Fish: Weekly, Monthy or Never at All?

The following lists are from this month's RealSimple magazine. What a great resource!

With all the press lately about farmed fish vs. wild, mercury contamination, etc., it's nice to have a comprehensive list of which fish are cool to eat, and how often it's safe to eat them. The info below was compiled by a marine scientist based on mercury contamination levels and the method by which the fish were caught or farmed. I have condensed the first lists based upon what is most common to us here in Dallas, however I have transcribed the "Try to Avoid" list in its entirety. All info can be found at www.realsimple.com/fishguide

This is a subject that I've written about in the past, both here on the blog and in the newspaper. It's becoming more and more important to pay attention to this subject - both for our health and for the sake of the environment.

Safe to eat Twice a Week:

Catfish (U.S.), Clams (farmed), Dungeoness and Stone Crab, Mussels (farmed), Salmon (wild Alaskan), Bay Scallops (farmed), Shrimp (U.S. farmed), Striped Bass (farmed), Tilapia (U.S.), Rainbow Trout (farmed)

Once a Week:

Halibut (Pacific), Tuna - Albacore white, canned or fresh (U.S. or Canada)*

Once a Month:

Catfish (Vietnam), Clams (wild), Cod (Pacific), Blue Crab*, King Crab (U.S.), Snow Crab, Flounder and Sole (Pacific), Lobster (American/Maine), Mahimahi, Salmon (wild CA, OR, WA), Sea Scallops (New England or Canada), Shrimp - Northern (U.S. or Canada), Shrimp (wild U.S.), Squid, Swordfish (U.S.)*, Tilapia (Latin America), Tuna - albacore white canned (imported)*, Tuna - light canned, Yellowfin Tuna or Ahi (U.S.)*

Try to Avoid:

Caviar (Imported wild), Chilean Sea Bass*, Cod (Atlantic), King Crab (Imported), Crawfish (China), Flounder and Sole (Atlantic), Grouper*, Haddock, Halibut (Atlantic), Monkfish, Orange Roughy*, Rockfish (Pacific), Salmon (farmed or Atlantic), Shark*, Shrimp and Prawns (imported), Skate, Red Snapper, Swordfish (imported)*, Tilapia (Asia), Bluefin Tuna*, Yellowfin Tuna or Ahi (imported)*

*Because this fish is high in mercury or other contiminants, those who are pregnant, nursing, of child-bearing age or feeding young children should avoid it entirely. (RealSimple Magazine)