Is Lobster Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?

Before you eat it, just make sure it comes from a place you trust and is fully cooked.

And we know that navigating all of those rules and (often unwelcome) advice can be pretty tricky.

Eating lobster during pregnancy is a common concern for many expecting mothers. Lobster is often viewed as an indulgent food that pregnant women may need to avoid. However, lobster can actually be a nutritious addition to your diet when you’re expecting.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about eating lobster during pregnancy including the benefits, safety precautions, and tips for preparing lobster properly.

An Overview of Lobster Safety During Pregnancy

Lobster is considered safe to eat during pregnancy as long as it is properly handled, stored, and cooked. According to the FDA, lobster is low in mercury which makes it a recommended seafood choice for pregnant women.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and most doctors encourage moderate seafood intake during pregnancy. This includes up to 12 ounces per week of low mercury fish and shellfish like lobster.

As with any type of seafood there are some basic food safety guidelines to follow when eating lobster while pregnant. As long as you avoid undercooked lobster and limit your overall intake, lobster can be a healthy addition to your prenatal diet.

The Nutritional Benefits of Eating Lobster

In addition to being low in mercury, lobster contains many beneficial nutrients for pregnancy:

Protein: Lobster is an excellent source of lean protein which supports fetal growth and development. Pregnant women need at least 75g of protein per day. A 3 ounce serving of lobster contains about 20g of protein.
Omega-3s: Lobster provides omega-3 fatty acids including DHA and EPA which are integral to your baby’s brain and eye formation.
Zinc This mineral is needed for immune function, cell growth and enzymatic reactions. Lobster is high in zinc.
Iron Getting enough iron prevents anemia and helps your body produce hemoglobin to support your baby Lobster has readily absorbed heme iron
B Vitamins: Lobster contains B12, B6, riboflavin, and niacin which assist fetal neurological and metabolic development.
Phosphorus: This mineral is necessary for bone formation. Lobster provides a good amount of phosphorus.
Selenium: This antioxidant mineral boosts your immune system during pregnancy. Lobster is a selenium-rich food.

Clearly, lobster provides numerous key nutrients for a healthy pregnancy when consumed in moderation.

5 Safety Precautions for Eating Lobster While Pregnant

It’s important to take proper precautions when eating lobster in pregnancy. Here are 5 key tips to ensure lobster safety:

Cook thoroughly to 145°F. Lobster must reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F to kill any harmful bacteria. When cooked, the lobster meat should be opaque and firm.
Avoid undercooked lobster. Only eat lobster that has been fully cooked including raw preparations like lobster sushi or ceviche.
Refrigerate promptly. Cooked lobster spoils quickly so refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Use within 3-4 days.
Reheat to 165°F. Heat leftovers to 165°F. Do not eat reheated lobster that is cold in the center.
Check for freshness. When buying raw lobster, choose specimens that are active with undamaged shells. Cook live lobsters the day of purchase for best quality.

Following proper handling and cooking guidelines reduces your risk of foodborne illness from undercooked lobster.

Can You Eat Lobster Sushi While Pregnant?

Raw lobster should be avoided in pregnancy including lobster sushi, sashimi, ceviche, or crudo. Raw or undercooked shellfish may contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause food poisoning.

Cooked sushi containing lobster is a safer option. Ask your sushi restaurant what preparation methods they use and check that any lobster is fully cooked. Avoid any raw or even rare lobster.

Stick to low mercury cooked sushi varieties like shrimp, eel, or well-cooked octopus. Salmon sushi is also low risk when sourced responsibly.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Lobster

Here are some healthy cooking methods and recipe ideas for enjoying lobster during pregnancy:

Boil or steam lobster for 5-9 minutes until the shell turns bright red. Serve with lemon and drawn butter.
Bake lobster with breadcrumbs and fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
Grill lobster tails basted with olive oil, garlic, and paprika.
Include chopped lobster meat in quiche, frittata, pasta salad, or chowder.
Stuff lobster meat into lettuce wraps along with avocado and tomato.
Make lobster rolls using a hot dog bun with mayo, lemon, celery, and chives.
Heat lobster meat gently and toss with pasta in a creamy lemon sauce.
For salads, pair chilled lobster chunks with mango, beans, corn, and red onion.

How Much Lobster Can You Eat While Pregnant?

When it comes to pregnancy seafood intake, moderation is key. The current dietary guidelines for pregnant women recommend:

8-12 ounces per week of low mercury fish and shellfish
No more than 6 ounces weekly of white (albacore) tuna due to higher mercury levels

A typical lobster tail weighs 5-7 ounces. A 3-4 ounce lobster serving a few times per month is considered safe and healthy during pregnancy. Spread out your seafood choices over the week for ideal variety and balance.

Check local seafood advisories before eating lobster fished from local waters. Follow any limitations provided to avoid contaminated waters.

The Bottom Line: Is Lobster Safe in Pregnancy?

In conclusion, lobster is nutritious and safe to enjoy in moderation during pregnancy. Choosing wild-caught American lobster supports sustainability.

As long as you follow key guidelines on handling, preparation, and portion sizes, lobster can be part of a healthy prenatal diet. However, it’s always best to consult your doctor about your specific pregnancy nutrition needs and any questions you may have about eating lobster and other seafood choices while expecting.

is lobster safe to eat during pregnancy

What seafood should be avoided during pregnancy?

People who are pregnant often talk about the foods they shouldn’t eat, and seafood is often one of them.

Lots of mamas-to-be will avoid it completely (and if that works for you, then great!).

But the truth is that you don’t have to go that far.

Instead, there is a lot of seafood that is good for you and your baby that you can eat while you are pregnant.

And that includes lobster.

Generally, there are two potential issues with seafood:

Some of it contains lots of mercury. And too much of that is bad for you and your baby. The bigger the fish, the bigger the concentration of mercury.
If it’s not cooked all the way through, it can have bad bacteria, especially if it’s not very fresh. Because your immune system isn’t as strong when you’re pregnant, it’s best to cook everything completely to stay healthy.

So, when talking seafood, in the “avoid while pregnant” pile are:

Raw fish – and that includes lobster.
Fish that are high in mercury, like swordfish, marlin, shark, tile, or tile

Can you have lobster when pregnant?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to lobster while pregnant ‒ as long as you’re not allergic.

Though not as low in mercury as scallops, shrimp, and oysters, it is still a pretty safe seafood choice.

Just make sure it’s cooked properly and enjoyed in moderation, like any other seafood.

Also, don’t forget that lobster is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your baby’s brain growth.

So go ahead and treat yourself to some delicious lobster!

True or False: Pregnant women should avoid eating fish and seafood due to mercury concerns

Can pregnant women eat lobster?

Lobster is the ultimate in luxury eating, so you might think that it’s going to be off-limits alongside wine, deli meats, and soft cheeses. However, this delectable seafood is safe for pregnancy encouraged by healthcare providers and dietitians—as long as safety precautions are followed.

Can pregnant people eat seafood?

While pregnant people can get omega-3 fatty acids from many sources, most experts advise eating seafood for this purpose. Mercury can harm a developing baby’s brain. But eating average amounts of seafood containing low levels of mercury during pregnancy hasn’t been shown to cause problems.

Is fish safe during pregnancy?

Eating enough of the right types of seafood is not only healthy but recommended for both you and your baby.

Is lobster good for a prenatal diet?

In addition to being delicious, lobster is packed with a range of nutrients that are recommended for prenatal diets, says Christine Naze, RD, CDE, a clinical dietitian at the Oregon Health Sciences University Center for Women’s Health in Portland, Oregon.