SUSHI (specifically, Spicy Tuna Rolls)

cd92007 · October 2013

So, I've always been in the "NO raw sushi" camp.. esp since I pretty much pleaded with my midwife and she still said no. But then I get an article from one of my pregnancy site in my email this morning that read:

Most American OBs say no sushi for you! However, if you look at the data, 85% of seafood illness comes from eating raw shellfish -- that's right, bi-valve mollusks; namely raw oysters and clams.

If you take those out of the equation, the risk of falling ill from eating seafood is 1 in 2 million servings, [by comparison, the risk from eating chicken is 1 in 25,000]. So... can we agree that we won't eat raw oysters and clams? I mean, really? Millions of Japanese women are not wrong (and yes, with some of the best public health officials in the world, they've looked into it.)

Furthermore, fish eaten in a sushi restaurant in the US is almost always flash frozen before it gets to the restaurant, so any parasites or bacteria in the fish would have been killed during the process.

Bottom line: No raw shellfish, but your salmon roll shouldn't be any more scary than your chicken sandwich.

I forwarded it to my husband, and he wrote "looks like you're having sushi tonight!" He's out of town and doesn't like sushi, so I do really want to get some tonight.

So.... what do you guys think? After reading the above, would you get a spicy tuna roll tonight (from a reputable place obvs) or would you just wait it out until post-baby?

Kyllarae · October 2013

Eat it and enjoy!

Twirple · October 2013

Those raw numbers are hard to argue with, however, I still tend to listen to my OB. I have been indulging in cooked sushi, though I admit it is not quite the same. If I did get sushi, I probably wouldn't get a Tuna Roll because of the high mercury content. Personally, I feel like that is a higher risk than food borne illness.

Edited for typo.

DemoDoll · October 2013

Get yourself some sushi mama! I've been eating it for weeks and have a perfectly healthy baby girl. I ate it my entire pregnancy with DD1 as well.

I'm glad you got that email, now I can forward it onto my judgey wudgey friends who side eye me at sushi girls night out!

bingbongsmama · October 2013

For every article/study you find saying sushi is safe, you will find just as many saying its not. I wouldn't take the chance, personally.

Rrrrrachel · October 2013

I've been eating sushi all along. I've avoided salmon because of mercury, but they say it's safe to have a couple of servings a week, so if that's what you really want go for it!

Twirple · October 2013

Rrrrrachel said:

I've been eating sushi all along. I've avoided salmon because of mercury, but they say it's safe to have a couple of servings a week, so if that's what you really want go for it!

I have been told (and I am by no means and expert) that salmon has lower mercury content than other fish. Basically, the bigger the fish, the older they are. They older they are, the longer they have been swimming in the ocean and, therefore, the higher the mercury content. Albacore Tuna and shark tend to have higher mercury content. Being in Alaska, my OB hands out a sheet with guidelines for safe halibut consumption based on the size of the fish!

ckred27 · October 2013

I have had sushi at least 5 times since my BFP and will continue to do so. I love me some sushi and as long as im at a reputable place, I dont worry about bad sushi

GO GET THAT SPICY TUNA ROLL!

Eija3014 · October 2013

Just as anything else, as the momma it's your job to do some research and make an informed decision

But as this article even highlights, MANY women (especially in Japan) have raw fish (and all the other no-no's) and still somehow continue to have healthy babies.

I've had sushi with cooked crab and shrimp in it but if I liked the kind with raw fish, I'd eat that too! Just remember almost everything is fine in moderation. Like grapes... I'm sure there are 100 ways grapes could "harm" your or your baby if you research the topic enough but the chance is so miniscule that there is no reason to obstain from grapes if you would like to have them in moderation

At this point I don't have the energy to tip toe around ever time I'm hungry. I just try to use my best judgment and take my vitamins so I know baby is getting the necessary nutrients!

*sparky* · October 2013

Call me crazy paranoid PG lady, but my OB specifically said no tuna because of the high mercury content so I am staying away from tuna completely. I also recall a salmonella outbreak in spicy tuna rolls a couple of years ago so that makes me paranoid enough to avoid them.

I ate sushi in my last PG, but only of the cooked variety. I just have not had the opportunity to have any this PG but I will be selective about it when I do.

Serenla · October 2013

AprilMay9 said:
I thought Japanese women did abstain from raw fish while pregnant? .

In my experience they avoid certain kinds of fish, but some eat sushi yeah. (This isn't all Japanese women, I'm sure some do abstain)

Personally I wouldn't eat tuna because of the mercury, however spicy salmon I'd be all over. I'm just waiting for the 3rd tri to indulge.
Edit adding.

Stace0616 · October 2013

I've been too scared to eat so much as a bite of raw fish lately but have had lots of veggie/cooked sushi at restaurants that will prepare it on a separate cutting board. I've seen too many health violations at sushi restaurants in Minnesota to chance it during pregnancy. I've fallen in love with avocado-cucumber rolls lately. You get the fatty mouthfeel of fish from the avocado but the crunch from the cucumber at the same time. Yummy!

I've also been known to pull up my rice cooker, make sushi rice and eat straight out of the bowl with sheets of seaweed and soy sauce for dipping. That happens a lot nowadays

cd92007 · October 2013

Thanks so much for the input ladies!! I decided to pass on it tonight.. mainly because I have a cold right now and my immune system isn't at it's best right now.

However, I really do think I'll indulge in some spicy tuna rolls soon

I am going to eat the F out of some spicy thai basil chicken though!!! Yummmm

Rrrrrachel · October 2013

Twirple said:

Rrrrrachel said:

I've been eating sushi all along. I've avoided salmon because of mercury, but they say it's safe to have a couple of servings a week, so if that's what you really want go for it!

I have been told (and I am by no means and expert) that salmon has lower mercury content than other fish. Basically, the bigger the fish, the older they are. They older they are, the longer they have been swimming in the ocean and, therefore, the higher the mercury content. Albacore Tuna and shark tend to have higher mercury content. Being in Alaska, my OB hands out a sheet with guidelines for safe halibut consumption based on the size of the fish!

Dur, I meant to say I've been avoiding TUNA

Surromom2014 · October 2013

I've been eating sushi the whole way through. I'm not one to eat the sashimi and rings like that so I've enjoyed my spicy than rolls and will continue to do so.

RocksInTheWater · October 2013

Ahh, I love spicy tuna rolls! And spicy salmon rolls. Yum, that sounds so good right now.

KelleAlward · October 2013

I JUST ate sushi for dinner, it was amazing.

michaelad3 · October 2013

As far as the grapes, I think she was just making a point that people can argue that just about anything is harmful during pregnancy and to remember to do your research and take things with a grain of salt

Kumori · October 2013

Psh my grandma and other family members laugh at the fact that we have that "no sushi" rule. They live in Japan and many pregnant women eat raw fish, some they stay away from because of mercury but also taste/smell. My doctor said she had no problem with sushi. If you are concerned though many places around me have cooked fish inside instead of raw fish so maybe you could find a place with that option. I love spicy tuna tempura sushi.

pbandjmom · October 2013

The only reason I'm staying away from sushi is because I got food poisoning from it once and it was awful!

I'll risk having food poisoning when not pregnant, but now that I'm already throwing up, I'm trying to avoid it any more. Just a random personal experience. It was awful!!

kateleestar · October 2013

I had an alaska roll (fresh salmon and avocado), a rainbow roll (a cali roll with avocado, salmon and snapper on top), and fresh salmon sashimi yesterday for lunch and it was AMAZEBALLS.

I've had food poisioning before, and it was from a national chain place, and it was beef. There would be no way to know completely 100% that EVERYTHING you ate the entire 9 months is completely free of bacteria. It's just impossible. Even if you cooked it all yourself, there is always a chance. Heck, I could have salad for dinner and rewash every veggie and still get something.

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