sushi « Back to Group Discussions

[shanna-cat]

It's my birthday next week and I LOVE sushi. I will be 8 weeks prego and am really hoping to have a nice sushi dinner with the DH. I find conflicting info on my google search... pretty similar to alcohol intake. Moderate okay but only from a 'high quality' place? But some people swear it's a huge no-no. I do live near the ocean so most of our seafood here is pretty darn fresh.

Opinions?

[BabySmurf]

The biggest concern with raw fish (or anything raw) is bacterial contamination.  The other concern with fish is the mercury or other contaminants.  Basically there is a small risk of getting sick from the food, and if you have contaminated water near by, it may be a good idea to avoid the fish.  If the place you are going is clean, has good quality food, and the fish you are getting is fresh and you choose fish that is lower in risk factors, chances of something bad happening are low.  But you have to figure out which types of risks you are comfortable taking, just like anything else, there is no real right or wrong answer.  Personally I have eaten sushi once since finding out we were pregnant.  I did not get sick.   

[Sweet Huck]

 I, too, live near the ocean ... but in addition to the points mentioned by BabySmurf, pregnant ladies are simply more at risk for contracting food-born illnesses. I err on the side of caution and opt only for the vegetarian rolls or the ones with cooked fish. The places I go to seem to have a good variety that I can still eat and so I'm never disappointed. 

 Happy Almost Birthday! However you decide to celebrate, I hope it's a good one.

[bearandotter]

In my last preg I read an interesting article about how in Japan women eat sushi throught preg. It seems to be a cultural taboo here and perhaps not one rooted in evidence.

The worry is about mercury and the ever so small risk of getting foodboune illness making you and the babe sick. But when was the last time you heard of someone getting food poisoning from sushi? IMHO they are less risk than many other eating establishments because they are super aware of and hyper careful to address the risk. In my province sushi grade fish must be frozen to a certain temp before serving to decrease the risk of parasites, this isn't yhe case everywhere, but might be worth checking into where you live.

I personally feel safe eating low mercury raw sushi during preg. But not until later in preg, just typing this is turning my stomach. Darn nausea.....

Happy birthday!

[CrystalMarie]

Like you said, there seem to be arguments/research going both ways. We try to be smart about it by choosing a restaurant that we know, with good reviews that are up to the required standards for raw fish. We also make sushi at home fairly often. We buy our fish from a small fresh seafood market that we trust, who gets his fish from the boat to the store in less than 24 hours, and can tell you what boat, in what ocean, and how many people touched it. That's another option. That way you know just how it's been handled and prepared. For us, it's a risk we are willing to take, but we also drink raw milk from our cow, which according to most people is an even bigger no-no! 

Happy Birthday, hope it's lovely, whatever you decide. 

Crystal Marie

“above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins ” 1 peter 4:8

[crazyeight]

:/ going to the grocery store is more toxic.....

but i'm not a sushi lover so i would be more hesitant on where to go/what to get b/c i don't have experience with, but you seem to have at least several large sushi meals under your belt so there's no reason to stop going to a place you like, or getting food you've gotten before. people eat food, all the time, all over the world and i'll bet some culture, somewhere pg women eat poisonous foods! people will give you dirty looks for anything, stress is the real killer! have a HAPPY birthday and I want to get sushi someday but since i can't have soy or rice i'm probably out of luck.

[Missmamazilla]

Shanna-cat, since you are also in Portland, someone told me that Bamboo Sushi has a pregnancy recommendation section of their menu. And of course, their stuff is super-high quality, however spendy.

[Murph12334]

I'm to the viewpoint of everything is not horrible, in moderation.  I wouldn't go crazy, but as long as it's fresh, I really don't see a big issue.  Japan women eat sushi during pregnancy.  UK women drink tea during pregnancy (caffine and all).  Many other cultures do things regularly that we are told not to do.  Guess what...they still have kids there and they still turn out fine.  So eh, honestly I'm not all that concerned.  If I want a small bit of win, I have it.  I just don't believe in all the things they say not to do.

[willsmomm]

My midwife would tell you to go for it. She doesn't think it's a big deal. She also says going to the grocery store is more dangerous. I don't do it just because I know I have guilt issues and I would always blame myself if something happened, related or not! But I would never judge someone else for doing it. I totally get it. So I think it's a very individual decision.

[CookingMama]

Happy Birthday Shanna-Cat! Did you get your sushi?

[amlikam]

My midwife was more concerned with the aresnic in the rice than the raw fish!  ahhhh the toils of our world. Now I have a wicked hankering for sushi.

[bearandotter]

Originally Posted by amlikam 

My midwife was more concerned with the aresnic in the rice than the raw fish!  ahhhh the toils of our world. Now I have a wicked hankering for sushi.

Just found this. Super interesting. I'm celiac and DH is from India - we do a lot of rice!!!! (But mostly Basmati, which looks to be lower in arsenic per the averages). Going to have to look more into this (but not changing my habits quite yet).

[shanna-cat]

Originally Posted by CookingMama 

Happy Birthday Shanna-Cat! Did you get your sushi?

thanks! it was great but didn't get my sushi. which is actually ok because i spent the evening throwing up and would have been sad to 'waste' all that yummy sushi. but overall had a great bday!