Can You Eat Crab Rangoon While Pregnant?

Crab rangoon is a popular appetizer or side dish that you’ll often find at Chinese restaurants. This deep-fried wonton is stuffed with a creamy filling made of crab meat, cream cheese, and various seasonings.

Crab rangoon is delicious, but is it safe to eat during pregnancy?

Many pregnant women wonder if they need to avoid crab rangoon and other seafood while expecting. There’s a lot of confusion over what types of fish and shellfish should be avoided so let’s take a closer look.

The Benefits of Eating Seafood During Pregnancy

Seafood provides many important nutrients that can benefit both mother and baby during pregnancy. Here are some of the top nutrients found in seafood:

• Protein – Supporting fetal growth and development, Fish and shellfish are excellent sources of high-quality protein

• Omega-3 fatty acids – Critical for baby’s brain and eye development Salmon, sardines, shrimp and many types of fish contain omega-3s

• Vitamin B12 – Important for energy production and red blood cell formation. Found primarily in animal foods like fish, shellfish, meat and eggs.

• Vitamin D – Helps build baby’s bones and teeth. Fatty fish like salmon are one of the few natural sources.

• Iodine – Required for proper thyroid function and neurological development. Fish and shellfish are among the best sources.

• Iron – Prevents anemia and aids in transporting oxygen to baby. Shellfish, like clams and oysters, provide a highly absorbable form.

• Selenium – An antioxidant that supports your immune system during pregnancy. Abundant in seafood.

With all of these benefits, it’s clear why seafood is recommended as part of a healthy pregnancy diet. Most health organizations recommend pregnant women eat at least 8 to 12 ounces (225-340 g) of a variety of seafood per week.

Concerns Over Mercury Exposure

So if seafood is so beneficial, why are some types discouraged during pregnancy?

The main concern is exposure to mercury and other contaminants that may be present in certain fish. High levels of mercury have been shown to harm a developing baby’s brain and nervous system.

However, not all seafood contains high levels of mercury. The levels really vary based on the particular species and where it was harvested.

In general, large predatory fish that live a long time tend to accumulate the most mercury. These include fish like:

• Swordfish
• Shark
• King mackerel
• Tilefish
• Bigeye and Ahi tuna

On the other hand, smaller fish and shellfish that are lower on the food chain contain very little mercury. These types are considered safe to eat while pregnant and include:

• Salmon
• Tilapia
• Cod
• Pollock
• Shrimp
• Crab
• Clams
• Oysters
• Scallops

The FDA and EPA have put together an advisory list on types of fish to limit and avoid because of higher mercury levels. This can help guide pregnant women make healthy choices.

Is Crab Rangoon Safe During Pregnancy?

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s get back to the main question – can you eat crab rangoon while pregnant?

The answer is yes, crab rangoon is safe to eat during pregnancy. Here’s why:

• Crab is low in mercury – Small shellfish like crab and shrimp contain very little mercury since they are low on the food chain. The FDA confirms crab is a “best choice” during pregnancy.

• The filling is cooked – Crab rangoon filling is made with a blend of cooked crab meat, cream cheese and seasonings. Thorough cooking helps destroy any bacteria or parasites.

• Frying kills pathogens – The wonton wrappers are deep fried to a golden brown. Frying at high heat kills any potentially harmful microbes.

• Often uses imitation crab – Many restaurants or pre-made versions use imitation crab meat (aka surimi). This is made from pollock or other white fish that are low in mercury.

• Eat in moderation – Since crab rangoon is deep fried, it’s still best consumed in moderation during pregnancy as part of an overall balanced diet. Avoid eating them every day.

While crab rangoon is considered safe, there are some basic precautions pregnant women should still take:

• Make sure any raw seafood, including sushi, is prepared by a reputable source and frozen first to kill parasites. Avoid high-mercury fish like tuna.

• If cooking seafood at home, cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) to destroy any potential bacteria or parasites.

• Limit albacore (white) tuna to no more than 6 ounces per week to reduce mercury exposure. Avoid bigeye and Ahi tuna.

• Check local fish advisories and avoid fishing areas with higher levels of contamination.

By following these basic guidelines, pregnant women can safely enjoy the great taste and nutrition of crab rangoon and other low-mercury seafood. A little moderation is key.

Including a variety of fish and shellfish as part of a balanced diet can provide major health benefits for both mama and baby. Just focus on the low-mercury options and avoid fish that tend to be higher in contaminants.

Other Pregnancy Food Safety Tips

Along with being cautious about fish, there are other food safety practices pregnant women should follow to avoid foodborne illness:

Cook thoroughly – Cook all foods to recommended safe minimum internal temperatures. Use a food thermometer when cooking meat.

Avoid unpasteurized foods – Do not consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, juice or cider, which could contain dangerous bacteria.

Wash produce – Rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water. Use a scrub brush on firm produce.

Practice safe handling – Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for produce and raw meat. Never place cooked food back on a plate that held raw food.

Avoid risky foods – Do not eat unheated deli meats, refrigerated smoked seafood, raw or undercooked meat, fish or eggs.

Reheat properly – Bring leftovers to at least 165°F. Discard food left sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Check expiration dates – Do not eat expired foods or foods past the use-by date, as bacteria can grow over time.

Being extra careful about food prep and storage goes a long way in protecting the health of mom and baby during pregnancy.

Healthy Pregnancy Eating

While avoiding risky foods is important, pregnant women should also focus on including plenty of nutritious choices in their daily diet.

Here are some healthy eating tips for expectant mothers:

• Emphasize whole foods – Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and lean proteins.

• Take a prenatal vitamin – Provides important nutrients like folate and iron that support fetal development.

• Drink milk and water – Stay hydrated and enjoy milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products to get calcium for baby’s bones and teeth.

• Satisfy cravings carefully – Indulge cravings in moderation by choosing a small portion or healthier baked version.

• Prevent constipation – Hormones slow digestion, so stay regular by drinking fluids, exercising and eating fiber-rich foods.

• Treat nausea – Get relief from morning sickness by eating small, frequent meals and avoiding spicy or fatty foods.

• Gain weight slowly – Aim to gain about 1 pound per week, on average, to support healthy fetal growth. Work closely with your doctor.

Focusing on a nutritious, balanced diet during pregnancy is just as important as avoiding risky foods. This gives baby the best chance to develop and grow properly before birth.

The Takeaway on Eating Crab Rangoon While Pregnant

Crab rangoon makes a tasty appetizer or snack, and the good news is that you can safely indulge this craving during pregnancy. Crab contains very low levels of mercury compared to some other seafood choices.

However, it’s still smart to enjoy crab rangoon in moderation as part of an overall healthy prenatal diet. Emphasize whole, nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, legumes, whole grains and dairy products. Stay hydrated and take a prenatal vitamin each day.

While seafood like crab rangoon offers excellent nutrition for moms-to-be, be sure to limit or avoid fish that tend to be higher in mercury, like swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish. Cook seafood thoroughly and practice general food safety habits.

By making informed food choices over the nine months, pregnant women can satisfy their cravings and promote the health of their growing baby at the same time. Both mom and baby benefit from