During pregnancy, it’s important to get the nutrients your body needs, but it’s also important to know what foods to stay away from. You may have questions about whatâs safe and whatâs not for the health of you and your baby. In this guide to foods and drinks you should never eat while pregnant, we answer questions like, “Can you eat seafood when you’re pregnant?” and “Can you eat deli meat when you’re pregnant?” We also explain which foods can be safely consumed in moderation during pregnancy.
Get our Nutrition During Pregnancy Guide if you want to learn more about what to eat during pregnancy. You may also be wondering how much weight you can gain while you’re pregnant and still be healthy. Based on your body mass index (BMI) before you got pregnant, our Weight Gain Calculator can give you some accepted weight gain ranges. However, your healthcare provider is the best person to talk to about weight gain and the best pregnancy diet for you.
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also comes with a lot of dos and don’ts regarding food. As an expectant mom, you want to make sure you are eating right to support your baby’s growth and development. One of the common pregnancy food questions is whether it is safe to eat sushi, especially shrimp tempura rolls.
In this detailed guide, we will discuss what shrimp tempura roll is, if you can eat it when pregnant, any risks involved, and tips to enjoy it safely. As with any pregnancy diet, it is best to consult your doctor before adding new foods. Let’s dive in!
What is Shrimp Tempura Roll?
Shrimp tempura roll is a type of sushi made with cooked shrimp tempura (battered and deep fried shrimp) and other ingredients like avocado, cucumber, carrot, wrapped in seaweed and sushi rice. It is a popular appetizer or entree at many sushi restaurants.
The key thing to note is that the shrimp inside the roll is cooked, not raw This makes it safer than sushi rolls with raw seafood like tuna or salmon sashimi The frying cooks the shrimp thoroughly and kills any bacteria present.
Is Shrimp Tempura Roll Safe During Pregnancy?
The good news is – yes, shrimp tempura rolls are considered safe to eat when pregnant The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that cooked sushi is safe in pregnancy Since the shrimp is cooked, it reduces the risk of illnesses like food poisoning or parasitic infections.
Some of the top health organizations like ACOG, FDA and NHS agree that cooked seafood is safe in pregnancy. The main concern with raw seafood is the risk of bacteria, parasites and viruses that could make you sick. Cooking it eliminates these risks.
Shrimp is also low in mercury, which can be harmful in pregnancy. So enjoying some crispy shrimp tempura inside your sushi roll is A-okay when pregnant!
Potential Risks of Eating Sushi While Pregnant
While cooked sushi gets the green light, raw seafood does come with some risks in pregnancy:
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Bacteria – Raw fish can contain bacteria like salmonella, Vibrio, listeria and E. coli. These can cause foodborne illnesses.
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Parasites – Raw seafood may contain parasites like tapeworms. They are killed during cooking.
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Mercury – Large fish like tuna have higher mercury levels. Too much mercury intake can harm your baby’s brain development.
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Food Preparation – Cross contamination with raw fish while preparing sushi poses a slight risk.
Though the risks are not extremely high, doctors recommend avoiding raw seafood out of precaution. Sticking to cooked rolls like tempura, California rolls etc. is the best option.
7 Tips to Eat Shrimp Tempura Roll Safely During Pregnancy
Here are some tips to enjoy shrimp tempura rolls while pregnant:
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Choose cooked rolls – Select rolls with cooked seafood like shrimp tempura, crab sticks, smoked salmon etc. Avoid raw fish and shellfish.
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Pick reputable restaurants – Only go to sushi restaurants you trust follow good food safety practices. Check inspection scores if available.
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Avoid high mercury fish – Skip rolls with high mercury varieties like tuna, marlin, swordfish etc. Opt for salmon or shrimp instead.
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Don’t share dishes – Order your own shrimp tempura rolls instead of picking at someone else’s to prevent cross-contamination.
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Check temperature – For takeout sushi, ensure it is served hot or chilled at the right temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
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Limit portions – Stick to 8-12 oz seafood a week, as recommended for pregnant women.
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When in doubt, throw it out – If you notice a strange smell, color or texture, do not eat it. Follow food safety best practices.
Health Benefits of Eating Shrimp in Pregnancy
Shrimp can be a healthy addition to your pregnancy diet. Here are some of its benefits:
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Excellent source of lean protein needed for baby’s growth.
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Provides iron which prevents pregnancy anemia.
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Rich in vitamin B12, selenium and zinc.
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Has anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids like DHA.
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Low mercury levels compared to larger fish.
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Provides iodine from the seaweed wrapping which is important for baby’s brain development.
So savoring some shrimp tempura sushi in moderation can provide vital nutrients during pregnancy. It forms part of a balanced seafood intake.
Other Pregnancy-Safe Sushi Options
If you are bored of just ordering shrimp tempura rolls, there are other creative sushi options to try while pregnant:
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Vegetable rolls – With avocado, cucumber, bell peppers, carrot etc.
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Cooked crab rolls – Use imitation crab meat made from fish like pollock.
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Eel avocado rolls – Grilled eel is safe when cooked.
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Salmon avocado rolls – Opt for cooked smoked salmon.
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California rolls – With crab sticks, avocado and cucumber.
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Shrimp tempura tartare – Diced shrimp in spicy mayo sauce.
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Tamago nigiri – Sweet egg omelet sushi pieces.
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Seaweed salad – Full of healthy iodine and omega-3s.
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Miso soup – Provides probiotics and nutrients.
So you see, avoiding raw fish doesn’t mean sacrificing sushi entirely! You have plenty of safe, tasty options to try.
Homemade Pregnancy-Friendly Sushi
If you love sushi, try making pregnancy-safe varieties at home. This allows you to control the freshness and quality of ingredients.
Follow safe handling practices like washing hands, using separate cutting boards, cleaning knives etc. to prevent cross-contamination.
Some easy homemade sushi rolls you can try are:
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Cooked shrimp tempura rolls.
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Smoked salmon and cream cheese rolls.
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Canned tuna rolls made with well-cooked tuna.
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Veggie rolls with roasted bell peppers and avocado.
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Mango and avocado roll with crabstick pieces.
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Carrot and tofu roll with black or brown rice.
Let your creativity run wild! Making sushi at home can be a fun cooking project.
The Takeaway on Eating Shrimp Tempura Roll During Pregnancy
The verdict is that shrimp tempura roll made with cooked shrimp is safe to eat during pregnancy. The cooked seafood provides nutrition benefits and reduces the risks linked to raw fish consumption. However, it is still wise to take basic precautions – choose reputable restaurants, limit portions, and avoid high mercury varieties.
In addition to shrimp tempura, you can also try creative sushi rolls made with vegetables, smoked salmon, tamago, eel or crab sticks. With so many pregnancy-friendly sushi options, you can still enjoy this cuisine while expecting. Always check with your doctor about any dietary restrictions specific to your pregnancy.
Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol and Caffeinated Beverages While Pregnant?
Besides wondering what you shouldn’t eat while pregnant, you may also be wondering if you should turn down that coffee or glass of wine.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant is best avoided entirely. A higher risk of miscarriage and stillbirth is linked to drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking too much alcohol can even cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Your safest bet is to turn down that glass of wine once you know youâre pregnant.
If you had a few drinks of beer or wine before you found out you were pregnant, it probably won’t hurt you or your baby too badly. Experts say that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, so it’s important that you don’t drink any for the rest of your pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about the effects of any drinks you had before you found out you were pregnant.
Most experts agree that it’s safe to drink less than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day of coffee or other caffeinated drinks. Thatâs one 12-ounce cup of coffee a day. For an idea of what 200 milligrams of caffeine looks like in other drinks, that amount could be 4 cups (8 ounces each) of brewed black tea, 6 cups of brewed green tea, or 4 cups of CO2. Related pregnancy tool.
Can You Eat Meat, Poultry, or Pâtés?
Meat and poultry are healthy and nutritious foods, but make sure you cook all of them all the way through before you eat them. You can use a meat thermometer to guarantee food is fully cooked.
Opt for canned and shelf-stable pâtés rather than refrigerated ones. This helps to avoid foodborne illnesses like listeriosis. Listeriosis is a serious disease that is spread by bacteria in food. It can cause a miscarriage, a stillbirth, or an early delivery. Hot dogs, deli meats, and bacon can also potentially carry the bacteria that causes listeriosis.
If youâre eating bacon, make sure itâs cooked thoroughly. If you can help it, stay away from deli meats and hot dogs while you’re pregnant. If you have to eat them, make sure to heat them to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, or until they start to steam.
Skim milk, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, and other low-fat dairy products can be very helpful in a healthy pregnancy diet. However, you should stay away from raw milk and cheeses while you’re pregnant. These can lead to foodborne illnesses like listeriosis. In this case, it is best to stay away from foods like blue cheese, Brie that hasn’t been pasteurized, feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, and queso blanco.
Like dairy foods, eggs are also highly nutritious, but you should avoid raw and undercooked eggs. Raw eggs can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, which can be risky for anyone, but especially pregnant women.
If you are pregnant, you should stay away from foods that contain raw or partially cooked eggs. This means you should not eat things like raw batter, homemade Hollandaise sauce, Caesar salad dressing, or eggnog.
Eating sushi while pregnant: safe or not?
Can I eat shrimp tempura If I’m Pregnant?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), your weekly fish and shellfish intake should hover around 8 to 12 ounces when you’re pregnant, and a morsel of shrimp tempura can help you on your way to meeting that goal. Watch out for fish with a higher mercury content.
Can pregnant women eat sushi rolls?
In fact, the FDA encourages moms-to-be to eat 8 to 12 ounces of low-mercury fish every week. So those cooked sushi rolls, like tempura? Perfectly fine to eat while pregnant, as long as the fish is low in mercury and has been heated to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you eat tempura sushi?
“Tempura sushi, or fish low in mercury that are cooked to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, are safe to eat,” she says. Some great options are shrimp, black sea bass, and tilapia. Dr. Grover suggests ordering sushi such as shrimp, lobster, or veggie tempura, which are all cooked through. She notes that any type of veggie sushi is safe to eat, too.
How to eat fried shrimp tempura?
You can prepare crispy-fried shrimp tempura first, and cut them into half-an-inch slices. Remember to not over-fry it to avoid a rubbery texture. Then, pair it with some pickled ginger, lettuce, cucumber, and avocados. Roll it. The result? A fantastic rice roll with a rich umami flavor! RELATED: 10 Tastiest Vegetarian Recipes For Kids