of dangerous mercury, doesn't mean you can't enjoy eating fish in moderation.
Fish You Should Seek
Eating fish doesn't have to be all about the risks. There are some fish that are known to carry minimal risks of mercury while offering a great source of lean protein. These fish also provide an important source of omega 3 fatty acids. If you want the benefits of eating fish without overwhelming risks that go along with it, consider scallops, squid, shrimp, oysters and pollock.
