What kind of sushi can I eat while breastfeeding?

Sushi and Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know
For many new mothers, the craving for sushi can be intense after months of dietary restrictions during pregnancy. The good news is that sushi can be safe to eat while breastfeeding, but there are important considerations to keep in mind to ensure both mother and baby remain healthy.
Understanding Mercury Levels
One of the primary concerns when it comes to consuming sushi while breastfeeding is mercury content in fish. High-mercury fish, such as shark, swordfish, and king mackerel, should be avoided. Mercury can accumulate in breast milk and potentially affect your baby. Therefore, it is recommended that breastfeeding mothers stick to lower-mercury seafood options, which are generally considered safe and can even provide health benefits for both mother and child .
Types of Sushi to Consider
When selecting sushi, opt for those made with cooked fish or vegetarian options. Cooked fish, such as eel (unagi) or shrimp, poses no risk of mercury exposure and is a delicious way to enjoy sushi without the concerns associated with raw fish. Additionally, sushi rolls that incorporate vegetables, like cucumber rolls or avocado rolls, are excellent choices that are both safe and nutritious.
Choosing Reputable Sources
It’s crucial to ensure that the sushi is sourced from reputable restaurants that adhere to food safety regulations. This minimizes the risk of foodborne illnesses, which can be a concern with raw fish. If you’re unsure about the origin of the fish, don’t hesitate to ask the restaurant staff for more information.
Health Benefits of Sushi
Incorporating sushi into your diet while breastfeeding can be beneficial. Fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for both maternal health and the development of the baby’s brain. As long as you avoid high-mercury varieties and choose safe options, the benefits of consuming sushi can outweigh the risks.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can enjoy sushi, provided they make informed choices. Focus on lower-mercury fish, opt for cooked varieties, and ensure that the sushi comes from a reliable source. By following these guidelines, you can indulge in your sushi cravings while keeping your baby safe and healthy.

What fish can I not eat while breastfeeding?

You’ll want to avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as king mackerel, shark, swordfish, orange roughy, tilefish, and marlin. When you do eat fish, the safest choices are salmon, tilapia, cod, catfish, flounder, herring, and pollock.

Can you have yellowtail sushi while breastfeeding?

Fish such as bigeye tuna and yellowtail can be high in mercury or contain high levels of industrial pollutants. Cross-contamination can also be dangerous for your developing baby. After delivery, the dangers of eating sushi while breastfeeding lessen.

What should a breastfeeding mother avoid eating?

Caffeine. It’s not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine – it’s in chocolate, and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.

What foods should be avoided while breastfeeding?

What not to eat and drink when breastfeeding

• 1 mug of filter coffee = 140mg.
• 1 mug of instant coffee = 100mg.
• 1 mug of tea = 75mg.
• 1 (250ml) can of energy drink = 80mg (larger cans may contain up to 160mg caffeine)
• 1 (354mls) cola drink = 40mg.
• 1 (50g) plain chocolate bar = up to 50mg.

What kind of sushi is ok for pregnancy?

Pregnant women should avoid sushi made with raw fish due to the risk of foodborne illness. Cooked, low-mercury sushi (like eel or shrimp), vegetarian sushi (like rolls made with avocado or cucumber), and California rolls are okay.

What is the safest sushi to eat?

Try to use healthier types of fish like salmon and Pacific chub mackerel, which are low in mercury, for sushi rolls. Avoid King mackerel which is high in mercury. 7 Additionally, choose low-sodium soy sauce and go for other healthy flavor enhancers like wasabi or pickled ginger (gari).

Can I eat imitation crab sushi while pregnant?

Imitation crab is cooked, so it is usually safe for a pregnant woman to eat. However, it is crucial to ask if there are other raw products in foods, such as sushi, before eating them. Imitation crab is typically less expensive than real crab and contains pollock, egg whites, artificial flavoring, and sugar.

What sushi is safe while breastfeeding?

ACOG advises breastfeeding moms to avoid high-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. 4. Consider cooked sushi rolls: Choosing cooked sushi rolls, like California rolls or tempura rolls, reduces the risk of exposure to bacteria and parasites that may be present in raw fish.

What seafood has the least mercury?

Choose fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury such as salmon, trout, tilapia, cod, sole, sardines, shrimp, oysters, and other shellfish. For the most health benefits, choose fatty fish such as salmon, trout, herring, chub mackerel, and sardines. o These fish have healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

What kind of sushi can babies eat?

Children’s palates are often sensitive to strong flavors, so it’s a good idea to start with milder types of sushi. Consider sushi rolls with cooked ingredients like shrimp tempura or cucumber rolls. Vegetable rolls are also a great choice, offering a simple, fresh taste and a variety of nutrients.