Sushi

[Anonymous]

Someone recently posted a question about soft cheese, now I'm curious about sushi. Anyone consume while they're preggers? I "slipped up" only once previous pregnancy. This one, I'm craving it constantly - although I would consume in moderation (once or twice a month). Many other cultures continue to eat raw fish and they seem to be doing okay...

[Anonymous]

I love sushi and totally crave it all the time during pregnancy. I personally dont think its a big deal and would probably eat it (as I eat deli meat, tuna, raw cookie dough - yum!) but only really eat sushi when I'm at a function where its being served - i.e. went to 2 weddings that had a sushi bar and I indulged. I try not to eat too much tuna, but go all out on the salmon.

My friend's OB told her not even to eat the vegetable sushi, which I thought was crazy!

[Anonymous]

My OB explained that it's not really the raw fish that's the problem -- in a reputable place it's likely to be properly stored and prepared. But every so often there's a parasite in fish that can show up regardless of the cleanliness of the restaurant. And it's the drugs used to treat the parasite that are problematic in pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

i keep my cravings to cooked and veggie sushi. I've become a big fan of avocado rolls. i figure it won't kill me to wait another few months to eat it...same with alcohol, deli meats (oh my god, how i want an italian sub) and other things.

[Anonymous]

My doctor (GU) had no problems with sushi once I hit the 24 week mark. Her guidelines: 1) order from a reputable place and do not eat it if you have any doubts as to freshness and 2) don't consume so much that you end up with increased mercury levels (ie skip the shark, swordfish, etc and maybe just once a week). I've indulged once or twice during pregnancy, but at 35+ weeks now, I'm trying to hold off until after baby, just to keep the guilt at a minimum.

[Anonymous]

Any raw or undercooked food has the potential of making you and your baby sick. I personally don't eat sushi while pregnant. Although the risk is low, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[Anonymous]

Some sushi is cooked like shrimp and eel. You could also go with California rolls or something with fake crab meat to get you through your cravings. I ate all of the above while pregnant.

[Anonymous]

We went to a sushi restaurant last night. I ordered a shrimp roll (crunchy or tempura is always good). I was told nothing raw, so I am really missing my Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll. Mmmmm. I also told the server that I was pregnant and that I didn't want to risk any cross-contamination. They brought my rolls on a seperate plate than my husbands.

[Anonymous]

My doctor says sushi is fine. Also, loads of Japanese women eat Sushi every day and are none the worse for wear. here's why. For fish to be categorized sushi or sashimi great has nothing to do with the quality or type of cut of fish. Rather, it means that the sushi has been flash frozen. This process is what kills the bacteria and parasites that would be worrisome to pregnant women. When doctors tell you to make sure you go to a reputable place, they mean a place that wouldn't substitute sashimi or sushi great fish for non sushi grade fish (which is cheaper). While cleanliness is ALWAYS important, this has less to do with it than the process.

That said, I haven't wanted sushi once while pregnant. Not quite an aversion, but almost a reverse-craving. I hope my taste for sushi comes back, it is a pleasure I miss! Bon appetit ladies.

[Anonymous]

Almost all raw sushi has been flash frozen to kill parasites. I have craved sushi throughout pregnancy and have had it about once a month. Here's a piece I found in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/opinion/15shaw.html

That said, I won't eat tuna in any form while pregnant because I am not comfortable with the mercury levels. I stick to salmon and other kinds of sushi.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Oops! One typo subbing in "sushi great" for "sushi grade" is understandable, but I said it twice! DH must be sending me subliminal messages to try to get me back on the sushi track once this kid joins our family. "Sushi.......great......sushi.......great!"

Anyway, I meant "sushi GRADE." LOL.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the affirmations! Spicy scallop roll, brace yourself.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I called our 2 favorite (both reputable) sushi places to order carryout last week and he asked them to prepare and pack my California rolls separately since I was pregnant. TO my surprise, both places said it was too risky and they didn't serve any sushi to pregnant women. I assume this must be because they prepare everything o the same surface, but am not sure. So, personally I'm going to wait, but everyone has their rules they can stick to and rules they break....

[Anonymous]

I avoided sushi completely during pregnancy #1 - well, except for a birthday sushi blowout before I knew I was pregnant. This time around, I may, possibly, have slipped a few pieces from my husband's dinner one night. Allegedly.

[Anonymous]

I am 37 weeks and I eat a few pieces here and there. I used to live in Japan and pregnant woman eat sushi there. I've never gotten sick from sushi or deli meat in my life. I don't indulge in it, but I also don't avoid it. There are a lot of benefits to eating fish.