Can You Eat Lobster When Pregnant?

Can you eat lobster when pregnant?

In this article we are going to answer can you eat lobster when pregnant, what is lobster, is lobster healthy to eat when pregnant, what is the risk of eating lobster when pregnant and how can you add lobster to your diet when pregnant.

Can you eat a lobster when pregnant?

Yes, you can eat lobster when pregnant. Seafood is a very good source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and low-calorie food. They give a lot of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are very important for pregnant women.

Crab and lobster are part of the group of seafood that can be eaten safely in moderation when pregnant. According to the NHS, seafood shellfish that have been fully cooked can be eaten in moderation when pregnant.

Lobster is low mercury seafood so the primary concern when it comes to pregnant women eating lobster is that lobster should be handled correctly and fully cooked before eating.

Is lobster healthy to eat when pregnant?

Lobster is very healthy seafood that provides a lot of nutrients like protein and omega 3. It is considered a protein that is high in cholesterol, one serving can provide approx 70% of your daily cholesterol. The USDA recommends no more than 300 mg of cholesterol a day for women and men.

145 grams of lobster contains 128 grams of calories, 27 grams of protein, 1.2 grams of fat, 210 mg of cholesterol, and 0 grams of carbohydrates.

If you eat it in moderation together with a healthy and balanced diet there should be no problem with lobster. Lobster has less cholesterol than other crustaceans like crab and shrimp.

What seafood you can and can’t eat when pregnant?

Usually, pregnant women should avoid:

Swordfish

Shark

Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico

Mackerel King

Marlin

Bigeye tuna

Orange roughy

To reduce the risk of eating mercury, do not eat any uncooked fish or raw seafood.

Enjoy two 6-oz servings per week

Salmon

Anchovies

Catfish

Flounder

Tilapia

Canned tuna

Gefilte

Skate

Smelt

Squid (calamari)

Whitefish

Whiting

Sole

Shellfish fully cooked

It is recommended to eat 8 to 12 ounces of low mercury fish. That amount is to be approx 2 to 3 servings per week of low mercury fish, according to the FDA.

What is the risk of eating lobster when pregnant?

The main concern of eating lobster when pregnant is that if not handled well and not fully cooked, pregnant women may get food-borne illnesses. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women avoid eating sushi or anything with raw seafood.

The risk of food poisoning with raw lobster is very high. Pregnant women are too susceptible to this type of food poisoning.

They are 20 times more susceptible to having worse symptoms. The main symptoms you can experience with a foodborne illness:

Blood or brain infections

Seizures

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Miscarriage

Preterm labor

Headaches

Muscle pain

Fever

The three main diseases you can contract if you eat lobster in bad conditions are toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and listeriosis.

Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes cause listeriosis. If you let the bacteria go too far, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and other health problems. It can cause respiratory tract symptoms, septicemia, and encephalitis.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 2,5000 people will get infected with listeria every year. It means that it’s very rare to get infected but pregnant women are in a more delicate condition and need to be a little more careful because it could lead to fatal health conditions.

Listeria has been linked to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, septicemia, and pneumonia in the newborn baby.

Toxoplasma Gondii

Toxoplasma Gondii is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. For a normal, healthy person, it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms but for pregnant women, it’s too risky, it can cause serious health problems. One important thing to add is that once you contract toxoplasmosis you can’t contract it again.

It has been linked with poor health of the unborn baby with problems such as chorioretinitis, mental retardation, hearing loss, blindness, or epilepsy.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacteria that can be very dangerous in pregnant women. It also causes digestive symptoms like the other pathogens listed above. One important thing about salmonella is that it can cause bacteremia, a condition where there is bacteria in the blood and can be fatal to pregnant women.

How can you add lobster to your diet when pregnant?

Lobsters have a unique flavor that goes very well with butter and it pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes. Usually, it is cooked by steaming or boiling but you can also find it in medallions, frozen or commercial processes.

Look for healthy cooking methods so that lobster can be enjoyed as part of your healthy diet. Some cooking methods and process presentations can add fat and calories. Try to avoid frying lobster or mixing it with mayonnaise or too much butter.

Follow this link for some lobster recipes.

Other FAQs about Lobster that you may be interested in.

Can you eat lobster bisque when pregnant?

What do lobsters eat?

Why do lobsters turn red when you cook them?

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat lobster when pregnant, what is lobster, is lobster healthy to eat when pregnant, what is the risk of eating lobster when pregnant and how can you add lobster to your diet when pregnant.