Is it okay to eat sushi while pregnant?

Answer 1

Some types of sushi, such as California rolls (which contain steamed crab) and cooked eel, are fine to eat while you're pregnant. But it's best to avoid eating the kinds that contain raw seafood, such as tuna.

Fresh, raw seafood is potentially risky because it can contain parasites such as tapeworm, which, if they grow large enough, could rob your body of nutrients needed for your growing baby. Freezing and cooking deep-sixes the parasites. For this reason, many Japanese restaurants that specialize in sushi use frozen rather than fresh fish.

But restaurants in the United States aren't required to freeze fish before serving it raw.

Unfortunately, one concern about seafood, raw or cooked, is PCB and chemical contamination. If you want to eat fish during your pregnancy, contact your local health department or office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a list of fish in your area that haven't been contaminated with toxins.

As a general rule, ocean fish such as tuna, sea bass, sole, flounder, and snapper are safer than river and lake varieties. When eating out at any restaurant, order your fish well cooked. Many upscale eateries lightly sear fresh fish on the outside, then serve it rare.

In both the United States and Japan, many more people get sick from eating fish served at home than from eating fish at sushi restaurants.

For seafood safety at home, the Food and Drug Administration has a few tips. According to the FDA's 1997 Food Code, you should cook most seafood to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Farenheit (63 degrees Celsius) for 15 seconds. If you don't have a thermometer, the guidelines listed below can help you to determine whether seafood is done.
• For fish: Slip the point of a sharp knife into the flesh and pull aside. The edges should be opaque and the center slightly translucent with flakes beginning to separate.

• Let the fish stand three to four minutes to finish cooking.

• Shrimp and lobster turn red when cooked; the flesh becomes pearly opaque. Scallops appear milky white or opaque and firm.

• For clams, mussels, and oysters, watch for the point at which their shells open, which indicates that they're done. Throw out those that remain closed after cooking.

• When microwaving seafood, rotate the dish several times to ensure even cooking. After letting the dish stand, check seafood in several spots with a thermometer to see if it's reached the proper temperature.

Answer 2

That is a decision you need to make for yourself. Sushi *may* be contaminated with certain parasites and bacteria. As far as I know the cases of food poisoning from sushi are less that 10 per year in the US. Also I do not believe anything that is found in sushi can cross the placenta, though mom sick isn't great for baby.

So do some research and ask yourself if you think the risks are worth the benefits. Fish obviously being very healthy, sushi being low in fat, and seaweed being VERY good for pregnant women.

Answer 3

That could be a decision you ought to make for your self. Sushi *may* be contaminated with particular parasites and bacteria. So far as i do know the instances of food poisoning from sushi are much less that 10 per year in the USA. Additionally I do not feel something that's located in sushi can cross the placenta, although mother in poor health is not first-class for youngster. So do some research and ask yourself when you think the dangers are worth the advantages. Fish obviously being very healthy, sushi being low in fats, and seaweed being very good for pregnant females.

Answer 4

Sushi can contain Listeria...which is a bacteria...it affects 1 in 80,000 sushi eaters every day...while it will make Mom miserable...it is rarely fatal....but for reasons...i dont quite understand...it can be even more harmful to an unborn baby......if you want to go for sushi...have California roll, vegetarian rolls or cooked shrimp tempura roll (mmmmmmm....) if you arent sure what you re ordering...ask the helpful waitress....to make sure there is NO RAW fish in what you are eating...it is a good point about the high level of mercury as well....i think doctors recommend pregnant women only eat fish once a week or so.....this is all pollution related and not much i guess we can do about it.....

Answer 5

You can eat sushi that has COOKED fish or meats in it. Just avoid the fish pregnant women should avoid, or eat in moderation. I had sushi when i was a month and a half and the doctor told me not to worry about it.

Answer 6

Everything in moderation, but I avoided sushi during my pregnancy, even the veggie rolls. The cold rice could cause a type of food poisoning, which is very bad for baby, and the mercury in some of the seafood could also cause problems.

Answer 7

No raw fish while pregnant, and I know not all sushi contains raw fish even the ones without raw fish are prepared along side ones that do contain it and that just isn't safe. Better safe than sorry!

Answer 8

Sushi is fine in moderation, ask your health care provider for a list of fish that may be a risk! Fish is good though for a babys brain developement, only in moderation!

Answer 9

I don't know whether sushi is ok or not, but I just want to share a nice article, the title is Soft cheese made with raw milk risky in pregnancy, the link is : http://www.baaiidu.com/soft-cheese-made-with-raw-milk-risky-in-pregnancy.php

Hope this help & congrats for your pregnancy.

Answer 10

no. any fish with mercury is bad for baby. Also, raw foods, such as sushi, raw eggs etc are bad... higher risk of food poinsining