Which sushi is safe for pregnancy?

Sushi made with low-mercury cooked seafood, such as eel or shrimp.

California rolls

(imitation crab or crab meat is cooked). Another thing that worries people when it comes to sushi and pregnancy is mercury levels in fish. Eating fish or seafood with high levels of mercury can greatly harm your baby because, in large quantities, it can become toxic to the nervous system.

You should avoid most of the options on a typical sushi menu during pregnancy. Only fully cooked fish or seafood sushi, or vegetarian or vegan sushi, is safe during pregnancy. In addition, cooked or not, some types of fish should be avoided during pregnancy due to their high mercury content. So what can you eat? “Tempura sushi, or low-mercury fish that cooks at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, is safe to eat,” he says.

Some excellent options are shrimp, black bass and tilapia. Grover suggests ordering sushi such as shrimp, lobster, or vegetarian tempura, which cook well. She points out that any type of vegetarian sushi is safe to eat, too. Another problem with sushi is that, when prepared, it is difficult to identify the exact species of fish, especially if it is tuna.

Before you take that information and take it to your favorite sushi restaurant, it's important to know exactly what types of sushi are safe to eat during pregnancy and why. Always contact a healthcare provider or midwife if you have any questions or concerns about eating sushi during pregnancy. The word 'sushi' actually refers to rice, rather than a filling or topping, so saying “sushi isn't safe” is a bit misleading. After so many questions about what type of sushi is OK, whether it should be cooked, and a million more questions from hungry pregnant women (I've heard you), I've put together this ultimate guide to sushi during pregnancy.

Sushi is one of the classics banned during pregnancy, but many people wonder if it is really justified to ban this popular dish, especially since fish has many benefits for your baby's development. My mission is to help expectant mothers enjoy food safely during pregnancy, banishing myths and giving clear real-life examples. And no matter how delicious and beneficial the fish is, you can't eat sushi with fish at every meal because of mercury contamination. The question of whether eating sushi during pregnancy is safe has raised different opinions in the past, and some believe that consuming raw fish from reputable establishments is low-risk.

Eating sushi while pregnant can carry some risks, but thankfully, you can avoid them altogether if you make safe choices. Always make sure freshly cooked sushi rice has cooled down before you put it in the fridge, or you'll increase the temperature in the fridge beyond safety. As long as the sushi filling is fully cooked and you keep track of your total fish intake, you don't have to worry about endangering your baby. However, a California roll, which is one of the most popular sushi rolls, is often made with imitation crab meat.

If you have an open kitchen and you can see how sushi is made (which is quite common), you can see the cleanliness for yourself. To help prevent listeriosis, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women avoid eating sushi made with raw fish, among other foods such as hot dogs, cold cuts, and unpasteurized milk.