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.
Shrimp tempura is a popular appetizer at many sushi restaurants. The shrimp is battered and fried giving it a crispy coating and tender interior. Pregnant women often wonder if this Japanese delicacy is safe to eat during pregnancy. With some key considerations you can continue to enjoy shrimp tempura rolls and other tempura dishes while expecting.
What is Shrimp Tempura?
Shrimp tempura consists of shrimp coated in a light tempura batter and then quickly fried. The batter is made from cornstarch, flour, eggs, and cold water It comes out very thin and crisp Tempura batter seals in the natural juices of the shrimp, keeping it tender when fried.
Popular shrimp tempura dishes include:
- Shrimp tempura rolls – Fried shrimp and cucumber inside seaweed and rice
- Popcorn shrimp – Small bite-size fried shrimp
- Shrimp tempura appetizer – Fried shrimp with dipping sauce
- Vegetable tempura – Assorted veggies like zucchini, sweet potatoes, green beans
Tempura batter can also coat vegetables, fish, chicken and other meats before frying.
Is Shrimp Tempura Cooked?
Yes, shrimp tempura is fully cooked during the frying process. The hot oil rapidly heats the protein to a safe internal temperature.
According to the FDA Food Code, shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F for 15 seconds to be considered safe to eat. The fast frying time of tempura far exceeds this, cooking the shrimp thoroughly.
So while the raw shrimp goes into the batter uncooked, it comes out the fryer piping hot and ready to eat
Is Cooked Shrimp Safe During Pregnancy?
Cooked shrimp is generally considered safe to eat during pregnancy according to organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
The main risks of raw seafood like sushi relate to bacteria and parasites. But properly cooking shrimp eliminates these hazards.
As long as you eat fully cooked shrimp, you can avoid exposing yourself and your baby to foodborne illnesses like listeria, salmonella and toxoplasmosis.
In addition to tempura, other safe ways to cook shrimp include:
- Boiling
- Steaming
- Sautéing
- Grilling
- Baking
So feel confident that cooked shrimp in any form, including shrimp tempura, is perfectly fine to eat during pregnancy!
Nutritional Benefits of Shrimp
Not only is shrimp tempura safe in pregnancy, it also provides important vitamins and minerals for you and your growing baby:
-
Protein – Shrimp is high in protein needed for fetal tissue growth.
-
Iron – Shrimp has heme iron that is more easily absorbed than plant sources. Iron prevents anemia.
-
Zinc and Copper – Shellfish like shrimp provide zinc and copper that are vital for development.
-
Vitamin B12 – Shrimp is high in vitamin B12, which helps form red blood cells and DNA.
-
Selenium – Shrimp provides selenium, an antioxidant that supports your immune system.
-
Choline – Shrimp contains choline to promote your baby’s brain and spinal cord development.
Mercury Levels in Shrimp
Some types of seafood contain high levels of mercury, which can harm fetal neurological development.
Luckily, shrimp is very low in mercury. Eating up to 12 ounces per week is considered safe during pregnancy.
In comparison, seafood high in mercury like swordfish and tilefish should be avoided completely when expecting.
So shrimp tempura rolls make a nutritious addition to your pregnancy diet. You don’t need to limit your intake due to mercury concerns.
Other Tempura Ingredients to Watch For
While shrimp tempura itself is pregnancy-safe, be mindful of the other ingredients mixed into the batter.
For food safety, make sure raw eggs or unpasteurized dairy are not used in the tempura batter. Many restaurants use egg substitutes instead.
Also check that vegetable tempura does not include mushrooms, which fall on the “avoid” list during pregnancy. Beansprouts and green onions should also be cooked thoroughly.
As long as you verify your tempura ingredients, you can dig in without worry!
How Often Can I Eat Shrimp Tempura?
There are no strict limits on how much shrimp tempura you can eat while pregnant. The FDA recommends 8-12 ounces of low mercury seafood per week as part of a balanced diet.
Within these guidelines, shrimp tempura makes a healthy addition to your weekly menus. But be sure to vary your protein sources and not eat fried foods every day.
For the best nutrition, pair shrimp tempura with fresh vegetables, brown rice, avocado, and other prenatal superfoods.
Tips for Ordering Shrimp Tempura
Here are some tips for safely ordering shrimp tempura at restaurants during pregnancy:
-
Ask if raw or pasteurized eggs are used in the batter
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Request shrimp without additional heavy sauces or mayo-based toppings
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Choose cucumber or avocado tempura rolls over ones with higher-mercury fish
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Verify vegetable tempura doesn’t contain mushrooms, sprouts or uncooked onions
-
Opt for brown rice instead of white rice for more nutrients
-
Look for tempura made with sesame oil or olive oil instead of vegetable oils
-
Enjoy with low mercury sashimi like salmon and yellowtail if desired
With a few smart choices, you can satisfy your shrimp tempura craving without worry! It makes the perfect hot and crispy treat during pregnancy.
The Bottom Line
Shrimp tempura rolls and fried shrimp appetizers are a delicious option during pregnancy. The high frying heat kills any bacteria present in raw shrimp. And cooked shrimp provides protein, iron, and other nutrients beneficial for you and your baby’s health.
While skipping raw seafood is smart, cooked preparations like shrimp tempura remain perfectly safe to enjoy. After confirming the ingredient list, dig in and savor this crunchy fried favorite!
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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.
Can Pregnant Women Have Seafood?
Women who are pregnant should eat seafood, but they should be careful about what kind of fish they eat and where it comes from. Seafood that is high in mercury (see list below) can harm your baby’s developing nervous system. To protect your baby’s health, stay away from older, bigger fish that may have higher mercury levels.
To be safe, itâs best to avoid
- shark
- swordfish
- king mackerel
- tile fish
- raw shellfish like oysters and clams.
Check with your state’s health department or the US Environmental Protection Agency for the most up-to-date information on fish caught in your area.
When preparing fish and shellfish, itâs also important that you cook
- Cook the fish until it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit inside and the flakes become cloudy.
- chicken, lobster, and shrimp until they turn milky white.
- clams, mussels, and oysters until the shells open. Throw away those shells that remain closed.
You may also be wondering whether pregnant women can eat sushi. Uncooked fish and shellfish are more likely to have bacteria that can make you sick, so stay away from sushi made with raw fish or shellfish and smoked fish that has been kept in the fridge, like salmon. Good news: you can still eat a lot of sushi while you’re pregnant. For example, you can eat vegetarian sushi or sushi rolls with cooked fish or seafood, like shrimp tempura.
During your pregnancy, you should still eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Just make sure to wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating them to get rid of any bacteria that could be harmful. Vitamin A can be found in large amounts in carrots and leafy greens. Vitamin C can be found in large amounts in strawberries and tomatoes. You could also ask your local grocery store what fruits and vegetables are in season right now. Sometimes you might be able to add something more exotic, like papaya or pineapple.
If you wash most fruits and vegetables properly, they are safe to eat. However, raw sprouts are more likely to make you sick. Sprouts are grown in warm, humid conditions, which is different from most other fresh fruits and vegetables. This is great for bacteria like salmonella, listeria, and E. coli. This is why itâs safest to avoid raw sprouts like alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung beans.
If you do want to consume sprouts, make sure you cook them thoroughly.
For a handy checklist of foods and drinks not to eat during pregnancy, check out the below:
Can I have shrimp tempura while pregnant?
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.
Is shrimp healthy or harmful to health?
Shrimp is a versatile healthy high-protein food option. Shrimp contains moderate amounts of vitamin B12 and selenium while also being low in saturated fat. The concentration of cholesterol in shrimp may present an issue for individuals with type 2 diabetes or those with already unhealthy lipid profiles, but only likely if consumed in excess and in the context of an already unhealthy dietary pattern. Individuals with an allergy to shellfish should avoid shrimp altogether. Long term personal health partly depends on the ongoing health of the environment through sustainable action. Individuals concerned about consuming sustainable shrimp can look for the blue Marine Stewardship Council(MSC) certified stamp on the label.
Can pregnant women eat shrimp?
Yes, pregnant women can, in fact, eat shrimp. That doesn’t mean it should become your go-to daily meal, but it does mean you and baby can benefit from some of the great nutrients in shrimp. Let’s look a little more closely at some of the recommendations for eating shrimp and other seafood during pregnancy, as well as a few safety precautions.
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