What is allowed and what isn\u2019t during pregnancy is a broad question. During the holiday season, let\u2019s focus on one topic that can be confusing: what to put on your plate?<\/p>\n
Between benefits and potential risks, it\u2019s time to talk about seafood!<\/p>\n
Almost unavoidable on the holiday menu: seafood. But when it comes to cocktail shrimp, scallops, or whelks, what\u2019s allowed when you\u2019re pregnant?<\/p>\n
During pregnancy, seafood should be eaten only when well-cooked!<\/strong> And of course, as fresh as possible. That means avoiding anything raw, undercooked, smoked, or marinated.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what that looks like:<\/p>\n \u2705 Allowed<\/strong>: shrimp, langoustines, lobsters, whelks, oysters\u2026 basically all shellfish if they are well-cooked<\/strong>. The same goes for fish: it\u2019s fine if it\u2019s cooked through<\/strong>, but if not, it\u2019s better to avoid it.<\/p>\n \u274c To avoid<\/strong>: raw oysters, caviar, lumpfish roe, tarama\u2026 These are strongly discouraged<\/strong> because they present a risk of listeriosis and\/or toxoplasmosis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Indeed, any undercooked or raw animal product may be contaminated with bacteria like listeria (which causes listeriosis) or parasites (including the one that causes toxoplasmosis).<\/p>\n These infections can pose risks to the baby<\/strong>: malformations, developmental delays, minor or severe abnormalities, neonatal infections, miscarriage, or premature birth.<\/p>\n Rest assured: these risks remain relatively low. But since they do exist, we highly recommend following the golden rules of pregnancy nutrition<\/strong>:<\/p>\n For meat<\/strong> and other animal products<\/strong>: choose well-cooked options and avoid deli meats (whether raw or cooked).<\/p>\n For cheese<\/strong>: always remove the rind and choose hard cheeses like Comt\u00e9.<\/p>\n For fruits and vegetables<\/strong>: wash them thoroughly since they are in direct contact with soil, and avoid raw sprouted seeds (like soy or alfalfa).<\/p>\n Finally, a quick note on kitchen hygiene<\/strong>: regularly wash your utensils, hands, refrigerator, and freezer, and keep raw and cooked foods separate.<\/p>\n Seafood provides essential nutrients for the body:<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve seen, during pregnancy, seafood and fish must always be thoroughly cooked. And since you can never be too careful, it\u2019s best to avoid ordering them at restaurants.<\/p>\n By cooking them yourself, you can ensure not only the freshness of the product but also proper cooking and storage, which already reduces risks.<\/p>\n A quick tip for shellfish: generally, they\u2019re well-cooked when their shells are fully open.<\/p>\n Our app features recipes specially designed for pregnancy, including a festive kit with quick and delicious ideas like a sardine rillette.<\/p>\n Eating well during pregnancy means eating a variety of foods. This helps your body meet all its nutritional needs.<\/p>\n For fish, the French National Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) recommends for everyone:<\/p>\n And specifically for pregnant women:<\/p>\n Many fish can be contaminated with methylmercury (which, in high doses, is toxic to the nervous system, especially for fetuses and young children). Eating fish is the main dietary source of methylmercury exposure.<\/p>\n Other fish that may carry this risk include monkfish, Atlantic wolffish, bonito, eel and elver, orange roughy, grenadier, Atlantic halibut, cardines, mullet, pike, pomfrets, Mediterranean capelin, common pailona, ray, large redfish, Atlantic sailfish, silver and black scabbardfish, sea bream, pagrus, black escolar, snake mackerel, sturgeon, and tuna.<\/p>\nWhat are the benefits of seafood for pregnant women?<\/h2>\n
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How to cook seafood during pregnancy?<\/h2>\n
How much fish and seafood is recommended during pregnancy?<\/h2>\n
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