Can I Eat Shrimp Cooked in Lime While Pregnant?

Ah, ceviche. It’s true that this citrusy seafood dish tastes great, but is it something you should eat while you’re growing a baby?

Ceviche comes from Peru and is a popular dish in many Latin American countries. In fact, some people eat it every day.

Ceviche during pregnancy is listed by pretty much all doctors as definitely one to avoid while pregnant.

No, it’s not cooked in the traditional sense using heat, and this is where the problem lies.

A lot of lists of foods to avoid while pregnant include raw fish, and ceviche is no different.

Shrimp cooked in lime juice, also known as ceviche, is a popular dish in many Latin American countries. However, when you’re pregnant, ceviche lands firmly on the “do not eat” list – and here’s why.

As an expectant mom, you want to make the best choices for your health and your growing baby’s health. That means being careful about what goes into your body. While ceviche may seem tempting, it contains risks you’ll want to avoid during pregnancy.

What Exactly is Ceviche?

Ceviche is made by “cooking” raw fish or shellfish in citric acid – usually lime or lemon juice. The acid causes changes in the fish’s protein structure, making it turn opaque and firm like cooked fish. However, ceviche is not actually cooked with heat like traditional methods.

The citric acid only affects the surface of the fish, not the inner flesh. So while ceviche may look and taste cooked, it does not effectively kill bacteria or parasites residing within the meat. This is the main reason ceviche is unsafe during pregnancy.

Is Eating Ceviche Risky in Pregnancy?

Yes, eating ceviche in pregnancy carries risks you’ll want to avoid Here’s an overview

Parasites Raw fish commonly contains parasites like worms These live in the flesh even after lime juice preparation
Bacteria: Pathogens like salmonella can resist the acidity of citric juice. Listeria is another harmful bacteria found in raw seafood.
Food poisoning: Pregnant women are at higher risk of foodborne illnesses than the general population due to suppressed immunity. Food poisoning causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.
Harm to baby: Listeria can lead to premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or lifelong disabilities for baby if contracted. Other bacteria can also be passed to baby.

Clearly it’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid ceviche altogether during pregnancy. The risks simply aren’t worth it.

What About Shrimp Cooked in Lime Juice?

Ceviche can be made with shrimp instead of fish. But the same warnings apply – shrimp “cooked” in lime juice is still raw and should not be eaten while pregnant.

The citric acid does not cook the shrimp thoroughly enough to destroy harmful bacteria and parasites that may lurk within. To be safe, all seafood must reach an internal temperature of 145°F to kill dangerous organisms. Lime juice just can’t achieve that.

Healthier Pregnancy Food Choices

While ceviche is off the table for now, there are still great options to enjoy seafood safely during pregnancy:

Fully cooked shrimp: Shrimp that has been thoroughly cooked with heat until opaque, firm and 145°F internally is safe to eat. Opt for boiled, grilled or fried shrimp instead of raw.
Canned seafood: Tuna, salmon, crab and other canned fish products are cooked during the canning process, making them shelf-stable and safe to eat. Rinse before use.
Safe fish: Seafood lower in mercury like salmon, cod, tilapia and shrimp can be cooked and enjoyed in moderation.
Cooked sushi/sashimi: Opt for rolls made with cooked ingredients only, no raw fish. Check that any shellfish is fully cooked.
Shrimp cocktail: Pre-cooked shrimp served chilled in cocktail sauce makes a great appetizer. Ensure it is fully cooked.
Seafood stews/chowders: Simmering seafood in hot liquid ensures it cooks through fully to kill bacteria.

The key is proper cooking. Avoid any raw or undercooked seafood including ceviche and raw shellfish. With some simple modifications, you can still enjoy the flavors of the sea during pregnancy – safely.

Tips for Safely Eating Seafood While Pregnant

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind when eating seafood during pregnancy:

Cook all seafood to an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.
Avoid raw seafood including sushi, sashimi, ceviche, oysters and refrigerated smoked seafood.
Order cooked fish and shellfish when dining out. Avoid raw items on the menu.
Rinse canned seafood before eating to remove excess sodium.
Limit seafood intake to 2-3 servings per week.
Avoid fish high in mercury like swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel.
Purchase seafood from reputable grocery stores and fish markets.
Check local fish advisories before fishing recreationally or eating self-caught seafood.

Can I Eat Ceviche After Pregnancy?

The good news is ceviche can go back on the menu after baby arrives. Once you are no longer pregnant, it is generally safe for most people to occasionally enjoy ceviche and other raw fish dishes.

However, if you have a compromised immune system for any reason, you’ll still want to avoid raw seafood to be on the safe side. Children, elderly and those with chronic illnesses may also wish to avoid raw fish.

For everyone else, ceviche can be enjoyed in moderation post-pregnancy. Just know that any raw fish still carries a slight risk of contamination. So while an occasional ceviche treat is likely fine, it’s best not to make it a daily habit.

Putting Your Health First

Avoiding ceviche and other raw seafood may be difficult when you’re expecting, especially if you enjoy the taste. But protecting your health and your developing baby should always come first during pregnancy.

While you’ll need to forego ceviche for now, you can satisfy cravings with plenty of tasty cooked seafood options. Before long, you’ll be able to indulge in ceviche again after delivering a happy and healthy bundle of joy. Prioritizing safety now means you can both look forward to ceviche in the future!

can i eat shrimp cooked in lime while pregnant

What are the risks of eating ceviche while pregnant?

Here are some risks that you should be aware of if you want to make your own decision about whether or not to eat ceviche while you are pregnant.

Generally speaking, the risks of eating ceviche come down to the presence of nasty parasites and bacteria, like listeria and salmonella, found in raw fish.

Unfortunately for the ceviche-enjoying population, fish that are commonly used in ceviche—like Corvina, tilapia, shrimp, sea bass, cod, and halibut—are highly likely to contain parasites.

Also, pregnant women are at a much higher risk of contracting food poisoning than the general population, thanks to that lowered immune system.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by the bacteria listeria, can present as late as two months after eating infected food and can cause:

Fever
An upset stomach with vomiting and diarrhea
Headaches
Confusion
A stiff neck
Loss of balance.

It can put you at risk of dehydration, and even premature birth, stillbirth, or miscarriage.

If the bacteria gets into your unborn child, it can damage their brain, heart, and kidneys for life, and it could even blind or paralyze them.

Not to completely freak you out, but listeriosis is definitely something to avoid.

Can I eat shrimp cooked in lime while pregnant?

So, ceviche is raw fish or shellfish that has been “cooked” in lime or lemon juice, which changes the way the proteins in the meat are structured.

The acid makes the fish turn opaque and firm, resembling cooked fish, but it’s not actually cooked.

The problem is that “cooking” fish in citrus juice only changes the outside, not the inside, and it doesn’t kill bacteria like heat does.

Common parasites like worms live deep in the flesh of fish, and some bacteria like salmonella are resistant to citric acid, so cooking in lime juice won’t get rid of them.

Can Pregnant Women Eat Shrimp

Can you eat shrimp during pregnancy?

Shrimp is safe to eat during pregnancy. However, it should be well cooked to at least 145ºF (about 62.78ºC) to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Doctors may recommend that people avoid eating some fish and seafood during pregnancy to protect themselves and the fetus from mercury exposure and food poisoning.

Can a pregnant woman eat watermelon?

Watermelon in pregnancy is more than indicated. Watermelon is a very moisturizing fruit, as it is made up of a large amount of water, which improves the slower gut right now. In addition, it is rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, iron, vitamin C and folic acid.

What happens if you eat unrefrigerated shrimp during pregnancy?

As with the consumption of undercooked shrimp, eating unrefrigerated shrimp puts you at risk of foodborne illnesses which, when pregnant, places you at an increased chance of lengthier illness, hospitalization, or even death.

Can pregnant people eat shrimp cooked in a casserole?

Pregnant people can also eat shrimp cooked in a casserole heated to 165 degrees F. However, avoiding other types of refrigerated seafood is essential unless it’s in a cooked dish. Shrimp is safe for most pregnant and breastfeeding people because it is low in mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal that can cross the placenta.