Sushi During Pregnancy: You Should Pay Attention to This

Sushi should not be part of the menu during pregnancy. The reason for this is the danger of raw fish. In this article we will tell you how you don’t have to do without sushi and what you should pay attention to.

Sushi during pregnancy: That’s why it’s dangerous

You should eat a healthy, varied diet, especially during pregnancy. Fish also contains many healthy nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids – but care should be taken when eating them.

• Raw fish is taboo for pregnant women because it can contain certain bacteria called listeria, which can cause listeriosis. Since the immune system is weakened during pregnancy, the risk of infection is significantly increased during this time.
• For adults, such an infection is usually harmless. However, if the bacteria are transmitted to your baby via the placenta, this can lead to life-threatening diseases such as sepsis or meningitis, to malformations and to premature births and miscarriages.
• Boiling or frying kills listeria – therefore only well-done fish is safe for pregnant women. Smoked fish, like raw meat and raw milk products, should not be eaten.
• Classic sushi often contains raw fish products, such as raw salmon or tuna. Therefore, when eating sushi, pay close attention to whether it contains fish and how the fish was processed.

Sushi alternatives for pregnant women

If you don’t want to give up sushi completely despite your pregnancy, you can use non-hazardous types of sushi with fish, such as fried salmon. Vegetarian or vegan options are also possible.

• Vegan sushi alternatives with avocado, carrots and cucumber are particularly popular. Peppers, beetroot, radish and cream cheese are also suitable ingredients for vegetarian sushi.
• If you don’t want to do without animal products, you can add fried meat, such as chicken or beef, to your sushi roll in addition to well-done fish.
• Make sure that your sushi is freshly prepared and that all hygiene regulations are observed. To be on the safe side, it is best to prepare the sushi yourself – this way you can be sure that all the ingredients are safe for you and your baby.