Pregnant women can eat sushi? What are the risks? Which ones to choose?

A question that many women have is about the consumption of sushi during pregnancy. Can pregnant women really not eat sushi? What are the risks? Are there specific types of sushi that pregnant women can eat?

We also recommend reading our article: Pregnancy in Japan!

Why can’t pregnant women eat sushi?

Sushi is a delicious, healthy, and popular food. But pregnant women are often advised to avoid it. Why does this happen?

The main reason is that sushi can be contaminated with bacteria and parasites that can cause food poisoning. Some of these bacteria and parasites can be very harmful to pregnant women and their babies.

Raw fish can also contain mercury, which can be harmful to both the mother and the developing baby. Therefore, it is best to completely avoid sushi made with raw fish during pregnancy.

However, there are some types of sushi that are safe for pregnant women to eat. These include sushi made with cooked fish or seafood, as well as vegetarian sushi. So, if you are craving sushi during pregnancy, be sure to choose one of these options.

The care that pregnant women take with sushi is the same as with any other type of street food, undercooked meats, or different foods. So, even if the dish in question contains fried fish, make sure it is well-cooked.

What are the risks of eating raw fish?

The high percentage of mercury present in fresh salmon and tuna can affect the central nervous system of the fetus. It is not recommended to eat more than 2 pieces per week (170g).

The risks related to parasites are the same for those who are not pregnant. If you are afraid to eat sushi due to salmonella or another parasite, know that such diseases do not pass to the fetus, they only cause discomfort to the mother who is weaker due to pregnancy.

Raw fish (sushi) does not transmit toxoplasmosis – the disease is transmitted only by raw or undercooked meat. Avoid eating sushi in barbecue restaurants where the sushi knife may have come into contact with raw meat.

The greatest risks regarding pregnancy and sushi are from mercury; the rest may only cause discomfort to the mother who is weaker. The risk of getting parasites will be the same, regardless of whether one is pregnant or not.

Wasabi Strong Root – Some people think that eating wasabi will protect our body from some bacteria, but, in fact, pregnant women cannot eat wasabi as it can also be harmful.

What types of sushi can pregnant women eat?

First of all, you need to make sure that the sushi you are eating is made with fresh, high-quality fish. This means that the fish should come from reputable suppliers.

Sushi is not just raw fish; most of the time it is anything wrapped in nori seaweed or something else. In a way, when eating sushi, we don’t even taste the fish; the combination of ingredients makes the dish juicy.

During pregnancy, women can eat any sushi that does not contain raw fish, such as hot Philadelphia rolls, or some that have fruits or vegetables. There are hundreds of options.

Smoked and refrigerated seafood should also be avoided, as there is a risk of listeria. The FDA recommends that fish be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

We also recommend reading:

• 130 Types of Sushi – Urumaki, Hossomaki, Nigiri
• Temaki – Sushi in the shape of a cone
• Sushi Restaurants in Japan – How to eat?

Can pregnant women eat ceviche?

Ceviche is one of the most popular dishes in Japanese restaurants, even though its origin is not Japanese. Some may find it safe to eat ceviche, due to the fact that the fish cooks in the lime juice.

The acid present in lime cooks and can kill most bacteria in fish. Still, some caution may be necessary as one may not know how the ceviche is prepared.

Even so, be careful. Marinating raw fish in citrus juice or vinegar, as in ceviche, does not kill all bacteria and parasites. Ceviche can stay in the marinade longer, making it a bit safer, but be cautious with dishes like Tataki and Carpaccio.

Fish that contain mercury

The fish below should be avoided by pregnant women due to mercury content:

• Shark.
• Swordfish.
• Mackerel.
• Tilefish.
• Bigeye tuna (found in sushi)
• Marlin.
• Clockfish.