Food - Drink
Why The FDA Calls Tilapia One Of The Best Fish To Eat
By KATHERINE BECK
Fish is a healthy protein that makes for a great part of your diet, as it contains healthy fats plus key nutrients and vitamins. Omega-6 fatty acids in fish can also help with a variety of health conditions, and the FDA categorizes tilapia — one of the most popular kinds of seafood in the U.S. — as the best kind of fish to eat.
While tilapia has many nutritional benefits, the reason the FDA claims it’s “the best” is due to its low mercury content. This is especially important for pregnant women and young children, who should never consume an excess of mercury; however, too much fish in general is not a good thing for any group of consumers.
Per the FDA, adults should eat at least 8 ounces (oz.) of seafood per week based on a 2,000-calorie diet, while women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can eat 8 to 12 oz. of low-mercury fish per week. For children, consumption depends on age — an ounce a week for ages 1 to 3, 2 oz. for ages 4 to 7, 3 oz. for ages 8 to 10, and 4 oz. at age 11.