Can You Eat Sushi While Pregnant?
If sushi is one of your favorite foods, pregnancy can make dinner feel complicated. You may wonder: can you eat sushi while pregnant?
In the United States, major medical sources generally recommend avoiding sushi made with raw or undercooked fish during pregnancy. ACOG says pregnant women should avoid raw fish and shellfish, including sushi, because raw fish has a higher risk of making you sick. Mayo Clinic also lists sushi, sashimi, ceviche, raw oysters, raw scallops, and raw clams as raw or undercooked seafood to avoid.
Why Raw Sushi Is Usually Avoided During Pregnancy
Raw or undercooked seafood can carry bacteria or parasites. During pregnancy, foodborne illness can be more serious, so food safety matters more than usual.
CDC notes that pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain foodborne germs, including Listeria, and recommends choosing safer food options during pregnancy.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Cooked Sushi?
Many pregnant women choose cooked sushi options instead of raw fish sushi. Fully cooked seafood sushi, vegetarian rolls, and simple avocado or cucumber rolls may be safer choices when prepared in a clean kitchen.
Examples may include:
- Avocado roll
- Cucumber roll
- Vegetable roll
- Cooked shrimp roll
- Cooked crab roll
- Tempura roll with fully cooked seafood
- California roll made with fully cooked or imitation crab
Ask how the roll is prepared, and make sure raw fish is not used in the same way or placed on top.
What About Mercury in Fish?
Fish can be part of a healthy pregnancy diet when you choose lower mercury options and cook it properly. FDA recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women eat 8 to 12 ounces per week of a variety of seafood from choices lower in mercury.
High mercury fish to avoid include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, bigeye tuna, and tilefish.
Safer Seafood Choices During Pregnancy
Lower mercury seafood choices often include salmon, sardines, shrimp, cod, tilapia, trout, anchovies, and canned light tuna. These should be fully cooked during pregnancy.
If you are unsure about a specific fish, sushi restaurant, or preparation method, ask your healthcare provider.
Tips for Ordering Sushi While Pregnant
- Choose fully cooked rolls or vegetarian rolls
- Avoid raw fish, sashimi, and raw shellfish
- Avoid high mercury fish
- Ask whether seafood is fully cooked
- Choose restaurants with strong food safety practices
- When in doubt, choose a cooked meal instead
Track Food Questions and Cravings
Pregnancy food rules can feel like a lot to remember. Writing down cravings, aversions, and food safety questions can help you feel more prepared for appointments.
The Bump to Birth Pregnancy Journal gives expecting moms a beautiful place to record cravings, symptoms, provider questions, appointments, baby name ideas, and letters to baby.
A Thoughtful Gift for Expecting Moms
If you are shopping for a newly pregnant friend, first time mom, or baby shower gift, the Pregnancy Journal Gift Set helps turn pregnancy planning and memory keeping into a meaningful keepsake experience.
Use the Momentiqa App Alongside Your Journal
The Momentiqa App is designed to work alongside your Momentiqa books. It helps you follow your pregnancy timeline, organize memories, and use guided tools as you prepare for baby.
After Baby Arrives
Your pregnancy cravings and food memories are only one part of your family’s story. After birth, you may want to preserve first smiles, first steps, first words, birthdays, holidays, and everyday memories.
The Birth to Age 5 Baby Memory Book helps parents document the first years in one organized keepsake. For a premium newborn or baby shower gift, the Baby Memory Book Gift Set is a beautiful choice.
Final Thoughts
So, can you eat sushi while pregnant? In general, avoid sushi made with raw or undercooked fish. Choose fully cooked sushi, vegetarian rolls, and lower mercury seafood options when prepared safely.
Every pregnancy is personal, so ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure. Pregnancy food choices do not have to feel scary. They just need a little more care.