Can you eat scallops while pregnant?
SafeYes, fully cooked scallops are safe during pregnancy and low in mercury; the FDA lists them as a Best Choice. Skip raw scallop crudo and ceviche for now.
Why
Scallops are on the FDA's Best Choices list, the lowest-mercury tier, making them a lean, high-protein way to hit the 2 to 3 seafood servings a week that US guidance encourages. The pregnancy rule is doneness: cooked until opaque and firm, since raw or barely seared shellfish carries the bacteria risk the NHS warns about. A standard restaurant sear takes scallops to doneness; crudo, aguachile and sushi scallop do not.
Safer alternatives
- Cooked shrimp
- Cooked crab
- Cooked calamari
Sources
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/fish-and-shellfish-nutrition/
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Frequently asked questions
Are seared restaurant scallops cooked enough?
A proper sear leaves scallops opaque and firm through the middle, which is cooked. If a fancy kitchen serves them deliberately translucent in the center, ask for them cooked through; it is an easy request.
Do bay scallops follow the same rules as sea scallops?
Yes, same species family, same Best Choice status, same cook-until-opaque rule. Bay scallops are smaller so they cook through even faster.
How many servings of scallops can I have weekly?
As a Best Choice, scallops fit the 2 to 3 servings a week guidance, counted with the rest of your seafood. Mixing them with salmon or shrimp across the week is the textbook pattern.
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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.