There are not many people who haven't heard of or tried sushi yet. Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that consists of cooked vinegared rice served with raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, and sometimes egg or meat (like duck). It is often served with soy sauce and wasabi, for dipping.
Eating raw fish or shellfish can potentially contain harmful bacteria or parasites that can cause foodborne illness. Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing complications from foodborne illness, so it is important to take extra care when selecting and preparing the dish.
If you are expecting and want to eat sushi, choose rolls made with cooked ingredients such as cooked shrimp, cooked crab, or cooked vegetables. Avoid fish that contain a high amounts of mercury; such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. To be on the safe side, avoid sushi made with raw fish during pregnancy.
The high percentage of mercury present in salmon and fresh tuna can affect the fetal central nervous system. It is not recommended to eat more than 2 pieces per week (170g). Eating raw fish can be risky because it can harbour harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause food poisoning.
Some types of bacteria that can be found in raw fish include Vibrio, Listeria, and Salmonella. These bacteria can cause symptoms such as fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Parasites are another potential risk of eating raw fish. Some types of parasites that can be found in raw fish include roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. These parasites can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, and in some cases, they can cause more serious health problems.
This disease is transmitted only by raw or undercooked meat. Avoid eating sushi at steakhouses, where the sushi knife may have come into contact with raw meat. Some people think that eating wasabi will protect our body from some bacteria, but in fact, pregnant women cannot eat wasabi either, since it can also be harmful.
Expecting mothers can generally eat most types of sushi, as long as it is made with cooked seafood and vegetables and is handled properly to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Smoked and chilled seafood should also be avoided as there is a risk of listeria. The FDA recommends that fish be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (above 62°C).
Ceviche is one of the most popular dishes in Japanese restaurants, despite its non-Japanese origin (Peru). Some think it's safe to eat ceviche, as the fish cooks in the lemon sauce. While the acid in the citrus juice can help to "cook" the seafood and reduce the risk of food poisoning, there is still a risk of contracting a bacterial or viral infection or consuming toxins. Ceviche can stay in the sauce longer and is a little safer, but be careful with dishes like Tataki and Carpaccio.
If you are pregnant and you want to eat ceviche, it is important to choose ceviche made with fresh, high-quality seafood that has been handled properly to reduce the risk of food poisoning. And the safest option would be to choose ceviche made with cooked seafood, as this can help to further reduce the risk of food poisoning.