Can You Eat Sushi While Pregnant?
As we know, fish is among the foods with some restriction in pregnancy. Therefore, when it comes to a raw presentation, caution must be greater. Dr. Jorge Sandoval explains to us what are the considerations that we must have in these cases.
Are there risks with sushi?
The preparation of sushi is very varied. There are countless recipes with similar characteristics and largely the same ingredients. Sushi is not simply raw fish, its versions can vary drastically, to the point of not even containing fish.
However, there is a very real chance that an assorted sushi tray will contain at least one piece of fish. Perhaps we will find some seafood or other products with intense flavor such as wasabi (very spicy Japanese seasoning). Dr. Sandoval states that the danger of consuming foods such as fish without preservation or cooking is that they can accumulate bacteria.
Bacteria or microbes accumulated in food can cause severe food poisoning. For pregnant women, complications from food poisoning can be more serious.
“For a long time there have been infections associated with the consumption of raw fish, sardines or tuna, but sushi, being a raw food and most consumed in many parts of the world, has a greater possibility of transmitting some types of infections …”
-Jorge Sandoval-
Despite these considerations, the specialist affirms that eating sushi is totally healthy and safe if all hygiene measures are taken into account. In addition, it is very important to choose the ingredients correctly. Pregnant women may be more sensitive to some particular foods, therefore, we can choose a more appropriate version of sushi.
Why is fish risky for pregnant women?
Some fish are recommended to pregnant women due to their many properties. However, these must be adequately prepared to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms.
For example, fish such as trout or salmon may contain parasites such as diphyllobothrium or anisakis. The latter is related to the appearance of diseases such as anisakiasis, which causes the invasion of the walls of the stomach and intestine with this parasite. These varieties of fish are the most used for sushi, therefore it is preferable to avoid them. Just as a food poisoning caused by toxoplasmosis can also be a danger for the pregnant woman.
Pregnant women should be careful with everything they eat, as they want to reduce the risk of infections to the placenta. For this reason, raw foods should be especially controlled.
Freezing for at least two days or cooking at 60 ° in some cases destroys most of the microorganisms present in fish or other foods. Consequently, the way of preparation and the preservation of the ingredients to prepare sushi are decisive to establish its safety.
On the other hand, sushi prepared with fish at the right temperature can be safe for pregnant women to eat. That is, depending on the place where we take this dish, there should be no greater risks.
Only fish chilled at high temperatures may be safe to eat. However, there is a belief that lemon kills bacteria and cooks the product, but this is not entirely true.
Recommendations for eating sushi in pregnancy
Treating ourselves to a plate of sushi shouldn’t be banned in pregnancy. As we have already said, it is necessary to take precautions regarding the consumption of raw fish. However, some recommendations prevail before preparing or buying sushi, among these we have the following:
- Choose recipes that contain cooked fish
- Avoid those presentations that contain raw red meat and fish eggs
- Make sure your plate actually contains the ingredients you asked for. Don’t eat blind assuming they brought you what you ordered
- Try to eat them with the least amount of exotic seasonings (wasabi, fish sauces, extra strong soy)
- Choose to order tempura sushi dishes (battered in tempura and fried)
- Get creative and prepare a plate of sushi at home. You will be surprised how easy it is to make this meal with our own ingredients and personal touch.
If you are not sure that you will take the best option, it is best to pass. Nothing will happen by not eating sushi during pregnancy, in which case the risk could outweigh the benefits. Although most restaurants are cautious with these products, if we have doubts, it is better not to risk it. Sushi as such is not dangerous, but with fish it is preferable to be more careful.
