During pregnancy, one of the most common doubts about what may or may not be eaten is in relation to seafood, such as fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, crab and squid.
Shrimps are aquatic animals that, in the vast majority of cases, can be eaten during pregnancy.
It is worth remembering that each pregnancy is different, so the ideal is always to talk to the obstetrician who accompanies the pregnancy to find out if the consumption of shrimp is really released.
Contents
Can pregnant eat shrimp?
Shrimp is a seafood with low levels of mercury and therefore consumption is safe during pregnancy, as long as in moderation. The pregnant woman should limit herself to eating a maximum of 350g per week. The meat must be thoroughly cleaned and cooked (the ideal is to freeze, thaw and boil the prawns before preparing the dish).
Remembering that this amount is recommended for pregnant women who are not allergic to shrimp.
Frito
Fried shrimp is one of the most popular ways to find this delicacy. This type of presentation of food can be consumed by pregnant women, as long as in moderation.
That’s because the fries are made with oil, which is not very healthy. Therefore, to avoid stomach discomfort, pregnant women should control the frequency and amount of fried shrimp they eat.
Cooked
Cooked shrimp can be eaten, as long as the cooking is correct. Give preference to the prawns cooked on the stove and if possible in the pressure cooker.
Cru
Prawns (seafood and fish too) should not be eaten raw during pregnancy.
This is because they can carry some bacteria (such as Listeria Monocytogenes) that can cross the placenta, reach the baby and bring damage such as malformation, meningitis and in more severe cases even abortion.
In addition, the consumption of raw shrimp can increase the common nausea of pregnancy, cause diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort.
In recipes
Risotto, bobó, pastries, savory tarts, risoles … are delights to which shrimp can be added.
If there are no allergies or medical contraindications, all these recipes can be consumed by the pregnant woman, as long as the shrimp is cleaned and properly prepared.
Can seafood be bad for pregnant women?
It depends on factors such as the type of seafood, the frequency and quantity with which it is consumed, in addition to the way the meat is cleaned and prepared. In general, fish and seafood that contain mercury should be avoided, such as shark meat, swordfish and dogfish.
Find out if other types of seafood are safe or not:
Lobster
The lobster itself poses no risk. The problem is that if it is not cleaned and prepared correctly it can cause food poisoning and intestinal discomfort ( diarrhea , excessive gas and abdominal pain).
To avoid these symptoms, when ingesting this animal, one must be sure as to the origin and the method of preparation.
Crab and crab
These two fruits are on the list of safe and even recommended seafood.
Of course, in excess (like everything), it tends to do harm.
But, if consumed correctly, the crab and crab can help in the formation of new cells and tissues of the baby, since they are rich in vitamins (especially those of the B complex ).
However, these animals have a contraindication: women who are allergic to them should not consume them.
Scallops
Scallops are a great choice of seafood to eat during pregnancy. This is because they have vitamins (of the B complex), iron, calcium and omega 3 that help in the formation of tissues, organs and bones.
But, be careful, the ideal is to eat between 1 or 2 small portions (about 100g) per week to prevent food indigestion and indisposition.
Oysters
Again, the consumption of oysters is safe as long as the seafood is well cooked and in moderation (one or two).
Oysters open when they are ready. Thus, the pregnant woman should only eat the oysters that are open.
Overcooked or undercooked, they can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
What are the risks and benefits of shrimp in pregnancy?
One of the risks of eating shrimp is allergy, which may be unknown to women. This condition can cause shortness of breath, swelling and even hospital admissions and death. To avoid this, the ideal is to do an allergen test before consuming it.
Another risk is related to the cleaning and preparation of the delicacy. Prawns that are poorly cleaned or undercooked are more likely to have fungi and bacteria.
Thus, infections and inflammations are also increased, which can compromise the health and well-being of the mother and baby.
Regarding the benefits, shrimp is a meat that has calcium, iron, vitamins (of the B, D and E complex), omega 3 and 6.
The main advantages of consuming this animal for pregnant women are:
- Strengthens bones and joints;
- Fights cardiovascular diseases;
- Stimulates the healing process;
- Helps in the production of antibodies.
Babies also benefit from eating shrimp. This is because the consumption of the animal helps in the formation of new tissues and organs (mainly of the circulatory and central nervous system), in addition to strengthening the immune system.
The consumption of shrimp during pregnancy is safe, as long as the meat is thoroughly cleaned and prepared.
Ideally, this seafood should be cooked properly before being eaten or used in other recipes. The newsroom of Hickey solution brings other information on care during pregnancy . Follow our posts !!!
