a lurker from 2nd tri with a question about sushi

CocoBrynne

Hi ladies, just had a question for you.  Have any of you at any point in your pregnancies had sushi and been ok?  I have been depriving myself of it for almost 5 mths now and I am dying for a spicy crab roll

Scout05

Many times.

Crab meat is always cooked, fyi.

RubineLime

It's recommended to avoid the raw pieces, but if you're just having a crab roll, the crab is always cooked. I always get California rolls so I'm not sure what else is in the spicy crab rolls aside from the crab though.

CocoBrynne

Yay!  I did not know that about the crab meat.  Thanks ladies, off to the sushi bar I go

laurakaz13

Every week of my entire pregnancy.  I'm a fan of shrimp, crab and vegetarian rolls. 

schoolsoutbride

I don't.  All I really want is a california roll, but I choose not to risk it (could be prepared on the same surface as raw fish, even if there's no raw fish in the roll.)  Listeria isn't a "only in moderation" thing.  You're either exposed to it and get sick or you don't.  I can live without sushi for 9 months (though I'm having it delivered to me at the hospital, LOL!)

LA_Badger

Ditto several others:  I have the California Rolls and Spicy Shrimp rolls - since they are cooked.  I am looking forward to spicy tuna in a few weeks (although I know MANY mommas who ate the raw fish sushi as well as rolls and had no issues).  To each her own.

inthewater

I have deprived myself of Sushi my entire pregnancy. However, on my birthday my husband took me to McCormick and Schmick's for dinner, and I had a bite of his seared Ahi Tuna. I figured one bite out of my 34 weeks, the reputation of the place, and the fact that it was seared killing all the outside bacteria (which is really where the issue is - same goes with beef) that I was okay. I have also seen posts from TONS of other people saying they had sushi - from known reputable restaurants. I think when it comes to eating and drinking the "no-nos" its really in moderation and the reputation of the restaurant/chef. It's usually just easier for doctors to put things on a totally banned list rather than explain moderation since a lot of people don't really understand the concept of moderation ( i.e., people tend to here the "it's okay!" rather than "it's okay once a week/month/etc.").

schoolsoutbride

I think when it comes to eating and drinking the "no-nos" its really in moderation and the reputation of the restaurant/chef.

I just don't think this is true when you're talking about bacterial exposure.  Moderate exposure is just as likely to get you sick as excessive exposure.  You either get exposed or you don't.  It works for alcohol or caffeine, but not bacteria.

flowerchild77

I eat sushi. Had it last night in fact. Its only recommended you dont eat the raw stuff... which I do anyways.

tokenhoser

I never quit eating it at all. I did limit my choices away from the highest mercury fish.

Women in Japan do not stop eating sushi for pregnancy.

Get it somewhere you can trust - the only real risks are from food poisoning and parasites. 

mrsfrates

I ate an eel roll last night. My DH and I love sushi and haven't endulged in it too much like we used to since I've been pregnant. I'm not too concerned that my LO will have three eyes or anything, but I also eat cold lunch meat!!!

penguin-kisses

Reputation of the place DOES come into play when it comes to bacteria and cross contamination (something being prepared on a surface that had raw fish on it). There is a big difference between some random hole in the wall sushi place and a very well known, reputable establishment or even, dare I say, a chain restaurant that has standards to keep up to (as opposed to a family run restaurant). If you want to get paranoid about Listeria in your food and the possibility of cross contamination then don't eat out at all - just because it's raw fish (which I'd be more concerned about parasites and mercury content) doesn't increase your chances of it being infected in comparison to other meats and foods.

Listeria needs to be present in the first place for it to pass from one food to another so unless there happens to be an outbreak in your area, or the area the food came from, chances are good that you'd be pretty safe (from Listeria specifically).

Even cooked foods pose a risk of food poisoning if not held at proper temperatures so if a place is known to have high standards of cleanliness and they prep their food properly, etc. you're probably pretty safe.

OP: I don't think you have anything to worry about, and eating a cooked type of sushi makes it all the better. Just avoid the sashimi if you're concerned about it being raw. Enjoy your sushi!

MissYouDietCoke

I've had California Rolls, veggie rolls and  tempura rolls. 

I drooled over DH's tuna sashimi, though.  

00tedsgirl

schoolsoutbride:

I just don't think this is true when you're talking about bacterial exposure.  Moderate exposure is just as likely to get you sick as excessive exposure.  You either get exposed or you don't.  It works for alcohol or caffeine, but not bacteria.

We're all exposed to a moderate amount of bacteria every day and it isn't making us all sick.  Unless you are only eating hermetically sealed food from single-use packaging that has been ultra-pasteurized, everything you eat exposes you to some bacteria.  Presence of bacteria =/= contamination.

heylee

schoolsoutbride:

I don't.  All I really want is a california roll, but I choose not to risk it (could be prepared on the same surface as raw fish, even if there's no raw fish in the roll.)  Listeria isn't a "only in moderation" thing.  You're either exposed to it and get sick or you don't.  I can live without sushi for 9 months (though I'm having it delivered to me at the hospital, LOL!)

 

Molluskwrangler

flowerchild77:

I eat sushi. Had it last night in fact. Its only recommended you dont eat the raw stuff... which I do anyways.

Yup! I had sushi 3-4 times during my pregnancy raw stuff included. Molly is healthy and happy

misssurly

I've avoided sushi on my midwifes recommendation... even with the cooked, she said the problem is that there CAN be cross contamination in the kitchen and it's not worth chancing it. I've almost broke down a few times but held out this far so I'm waiting to celebrate baby's arrival with a HUGE plate of sushi!!

Nechie122

Sushi-grade fish served in US restaurants is flash frozen to kill parasites as part of its preparation. As a result, the risk of listeria is actually low to non-existent. Most cases of illness from raw seafood have been linked to raw shellfish, which I would absolutely avoid. Check out this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/opinion/15shaw.htmlI haven't eaten much sushi here, but DH and I were in Japan during my first tri and I ate it there regularly. There's no taboo against it there.

tokenhoser

I really hope all you people that are avoiding sushi are also avoiding prewashed salad and baby carrots.

Listeria isn't just on fish and cold cuts.

gymnst1013

Yeah like 4-5 times a month.  Sushi is fine in moderation if you are careful with the high mercury fish and get it from a reputable restaurant.  Sushi in the states is flash frozen to kill any parasites.  And if you've never gotten food poisoning at the restaurant and trust the place then I wouldn't expect to get food poisoning now just because you are pregnant.

thebigmare

I go to all-you-can-eat sushi all the time. I got "permission" from my MW early on. It's a place I've gone to for over a year, so I know that it's safe and clean and since I always eat sushi, I knew how my body would handle it. I don't eat any of the high mercury fish (shark, tilefish or swordfish). I still *gasp* eat raw fish. I figure that there have always been pregnant women in Japan and I'm sure that they don't give up sushi. 

hmontty

Anything cooked is fine -- and that includes crab (which is ALWAYS cooked), eel, shrimp, lobster, etc.

Kierasmommy09

LA_Badger:

Ditto several others:  I have the California Rolls and Spicy Shrimp rolls - since they are cooked.  I am looking forward to spicy tuna in a few weeks (although I know MANY mommas who ate the raw fish sushi as well as rolls and had no issues).  To each her own.

I'm a second tri lurker but I just wanted to say with DD i ate raw sushi and med. rare steaks, and I've done the same thing this time both babies are A-OK so far

Eros

I have eaten sushi (cooked and raw) at least 10 times in this pregnancy and been fine.  Just be sure you are getting it from a reputable place with trained chefs. 

Jayfinn

Yup! Go eat some crab girl!  I've had sushi twice. Only crab though, since it's cooked.  Raw tuna and salmon will have to wait.

JustOne

No, I have not had a single piece of sushi this entire pregnancy.  But I also do not like the stuff.  I have had, however, sandwiches from Subway and Jimmy Johns.  Not heated.  And cold cuts from the deli, again not heated.  I also love the heck out of blue cheese and feta cheese.  All of which can produce listeria.  It is a matter of where you get the item, if it is reputable then go for it.

 

Oh, and the filet mignon that I had last Saturday for valentines was rare, and oh so yummy. 

qtsreign

Yes. The raw kind.

Washed down with a small glass if beer.

 

Gasp.

augustjam16

tokenhoser:

I really hope all you people that are avoiding sushi are also avoiding prewashed salad and baby carrots.

Listeria isn't just on fish and cold cuts.

Yes. Along with soft serve ice cream, fountain soda, apple cider and ricotta cheese.

heysupnatalie

I have never eaten raw sushi in my life but only because fish totally freak me out. I do however eat sweet potato tempura and other veggie rolls which I know are okay, but part of me assumes that the sushi chef doesn't necessarily have a clean knife for each roll that they do. Luckily the place I've been going to recently is my friends place of business so he always makes sure everything is nice and clean for me. Otherwise I just get freaked out by it.
I do however eat caesar dressing on stuff almost every day which has raw eggs in it sometimes and I know they tell you not to eat that, but I can't help it. It's really my only craving.

tokenhoser

heysupnatalie:

I do however eat caesar dressing on stuff almost every day which has raw eggs in it sometimes and I know they tell you not to eat that, but I can't help it. It's really my only craving.

If it comes out of a bottle, there are no raw eggs.

Luckiest13

Had it all the time with both babies. Raw and cooked. Just stuck to the places I know.