Can I Eat Sushi While Pregnant?
Best to avoidGeneral guidance from FDA/EPA. Please always check with your provider.
If you love a good sushi night, you don't have to give it up entirely while you're pregnant.
Why
The concern is the raw fish, not sushi itself. Raw fish can carry Listeria as well as parasites, and pregnancy lowers your immune defenses, so an infection that would be mild otherwise can reach your baby and lead to serious complications. The FDA recommends avoiding raw and undercooked fish during pregnancy for this reason.
How to enjoy it safely
Choose fully cooked or vegetable rolls instead, such as a California roll, a cooked eel (unagi) roll, a shrimp tempura roll, or a cucumber or avocado roll. These give you the sushi experience without the raw-fish risk, and any low-mercury cooked fish prepared to 145F is fine.
When to ask your provider
Ask your Garden OB/GYN provider if you are unsure whether a specific roll counts as cooked or if you ate raw fish and feel unwell.
More foods that are best to avoid
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It summarizes guidance from FDA/EPA, which can change, and individual situations vary, so please confirm with your Garden OB/GYN provider.
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