Can Pregnant Women Eat Sushi: Factors to Consider Before Digging Into It

pregnant women eat sushi while pregnant food

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Mar 28, 04:50 am

Photo: (Photo : Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Sushi during pregnancy may seem unique, but it can be safe when approached correctly. Additionally, consuming fish like salmon offers various health advantages for anticipating moms, although caution should be exercised concerning its preparation and quantity.

Before fulfilling cravings with shrimp tempura and California rolls featuring imitation crab, it's essential to recognize all aspects of gestation and sushi intake.

Is Sushi Safe for Pregnant Women?

While eating sushi isn't entirely restricted during pregnancy, Jennifer Messer, MS, RD, advises that it's crucial to guarantee that the fish is carefully cooked. Raw or undercooked fish should be avoided because they may contain unsafe bacteria and parasites that pose a danger to both mother and baby.

Equally significant is being mindful of the kinds of fish used in sushi, as some variations contain elevated mercury levels, which can be damaging to well-being. Messer advises choosing low-mercury choices like skipjack tuna and salmon, which are considered safe for consumption.

Types of Sushi are Appropriate for Pregnant Women

Messer suggests choosing sushi rolls made with fully cooked fish or vegetables. Here are a few choices she recommends: little in mercury and cooked, making them safe and enticing for pregnant females.

Cooked Salmon Roll: This roll, commonly attributed to cooked salmon, cucumber, and avocado, is rich in significant omega-3 fatty acids, making it a safe option for moms. However, it's suggested to check with the restaurant that the ingredients are correctly cooked and safe for intake.

Cooked Shrimp Roll: Made with cooked shrimp, cucumber, and vegetables, this sushi roll is another gestation-secure choice.
Crab Roll: Choose rolls with imitation crabmeat, such as those made with pollock, to lessen mercury intake during gestation.
Cooked Eel Roll: When perfectly cooked, eel sushi rolls are a flavorful and safe option for anticipating moms.
Tempura Roll: Tempura sushi rolls containing cooked vegetables like sweet potato or asparagus are also secure for gestation.

Considerations When Eating Sushi During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, while seafood offers advantages for fetal brain growth, it's important to prevent raw fish in sushi due to probable dangers.

Making safe choices like opting for fully cooked sushi and monitoring fish intake can prevent endangering the baby. Raw or undercooked sushi poses a danger of listeria infection, specifically risky for pregnant women and newborns.

Furthermore, mercury contamination in fish remains a concern, with pregnant females suggesting consuming low-mercury choices like cooked crab, salmon, or lobster to prevent unfavorable effects on fetal growth.

Certain kinds of fish, such as swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and bigeye tuna, are cautioned contrary to the Food and Drug Administration during gestation due to their huge mercury content.

While perfectly cooked sushi is alleged secure, the American College of Obstetricians suggested limiting seafood intake to two to three portions (8 to 12 ounces) per week during gestation to guarantee a varied diet and lessen exposure to high-mercury fish. Additionally, for those who like tuna, it's suggested to eat fish like albacore tuna no more than once a week, in portions of six ounces or less.

If craving sushi during pregnancy, it's suggested to prevent picking up raw rolls from any random establishment. There are real risks related to the intake of certain kinds of sushi while gestation, posing a danger to both your health and the well-being of your unborn child.

However, this doesn't mean you must completely give up sushi during pregnancy. Instead, choose cooked variation with decreased mercury levels and exercise caution when selecting sushi rolls.