Can you eat raw shrimp while pregnant?
Not advisedDo not eat raw shrimp while pregnant. Cook it until the flesh is opaque and pearly, which takes only a couple of minutes.
Why
Raw shrimp can carry Vibrio bacteria from the water it came from, along with Listeria and norovirus, and pregnancy makes you far more vulnerable to listeriosis, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or infection in a newborn. The CDC advises pregnant readers to avoid raw and undercooked fish and shellfish, and FoodSafety.gov lists raw shellfish among the foods to skip during pregnancy. Cooked shrimp is a different story: it is low in mercury and a good protein source, so the fix is simply heat.
Safer alternatives
- shrimp cocktail made with fully cooked shrimp
- garlic butter shrimp sauteed until opaque
- shrimp tempura served hot
- grilled shrimp skewers
- cooked shrimp in a California roll
Sources
- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/pregnant-women.html
- FoodSafety.gov https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Last reviewed by the pregAI editorial team.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know shrimp is cooked all the way through?
Cooked shrimp turns from grey and translucent to opaque and pearly white with pink edges, and it curls into a loose C shape. If any part still looks glassy in the center, give it another minute.
Is ama ebi, the sweet raw shrimp at sushi restaurants, safe?
No, ama ebi is served raw and falls under the same advice as other raw shellfish. Ask for cooked nigiri shrimp, ebi, which is butterflied and boiled before serving.
Is shrimp high in mercury?
No, shrimp is one of the lowest mercury seafoods and a good regular choice during pregnancy. The only issue is whether it is cooked, not how much mercury it holds.
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Get instant verdicts on any foodpregAI is informational only and is not medical advice. Always check with your doctor or midwife about anything specific to your pregnancy.