Pregnancy food checker · United States
Can I eat tuna while pregnant?
Not all tuna belongs in the same weekly plan. Read the type on the label first, then think about the other fish and shellfish you will eat that week.
Short answer
Choose tuna by type: canned light is a Best Choice; albacore/white and yellowfin are Good Choices; avoid bigeye. Count all fish in your weekly plan and avoid raw tuna during pregnancy.
What to check before eating
- Is it canned light, albacore/white, yellowfin or bigeye?
- How much fish and shellfish have you already eaten this week?
- Is the tuna fully cooked, and how was the finished meal stored?
How to plan a tuna meal
Read the tuna identity
Look for the tuna type on the label or ask the supplier. White tuna means albacore; do not assume every can is canned light. Avoid bigeye even if it will be cooked.
Guidance sources: FDA [1]
Fit it into the whole week
Plan 2–3 total servings from Best Choices, or 1 from Good Choices with no other fish that week. The adult reference is 4 oz before cooking; a can is not automatically one serving.
Guidance sources: FDA [1]
Check the preparation separately
Avoid raw or undercooked tuna. Cook fresh fish to 145°F (63°C). For canned tuna, follow opening and refrigeration instructions, and check the other ingredients in sandwiches or salads.
Guidance sources: FDA [2], FDA [3]
Continue reading: Can I eat sushi while pregnant?
Tuna types at a glance
Find your tuna in the table, then count it with the rest of the week’s fish and shellfish. The weekly amounts are a total, not a separate allowance for each type.
| Tuna identity | FDA/EPA category | Weekly planning |
|---|---|---|
| Canned light tuna | Best Choice | 2–3 total servings from Best Choices, with variety; count tuna alongside other fish and shellfish. Guidance sources: FDA [1] |
| Albacore / white tuna; yellowfin | Good Choice | 1 serving and no other fish that week. Do not add this to the Best Choices weekly plan. Guidance sources: FDA [1] |
| Bigeye | Choice to Avoid | Choose another clearly identified lower-mercury fish; cooking does not change this category. Guidance sources: FDA [1] |
| Only says “tuna” | Not enough information | Ask for the type or choose a clearly labeled option. Do not guess the category from the package shape. Guidance sources: FDA [1] |
One adult serving in the FDA/EPA advice is 4 oz (about 113 g) before cooking. A can’s net weight or its nutrition-label serving may mean something different, so check before counting a whole can as one serving.
Questions about this food
Does one can equal one serving?
No. Can sizes and the amount eaten vary. FDA/EPA uses 4 oz of fish before cooking as the adult reference; a nutrition-label serving is not automatically the same as that guidance serving.
Guidance sources: FDA [1]
Does cooking make bigeye tuna suitable?
No. Bigeye is a type to avoid during pregnancy because of mercury. Cooking does not remove it, so choose a clearly identified lower-mercury fish instead.
Guidance sources: FDA [1]
Background and other choices
What matters for tuna
- Best Choices: 2–3 servings per week in total, choosing a variety of fish.
- Good Choices: 1 serving that week, with no other fish that week.
- An adult serving is 4 oz (about 113 g), measured before cooking.
Safer next steps
- Choose a variety of Best Choices rather than relying only on tuna.
- If the species is unclear, choose a clearly identified lower-mercury option.
- Choose cooked tuna instead of raw tuna sushi or poke.
When to contact a clinician
Contact your prenatal clinician if you ate a food discussed here and feel unwell, have been told you have a higher-risk pregnancy, or need advice for your individual circumstances. Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
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tuna · All foods →Sources and editorial context
The food advice and preparation steps draw on the references below. Follow the links if you would like to read the original guidance in full.
Can I Eat Editorial Team. Published for readers in United States. Content last updated 2026-09-10.
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