Can you eat lumpfish caviar when pregnant?
In this article we are going to answer can you eat lumpfish caviar when pregnant, what is lumpfish, is lumpfish caviar healthy to eat when pregnant, what is the risk of eating lumpfish caviar, and is there a safe way to add lumpfish caviar when pregnant.
Can you eat lumpfish caviar when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat lumpfish when pregnant but only if it has been pasteurized and kept under refrigeration at the correct temperature. Pregnant women should avoid all raw fish roe, fish eggs, and caviar because they can contain food poisoning bacteria.
Food poisoning bacteria can be very dangerous and life-threatening in pregnant women.
What is lumpfish caviar?
Lumpfish is a type of fish member of the Lumpsuckers family. It is found in the North Atlantic and part of the Arctic Ocean and is used as cleaner fish, to reduce the parasite burden on salmon farms in some countries like Iceland, Scotland, and Norway.
Lumpfish caviar refers to the roe harvested from lumpfish because they lay a lot of eggs they are good candidates to use as substitutes for sturgeon. Lumpfish caviar is relatively inexpensive caviar and they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The roe is removed from the fish and processed to remove all connective tissues. The roe is stored in a large barrel and then salted. It is dyed either red or black.
Lumpfish caviar is used instead of sturgeon caviar because sturgeon are endangered. Not because it is cheaper it tastes different but lumpfish caviar tends to be more oily and fish tasting. They go through the same process and quality standards.
It is used normally as a topping and not eaten alone because of the taste. It can be added as an additive for some dishes like sushi and sashimi and salads. It is an excellent source of vitamin B complex, omega 3 fatty acids, and protein.
Is lumpfish caviar healthy to eat when pregnant?
Lumpfish caviar is full of nutrients that are key for fetal growth and healthy pregnancy. 100 grams of lumpfish caviar contains 93 calories, 4.2 grams of fat, 9.8 grams of protein, 3.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 188 mg of sodium.
It is an excellent source of vitamin b12, vitamin b6, vitamin D, and Omega 3. It is also an excellent source of minerals. You don’t need a big quantity of caviar to have all their benefits.
Just remember, lumpfish caviar needs to be pasteurized and fully cooked to prevent food poisoning.
What is the risk of eating lumpfish caviar?
Although nowadays it’s very difficult to catch an infection, you should avoid eating lumpfish caviar when pregnant. The three main diseases you can contract if you eat unpasteurized lumpfish caviar are toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and listeriosis.
Listeria monocytogenes are the main bacteria that can be found in lumpfish caviar. It causes listeriosis. If you let the bacteria go too far, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and other health problems.
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.
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.
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.
So why are pregnant women more likely to get infected? Because their immune system is compromised and does not work as well as for a healthy person. Also, remember that while the baby is not fully developed, the baby it’s at risk too.
Is there a safe way to add lumpfish caviar when pregnant?
The only safe way to eat lumpfish caviar is to be 100% sure that it has been pasteurized and you need to eat it fully cooked. Caviar is usually served raw so you need to double-check what you are eating.
If you are buying caviar you should check the label for the following statements
- Pasteurized
- Vacuum Pasteurized
- Heat Processed
- Killed
Here is a link to the full list of food to avoid when pregnant according to the NHS.
Other FAQs about Fish that you may be interested in.
Conclusion
This article answered Can you eat lumpfish caviar when pregnant? What is lumpfish, is lumpfish caviar healthy to eat when pregnant, what is the risk of eating lumpfish caviar, and is there a safe way to add lumpfish caviar when pregnant.
Citation
https://bondcaviar.com/blogs/caviar-101/caviar-and-pregnancy
