Is Sushi really that bad?

spursgirl10 · June 2010

I am a huge sushi lover! HUGE! What's wierd is that this pregnancy has made me hate the smell of tuna but I still crave yellowtail! Shrimp! Salmon! ALL RAW! I am craving it like crazy but have read that I can't eat raw fish! Is this really a bad thing? I mean what will happen to my baby if I eat it? Anyone know?

rosesandpeonies · June 2010

https://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/sushimercury.htm

Some people take the risk though. I wouldn't, but I am a rule follower and a worrier.

Conway714 · June 2010

When I was pg with dd #1 I ate sushi, and I was really nervous, but everything turned out fine.

And now that this is my 3rd pregnancy, I'm a fan of everything in moderation even during pregnancy. I have eaten sushi in both of my previous pregnancies, and I'm sure I will with this one. However, that said, I typically limit myself to one roll with raw fish and do the rest either veggie or cooked, and it is usually a treat for me. Once a month at most.

That said, I am also one to have a half a glass of wine here and there after the first tri, and I also eat hot dogs, bologna, and cold lunch meat on occasion.

rosesandpeonies · June 2010

https://www.babycenter.com/406_is-it-safe-to-eat-sushi-while-pregnant_1245280.bc?startIndex=10

There is also a small risk of parasitic infections.

mr&mrswelch · June 2010

some people eat it, some people don't. It is all about your personal comfot level.

I don't eat it, but you have to think that pregnant women in Japan probably eat it all the time. Just do some research and make an informed decision.

law*momma · June 2010

I think it is ok in moderation IF you get it from a very reputable place with very fresh sushi. My aunt ate it throughout her pregnancies and she was fine. However, she only ate it from one place that she knew had very high quality sushi.

Lissa832 · June 2010

Conway714:

When I was pg with dd #1 I ate sushi, and I was really nervous, but everything turned out fine.

And now that this is my 3rd pregnancy, I'm a fan of everything in moderation even during pregnancy. I have eaten sushi in both of my previous pregnancies, and I'm sure I will with this one. However, that said, I typically limit myself to one roll with raw fish and do the rest either veggie or cooked, and it is usually a treat for me. Once a month at most.

That said, I am also one to have a half a glass of wine here and there after the first tri, and I also eat hot dogs, bologna, and cold lunch meat on occasion.

See this makes no sense to me. You were obviously concerned that you could be doing something harmful, but who cares? In the end things turned out okay, so it means no harm no foul?

I agree with your second statement that all things in moderation are okay, but I don't understand your first. I agree that sushi (as are many other things) is probably okay in moderation, but if you were "nervous" as you said you were, then why would you take the chance? Why would you just wait it out and hope for the best? That just doesn't make sense to me. It makes it sound like you were using your first kid as your guinea pig.

Like I said, I agree that all things in moderation are okay, but I don't get why you would take the chance if you really thought it could be harmful.

kcisthebombdotcom · June 2010

law*momma:
I think it is ok in moderation IF you get it from a very reputable place with very fresh sushi. My aunt ate it throughout her pregnancies and she was fine. However, she only ate it from one place that she knew had very high quality sushi.

This. I ate sushi my whole first pregnancy and will with this one as well. I wouldn't go get it from a Chinese buffet, but a good place? It's fine.

Molluskwrangler · June 2010

My mother ate sushi in moderation with all her pregnancies she just made sure it was fresh and from a reputable place. No issues here.

Soap1 · June 2010

Sushi is not really an "everything in moderation" thing (just like lunchmeat). There's a very, very small chance that you could get listeria from uncooked fish. Again, the risk of getting it is extremely miniscule, but you just have to weigh whether you are willing to accept it or not.

People say, "Oh you are more likely to get hit by a truck than get listeria from lunchmeat", but if you don't eat lunchmeat, your risk of getting listeria from it is zero!

That all being said, I ate sushi with my first and will again with my second!

st.augbride · June 2010

These are all foods associated with an increased risk of infection that you cannot fight off while pregnant like you normally can because pregnant women are in an immunocompromised state (hence we're at higher risk for flu, etc...). If you happen to become infected with something, you have a greater chance of miscarriage. That's the main concern epidemiologically. So it isn't really a moderation thing as much as it's a "hit or miss" thing. When you eat these foods, you are taking the chance that you are selecting the item without the bacteria and/or parasites of concern. It's similar as to why pregnant women shouldn't change cat litter over a risk of toxoplasmosis exposure (though your risk there is much higher as anywhere from 20-60% of cats are estimated to have been carriers at one point). As far as alcohol, there really aren't any studies showing a safe amount, which is why they advise to not have any. Will a tiny bit every few months hurt? Most likely not. I think the biggest risk there is that what is not a toxic level of alcohol for you may be a toxic amount for your baby (which takes longer to metabolize the alcohol).

I think plenty of women take chances with these foods, so it really is about the amount of risk you're willing to accept. For me, I'm an infectious disease epidemiologist and I actually study risks of these diseases daily, so I'm waaaay too neurotic and freaked out to take the chance (especially considering how long it took us to get pregnant). But everyone does have their own comfort level.

LifesPeachy · June 2010

st.augbride:
These are all foods associated with an increased risk of infection that you cannot fight off while pregnant like you normally can because pregnant women are in an immunocompromised state (hence we're at higher risk for flu, etc...). If you happen to become infected with something, you have a greater chance of miscarriage. That's the main concern epidemiologically. So it isn't really a moderation thing as much as it's a "hit or miss" thing. When you eat these foods, you are taking the chance that you are selecting the item without the bacteria and/or parasites of concern. It's similar as to why pregnant women shouldn't change cat litter over a risk of toxoplasmosis exposure (though your risk there is much higher as anywhere from 20-60% of cats are estimated to have been carriers at one point). As far as alcohol, there really aren't any studies showing a safe amount, which is why they advise to not have any. Will a tiny bit every few months hurt? Most likely not. I think the biggest risk there is that what is not a toxic level of alcohol for you may be a toxic amount for your baby (which takes longer to metabolize the alcohol).

I think plenty of women take chances with these foods, so it really is about the amount of risk you're willing to accept. For me, I'm an infectious disease epidemiologist and I actually study risks of these diseases daily, so I'm waaaay too neurotic and freaked out to take the chance (especially considering how long it took us to get pregnant). But everyone does have their own comfort level.

Yes Yes Yes

calhoun05 · June 2010

All I have to say is that I am glad someone is finally articulating why the "everything in moderation" argument makes ZERO sense when it comes to listeria risk. You either want to take the very small risk or you don't. Taking it 1 time or 20 times doesn't really make any difference - well, it makes a tiny amount of difference, since you're exposing yourself to a risk 20 times instead of 1, but it's not like the risk is listeria is going to "build up" in your body.

Conway714 · June 2010

I was just trying to say that with a first pregnancy everything seems a little bit scarier. And like a pp said, I think you have to be smart when you are choosing where you get sushi from and the same goes for cold lunch meat etc. If I am going to Subway or Jimmy John's I think it's fine and my OB confirmed that since it is fresh, it's okay. However, if it is ham that has been in my fridge for a couple of days, I heat it up like I did today.

A hot dog is an issue because of the nitrates, but I think that one every once in awhile is okay. Everything in moderation does work here as well as for coffee. I drink mostly decaf anyway, but one cup of regular here and there isn't going to do any harm.

So it's not like I'm gambling with my babies here or using them as guinea pigs. I'm just being smart in my choices and going on the advice of my OB. 9 months is a long time to be paranoid about every tiny little thing.

2006july15bride · June 2010

Honestly I find little difference between the taste of cooked, raw, and veggie rolls. I'm eating sushi, but nothing raw.

armywife7205 · June 2010

You also need to be careful with how much fish you consume for your mercury intake. There is a risk there too.

That being said im not a huge fan of sushi when im not pregnant. But love cooked salmon, talapia and some other fish. I just dont eat it regularly.

AppleRidge · June 2010

calhoun05:
All I have to say is that I am glad someone is finally articulating why the "everything in moderation" argument makes ZERO sense when it comes to listeria risk. You either want to take the very small risk or you don't. Taking it 1 time or 20 times doesn't really make any difference - well, it makes a tiny amount of difference, since you're exposing yourself to a risk 20 times instead of 1, but it's not like the risk is listeria is going to "build up" in your body.

Uh huh! And thank you to the epidemiologist. We could use a few more intelligent statements around these parts.

dharvey29 · June 2010

I recently purchased the book "The Panic-Free Pregnancy" by Michael S. Broder and LOVE it! He is an experienced OB-GYN who confronts the lifestyle issues and concerns of many moms-to-be and separates fact from fiction. His explanation of sushi is that, while you are always taking a risk by consuming raw animal products, the concern of eating sushi is more for the mother (if you were to become ill from it), not the baby, and that it is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy. As an overly-anxious, analytical Type-A person, I HIGHLY recommend this book!

veebug22 · June 2010

I didn't eat it in 1st tri just because there is a small risk. However, I'm eating it weekly now from a place I trust... love sushi. My midwife was fine with it. Yes, there's a risk, but it's small. You're like 40x more likely to get food poisoning from cooked chicken. Also, fish in the US is flash-frozen to be considered sushi grade which kills any parasites.

NewFamily09 · June 2010

If you eat it, go to a restaurant with a good rating and one you trust. I would be nervous eating the raw fish kinds. First of all, we're not supposed to eat much fish and second, it's raw so that's 2 reasons why we probably shouldn't. I love love love sushi too, but I can live without the raw kinds. I've been eating the kinds with cooked stuff. I make shrimp kinds and california rolls at home. They are safe.

NewFamily09 · June 2010

Lissa832:
Conway714:

When I was pg with dd #1 I ate sushi, and I was really nervous, but everything turned out fine.

And now that this is my 3rd pregnancy, I'm a fan of everything in moderation even during pregnancy. I have eaten sushi in both of my previous pregnancies, and I'm sure I will with this one. However, that said, I typically limit myself to one roll with raw fish and do the rest either veggie or cooked, and it is usually a treat for me. Once a month at most.

That said, I am also one to have a half a glass of wine here and there after the first tri, and I also eat hot dogs, bologna, and cold lunch meat on occasion.

See this makes no sense to me. You were obviously concerned that you could be doing something harmful, but who cares? In the end things turned out okay, so it means no harm no foul?

I agree with your second statement that all things in moderation are okay, but I don't understand your first. I agree that sushi (as are many other things) is probably okay in moderation, but if you were "nervous" as you said you were, then why would you take the chance? Why would you just wait it out and hope for the best? That just doesn't make sense to me. It makes it sound like you were using your first kid as your guinea pig.

Like I said, I agree that all things in moderation are okay, but I don't get why you would take the chance if you really thought it could be harmful.

Because sushi is SOOOOO DELICIOUS! lol. and sometimes when you are pregnant nothing else in the world sounds good except the things you're not supposed to have. You also have to consider that years ago doctors didn't know about the dangers in all these foods we're not supposed to eat. Still, women gave birth to many healthy babies.

Lissa832 · June 2010

NewFamily09:
Lissa832:
Conway714:

When I was pg with dd #1 I ate sushi, and I was really nervous, but everything turned out fine.

And now that this is my 3rd pregnancy, I'm a fan of everything in moderation even during pregnancy. I have eaten sushi in both of my previous pregnancies, and I'm sure I will with this one. However, that said, I typically limit myself to one roll with raw fish and do the rest either veggie or cooked, and it is usually a treat for me. Once a month at most.

That said, I am also one to have a half a glass of wine here and there after the first tri, and I also eat hot dogs, bologna, and cold lunch meat on occasion.

See this makes no sense to me. You were obviously concerned that you could be doing something harmful, but who cares? In the end things turned out okay, so it means no harm no foul?

I agree with your second statement that all things in moderation are okay, but I don't understand your first. I agree that sushi (as are many other things) is probably okay in moderation, but if you were "nervous" as you said you were, then why would you take the chance? Why would you just wait it out and hope for the best? That just doesn't make sense to me. It makes it sound like you were using your first kid as your guinea pig.

Like I said, I agree that all things in moderation are okay, but I don't get why you would take the chance if you really thought it could be harmful.

Because sushi is SOOOOO DELICIOUS! lol. and sometimes when you are pregnant nothing else in the world sounds good except the things you're not supposed to have. You also have to consider that years ago doctors didn't know about the dangers in all these foods we're not supposed to eat. Still, women gave birth to many healthy babies.

I don't drink. When I was pregnant with DS, I craved beer, even though I know that I would like it. I didn't go out and have a beer though because it sounded good. It's called self-control. If she really thought that it could be harmful, then cravings be damned. I wouldn't do anything that I thought could be potentially dangerous.

e_uecker · June 2010

A bit much don't you think? Lay off. It's not that big of a deal. So you don't eat sushi because there's a small risk. Good for you. Now get of your high horse. I was so worried my first pregnancy I did nothing wrong and still had a m/c. My next one I won't be freaking out at cold turkey. No I won't indulge on it all, drink, or smoke. I won't worry like crazy either. Alot of times if it's gonna happen it's gonna happen. Learned that the hard way.

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