Talk to me about sushi

LaRomana09

I'm craving sushi like nobody's business.  Everything I've read (and common sense) says that cooked sushi is totally safe, but PgAL brain won't let me eat it without running it by other crazy types.   :P   Is there any reason to be worried about cooked sushi?  Is there concern over it possibly touching raw seafood at the sushi bar?  I know some people say that eating raw fish is okay, but I'm erring on the side of being overly conservative.  Any thoughts are welcome.  Also, does anyone know what's the deal with the tobiko/flying fish roe?  Those little delicious orange ball things?  Are they cooked?  Safe?  I know they put them on a lot of the cooked sushi that I like.

carlsonbaby2014

Oh man I can relate because I was craving sushi SO BAD during my first and second trimesters.  The way I worked around my PgAL brain was to make my own at home.  I know, I know, it's not the same, but it did a surprisingly good job at satisfying the craving without causing me to worry if anything had cross-contaminated with raw seafood.  I used avocado, cucumber, a little cream cheese, and carrots in mine with white rice and seaweed sprinkled with sesame seeds and a side of soy sauce.  Again, it wasn't the same but it was what I felt comfortable with.  I've known women who have had sushi all through their pregnancy and been just fine .

E&B0811

I've been eating veggie sushi since second tri. My ob said that was ok as long as I was getting it from a reputable place. I like the tempura veggie rolls because the crunch and salt satisfies my sushi craving better than just raw veggies in a roll. Meanwhile, I've asked my aunt to bring a spicy tuna roll to the hospital after VB is born.

classicstar28

I honestly do not like sushi, but I would imagine that cooked sushi is fine.  As for the cooked stuff coming into contact with raw, maybe you could ask them to make sure to keep it separate?  I'd think they would treat it like they would someone with allergies.

However, I am 99% positive that the fish eggs (roe) are not cooked and should be avoided.

LaRomana09

@carlsonbaby2014  This is exactly what my MIL suggested; I think she has worse PgAL brain than I do!

@E&B0811  That's good that your OB told you that, it makes me feel better.  I plan on asking mine on Monday but DH and I are thinking about going out for sushi tonight!

I did find this link which says that the flying fish roe is okay!  https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/mercury-levels-in-sushi/

carlsonbaby2014

E&B0811 said:

I've been eating veggie sushi since second tri. My ob said that was ok as long as I was getting it from a reputable place. I like the tempura veggie rolls because the crunch and salt satisfies my sushi craving better than just raw veggies in a roll. Meanwhile, I've asked my aunt to bring a spicy tuna roll to the hospital after VB is born.

OMG *drool* that sounds so good right now!!!!   :P

LaRomana09

classicstar28 said:

I honestly do not like sushi, but I would imagine that cooked sushi is fine.  As for the cooked stuff coming into contact with raw, maybe you could ask them to make sure to keep it separate?  I'd think they would treat it like they would someone with allergies.

However, I am 99% positive that the fish eggs (roe) are not cooked and should be avoided.

@classicstar28  That was my thought, but then this website makes it seem like they are okay.  Maybe I'll avoid that one until I confirm with my OB.

TVLily

Now I want sushi!

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Mel&John2013

I finally had some cooked sushi yesterday, so yummy!

When I got it I just made sure to verify it would be prepped in a separate area from where the raw fish is handled and they assured me that's what they do. 

LaRomana09

meladoriestar said:

I still eat raw sushi. I only get it from a place that's got a great reputation and that has never made me sick before. If you're super paranoid maybe stick to things like California rolls.

@meladoriestar I'm not a fan of California rolls, but I am thinking eel (which is cooked) and avocado, shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber, that kind of stuff.  

ToriGirl2014

I've eaten cooked sushi from a reputable place and no problems.

The sushi issue is a pretty narrow risk to begin with; as long as you go somewhere reputable where they handle the food properly it should be extraordinarily little risk to you.  As PP mentioned, the only thing to think about is avoiding the high mercury content fish.

Eel/unagi is my favorite and I had it  a couple of times after really craving it in 1T.  

Confession: one time I even ate raw sushi b/c of a monster craving after doing my own research that indicated it was OK to do so - however, I felt so freaking  guilty after the fact that I haven't even touched sushi (or wanted to touch it) since then.

LaRomana09

@ToriGirl2014  Eel is one of my favorites, too, and it's on the low mercury list!  Don't feel guilty about the raw one, as long as you didn't get sick, no harm was done!

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LaRomana09

meladoriestar said:

meladoriestar said:

I still eat raw sushi. I only get it from a place that's got a great reputation and that has never made me sick before. If you're super paranoid maybe stick to things like California rolls.

@meladoriestar I'm not a fan of California rolls, but I am thinking eel (which is cooked) and avocado, shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber, that kind of stuff.  

You're insane for not liking California rolls! But go for it. All those others sound fine.

I used to, but now I think the fake crab has an aftertaste.  I loooove Pacific rolls, which are exactly the same as California rolls but they use yellowtail instead of crab.   =P~

longcat07

LaRomana09 said:

meladoriestar said:

meladoriestar said:

I still eat raw sushi. I only get it from a place that's got a great reputation and that has never made me sick before. If you're super paranoid maybe stick to things like California rolls.

@meladoriestar I'm not a fan of California rolls, but I am thinking eel (which is cooked) and avocado, shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber, that kind of stuff.  

You're insane for not liking California rolls! But go for it. All those others sound fine.

I used to, but now I think the fake crab has an aftertaste.  I loooove Pacific rolls, which are exactly the same as California rolls but they use yellowtail instead of crab.   =P~

i'm not big on california rolls, but i LOVE rainbow rolls, which are basically california rolls with different kinds of sashimi on top.  yum.

what another poster said about the cooked vs. raw sushi having separate prep areas is pretty accurate, i think.  that said, even the raw stuff goes through pretty strict deep freezing processes to kill anything bad. as long as you're at a reputable place, you should be fine, but sticking with cooked rolls is even more safe.

and now i want sushi.  *sigh*

Yaz14

I've been craving sushi like mad too but haven't eaten any. I usually order Katsu chicken and rice which kind of satisfies my craving and is cooked. I plan on trying to make some of my own sushi soon. You could try that. That way you have total control over what goes into your sushi and how it's prepared. Also I know that here most sushi places will make you a fresh batch if you ask so you can do that too and maybe just mention that you're pregnant.

luciddreamer106

I have had cooked sushi a few times this pregnancy and everything has been ok. I was worried about the roe, too, but used the same link you posted to determine that it was ok.

My favorite are the caterpillar rolls.

RayRay007

Even though I'm Pgal and worried about a lot of things, I have never really followed the food rules. I would and have eaten both raw and cooked sushi with all of my pregnancies.
Eta: from reputable places

Bostonchelle

I just had the same craving today and gave in to a roll with poached salmon, cucumber and seaweed. The way I figure it is that if you unrolled the sushi there would be no problem with any of the components so I could eat it. The eggs are generally raw so I steered clear of them.

LaRomana09

Bostonchelle said:

I just had the same craving today and gave in to a roll with poached salmon, cucumber and seaweed. The way I figure it is that if you unrolled the sushi there would be no problem with any of the components so I could eat it. The eggs are generally raw so I steered clear of them.

I've never seen a sushi roll with poached salmon!

asglover514

I am the only person in my family that eats sushi and after Aaron was born I sent my parents to get my a dragon roll and it was delicious. I'm pretty much avoiding it but I have been eating lunchables so yeah, not so much following rules there.  I honestly feel like if it's cooked you should be fine, from a reputable place of course to avoid any risk of cross contamination. You can always find a list of low-mercury fish to eat to lower the risk as well.

christia10

My ob/Gyn says cooked rolls are totally fine up to 6 times a month or 2-3 times a week for shrimp. Random? Yes! But it is cooked! The only reason to avoid uncooked is the danger to placenta from certain things that grow on food (possibly) if not at appropriate temps. Without these there is no danger so enjoy.

Yaz14

This post has me totally drooling over the thought of sushi now! I'm going to go get me some for lunch today. I'll get them to make me a fresh batch - cooked of course. Mmm.... can't wait :P

JuddandJessica

What?! Game changer...

alleycat39

I just indulged in some sushi earlier this week- cooked of course. I felt pretty confident as it was from a reputable place. My rule of thumb is if I would eat there while not being pregnant, then I find it safe too while I am pregnant. They are getting creative with their cooked rolls, so it satisfies the craving!

Yaz14

You won't believe what I went through to get my sushi this afternoon! :-O The weather is quite stormy here today but nevertheless I ventured out to the mall to get me some. First of all I drove around the car park for half an hour trying to find a park. When I finally found one it was at the other end of the parking lot to the entrance so I had to run in the wild rain and wind. But I finally got my freshly made cooked chicken and brown rice sushi! I then had to make my way home in the horrendous traffic but when I finally sat down to eat my sushi it was so worth it!