Sushi when pregnant - can I?

[wondering7777]

I’m currently on holiday in the USA and have found a sushi restaurant with rave reviews that I would love to try. However, I’m also 11 weeks pregnant. Can I go for it or is it too much of a risk?

I know this isn’t technically an AIBU but am posting here in the hope of a quick response!

[TheMonkeyWhale]

Do you have health insurance? What
Would happen if you fell ill?

I wouldn’t risk it abroad but I would eat in the UK

[dementedpixie]

Depends if it's been frozen first

[Sandsnake]

Yeah, it’s fine as long as it’s been frozen beforehand and I think almost all sushi has been. Maybe check they do before though. Enjoy!

[midnightmisssuki]

the advise is no i believe...

[dementedpixie]

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/is-it-safe-to-eat-sushi-during-pregnancy/

[00100001]

It is safe, if it's been frozen before hand. just ask the restaurant.

[leghairdontcare]

I assumed if it's got rave reviews it might be very fresh. I went to yo sushi and was relying on mass production to get me through. They weren't willing to confirm that anything they served was suitable for pregnant women. I must have looked particularly litigious.

[Sallyseagull]

As others have said, if frozen before then its ok. You could also go and have sushi with either cooked fish like prawns, soft shell crab or duck etc instead.

[ButDoYouAvocado]

Sushi doesn't have to be raw fish, loads of it isnt. If you're worried just ask.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

You can only have sushi while pregnant in the UK as we insist on all fish to be frozen first. It’s really dangerous to do it anywhere else including the US / Japan

[dementedpixie]

It's not dangerous if you ask in advance whether it has been frozen first

[hungrywalrus]

Can’t you have the veggie rolls and the ones with cooked prawns etc? That’s what I did. It satisfied most of my craving

[wondering7777]

It’s really dangerous to do it anywhere else including the US / Japan

Gah! Sounds like it’s a no then. But what do Japanese women do when pregnant out of interest?

[ChipsAreLife]

I had fresh sushi when early pregnant. I didn't realise you couldn't. It was in a very nice restaurant in London.

I assume Japanese women eat it?!

[Happyspud]

Many Japanese women eat it while pregnant.

[CottonSock]

Have the other things, don't miss out.

[MonstranceClock]

I lived in Japan when I was pregnant with my first, yes we all ate sushi.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

In Japan the advice from doctors is that you refrain from eating any uncooked fish and meat. The nutritional guidance doesn’t mention it either way - a left over from the times when nearly all pregnancies were amongst Japanese people (Japanese women, like Indian and Chinese women, often don’t any cold food during pregnancy).

[onetimeonlyy]

Can't you just eat the veggie and cooked fish. They always have other options

[dementedpixie]

Googling suggests they freeze it in the USA too but ask if unsure

[Onelovelyone]

I ate vegetarian sushi but not fish options When pregnant so, I wouldn’t eat the fish but would eat that - I was probably being overly cautious. I believe though that NHS advice is don’t!

[dementedpixie]

The nhs says you can

[DangerMouse17]

Of course you can. What do you think Japanese women do?

However I wouldn't if you've never had it before...nor have it from a different place/restaurant than you would usually.

[MissPepper8]

I'm pregnant and I love sushi, I settled for the tesco or aldi versions for now incase but I only go vegetarian though. Can't you choose veggy options?

I'd say if you weren't abroad maybe but it's a big risk getting unwell. I don't even risk prawns from Indian takeaways in the UK currently as I've been very unwell previous pregnancy.

[Expressedways]

I wouldn’t in the US. It’s not always frozen like it is in the U.K. and doctors advise against it. Unless you’re ok with sticking to veggie options then I’d pick somewhere else for dinner.
(And I would eat it happily in the UK, just not in the US.)