Eating Raw Sushi Tuna and Salmon?

Question

In bout 9 weeks of pregnancy, I've been eating sushi (raw tuna and salmon). I know that they are good as they contain omega 3. But besides that, any harm / bad effect towards the baby / body?

Answer 1

In North America, doctors often suggest that pregnant women refrain from eating sushi due to the risks of parasitic and bacterial contamination, both of which can have harmful effects on a developing fetus. As to eating the cooked items, the basic answer is that if you are making the sushi yourself, it should be safe, but you may not be any safer eating california roll in a restaurant than eating the raw tuna there.

The problem is cross contamination. If any contaminated fish is cut with the same knife, or placed on the same surface as your california roll, then your cooked roll will then become contaminated. My wife and I struggled with this issue during her pregnancies and found two solutions. The first was to simply ask the itamae (sushi chef) to use a clean knife and a different surface to make her rolls than the others. We are regulars and were comfortable asking that question, and when told she was pregnant, they were happy to oblige our request. We ate sushi a lot during her pregnancies :)

The second solution would be to make sushi at home. This may seem a daunting task, but is surprisingly fun and easy. In fact, you can find detailed instructions to make sushi at home at:
http://www.sushifaq.com/howtomakesushiathome.htm

You can also fine out more information about sushi safety concerns and health at:
http://sushifaq.com/sushi-and-health.htm

At the Sushi Otaku blog there is a post specifically about the safety of eating sushi while pregnant:
http://sushifaq.com/sushiotaku/2007/02/18/is-sushi-safe-for-pregnant-women/

As to what you might still want to eat, California rolls are an excellent choice, as are other cooked items such as unagi maki (eel rolls), and the various tempura rolls that are often offered (mmmm, shrimp tempura roll). If you are making sushi at home, your options expand greatly and you can make any kind of roll you want, for example, cooking salmon and making you own cooked salmon and avocado rolls (actually quite good, especially when still warm). Use your imagination.

Answer 2

Yep, it may not be treated or kept properly and it can house dangerous bacteria, listeria and other things to make you and/or your growing baby sick. They say, like exercise, if you did it regularly (like multiple times a week) BEFORE you were pregnant than it's not so bad to do WHILE you are pregnant. Women in Japan eat sushi throughout their pregnancies, but agian, it's an every day thing for them. You still run the risk of getting sick and possibly miscarrying... I'm not a doctor but this is the information I've gotten from doctors. Ask yours to see what he/she has to say about your particular case.

Answer 3

My doctor said it was ok to eat sushi, but to do it only in moderation. Some fish have high levels of mercury. Your doctor can give you a list of those that have the highest mercury counts and you must stay away from those.

Answer 4

Have you tried Eating for Energy (120 raw food diet recipes) method? Get right here : http://StayEatingRaw.com/DIY . This is able to extremely manage one and all!

Answer 5

Ya as she said(^) only eat some not be eating it everyday. But other than that its good for the baby!

Answer 6

it is fine..just eat it in moderation..my ob told me about 6oz a week ...good luck and congrats..