Can I eat raw fish during pregnancy? Learn about correct dietary guidance!
The pregnancy preparation period refers to the stage of preparing for pregnancy. This stage is very critical for both men and women. Diet is an important aspect during pregnancy, as the right diet can improve your chances of conceiving, while poor eating habits can have a negative impact on conception. While preparing for pregnancy, many people will wonder whether they can eat raw fish. Let’s answer this question in detail below.
Sashimi refers to fish that has not been heated, such as the sashimi commonly found in sushi. Eating raw fish is safe under normal circumstances, but you need to be careful when trying to get pregnant. This is because raw fish may carry bacteria and parasites that may pose health risks to pregnant women and fetuses.
First of all, raw fish may carry bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can cause food poisoning, causing diarrhea, vomiting and other symptoms. If a woman is infected with these bacteria while trying to conceive, it may adversely affect her pregnancy. Therefore, to ensure food safety, it is best to choose heat-treated fish.
Secondly, raw fish may carry parasites, such as flukes and roundworms. These parasites may cause intestinal infections, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms. If a woman is infected with these parasites while preparing for pregnancy, it may have adverse effects on the health of the pregnancy and fetus. Therefore, to avoid parasitic infections, it is best to choose well-cooked fish.
In addition, you need to pay attention to the mercury content in fish during pregnancy preparation. Mercury is a toxic substance that is harmful to pregnant women and fetuses. Some fish, especially large fish, may contain higher mercury levels. Therefore, when preparing for pregnancy, it is recommended to reduce the intake of high-mercury fish, such as shark, swordfish, and tuna. Choose low-mercury fish, such as cod, sea bass and salmon, to better protect your health.
To sum up, you can eat fish during pregnancy preparation, but it is best to choose cooked fish that has been heated. Eating raw fish may carry the risk of foodborne illness and parasitic infections, which can be detrimental to a pregnant woman and her fetus. In addition, pay attention to the mercury content in fish meat. Choosing low-mercury fish can better protect your health. During pregnancy preparation, a reasonable diet is very important. You should try to avoid eating potentially risky foods to ensure the health of yourself and your fetus.
