Is it Safe to Eat Ceviche While Pregnant?

When trying to decide what to eat during pregnancy, there’s a lot of conflicting information out there, and it can be confusing to know what is and isn’t safe. One dish that often comes up is aguachiles, a Mexican-style seafood dish made with shrimp and vegetables. But can you eat aguachiles while pregnant? This blog post will explore the potential risks and benefits of eating aguachiles during pregnancy, and help you make an informed decision about whether it’s safe for you to eat. We’ll look at the nutritional value of aguachiles, their potential benefits, and their potential risks. We’ll also discuss how to prepare and eat aguachiles in a way that minimizes the potential risks. By the end of the post, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision about whether it’s safe for you to eat aguachiles while pregnant.

Benefits of Eating Fish While Pregnant

Although ceviche is unsafe to consume while expecting, you don’t have to avoid all fish and seafood. Omega-3 fatty acids and protein are both abundant in fish. Getting enough omega-3 fatty acids while pregnant and while breastfeeding aids in the development of the brain and eyes in your unborn child. Â.

Fish are a good source of protein as well as the following vitamins and minerals:

Some pregnant women don’t get enough iron, which can cause iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant women need more iron. Consuming fish can help maintain healthy iron levels so that your body can produce extra blood. Â.

While eating fish is safe during pregnancy, there are some fish you should stay away from. Mercury levels in some large predatory fish are higher, which makes them potentially dangerous for pregnant women. These include:

There are numerous varieties of seafood with negligible or no mercury. Different types of cooked fish and seafood can be consumed by expectant and nursing women without any problems. For pregnant women, the US Food and Drug Administration has established recommendations for how much fish to consume each week. These include:

  • Eating up to 6 ounces or 1 serving of some cooked fish
    • Albacore tuna
    • Snapper
    • Carp
    • Bluefish
    • Halibut
  • Eating up to 12 ounces or 2 servings of cooked fish and shellfish
    • Canned tuna
    • Shrimp
    • Oysters
    • Clams
    • Pollock
    • Cod
    • Tilapia
    • Salmon
  • Be cautious when eating local fish that your friends and family have caught because they may contain more mercury or other contaminants. Â.

    Mercury levels in shrimp may be higher or lower than anticipated depending on where they were caught. If you want to eat locally caught shellfish, your community health department may have information on the mercury levels in nearby bodies of water. The shrimp must be fully cooked, so keep that in mind. Then, enjoy!.

    A week’s worth of two or three meals, or 8 to 12 ounces, of shellfish or fish is recommended by research. The shrimp must be thoroughly cooked; raw shrimp, such as that found in sushi or sashimi, should be avoided. It is also beneficial to understand where the shrimp were produced.

    Many pregnant women are hesitant to eat seafood because studies have shown that eating fish high in mercury can harm the developing fetus. Shrimp is one type of seafood that is safe to eat, despite the fact that it is wise to be cautious about your diet. Shrimp are a healthy choice for expectant mothers because they have low mercury levels, little fat, and high protein content.

    A dependable sponsor of the American Pregnancy Association is Safe Catch. Innovative technology created by Safe Catch enables them to test each and every tuna to standards ten times stricter than those set by the FDA. Only Safe Catch Elite tuna satisfies the “Low Mercury” standards established by the top US consumer advocacy organization for young children and expectant mothers.

    Compiled from the following Sources:https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/can-I-eat-shellfish-during-pregnancy.aspx?CategoryID=54https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20043844 Riley, L., & Nelson, S. (2006). Healthy eating during pregnancy. Des Moines: Meredith Books.

    Risks of Eating Ceviche While Pregnant

    It’s possible for raw seafood to contain parasites or bacteria like Listeria, which can lead to the illness listeriosis. Pregnant women are 10 times more likely than other people to contract listeriosis, one of the most serious food poisonings. Symptoms of listeriosis include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Diarrhea
  • Upset stomach
  • Throwing up
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Loss of balance
  • Dehydration, which happens when the body loses too much water, can be brought on by vomiting and diarrhea. Listeriosis also can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or early labor. Â.

    After consuming something contaminated with Listeria, you may experience symptoms up to two months later. Although many pregnant women do not feel ill, you can still infect your unborn child. Â.

    Infants who contract listeriosis may experience severe blood and brain infections. Newborn deaths from listeriosis or long-term health issues like:

    FAQ

    Can you eat shrimp cooked in lime while pregnant?

    You should not eat ceviche while pregnant because it is made with uncooked seafood. Raw fish or seafood can cause food poisoning. Pregnant women have a higher chance of getting sick, being sick longer, and having serious side effects.

    Is aguachile safe to eat?

    Yes, aguachile is safe to eat. Given that you ensure the ingredients (especially shrimp) are fresh and clean.

    Can I eat raw shrimp while pregnant?

    Ensure Shrimp Is Fully Cooked

    Terrill recommends consuming fully cooked shrimp only, during pregnancy, “Make sure when eating shrimp it is thoroughly cooked and not raw while pregnant,” she says. Pregnancy is not the time to eat raw shellfish due to the risk of foodborne illness, says Goldberg.

    What seafood is off limits when pregnant?

    Examples of raw or undercooked foods to avoid include sushi, sashimi, ceviche and raw oysters, scallops or clams. Avoid refrigerated, uncooked seafood. Examples include seafood labeled nova style, lox, kippered, smoked or jerky. It’s OK to eat smoked seafood if it’s an ingredient in a casserole or other cooked dish.

    TPP: Pregnancy Friendly Ceviche

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