Can you eat Moreton bay bugs when pregnant?

In this article, we are going to answer can you eat Moreton bay bugs when pregnant, what are Moreton bay bugs, are Moreton bay bugs healthy to eat when pregnant, what fish you can and can’t eat when pregnant, and how can you add Moreton bay bugs to your healthy diet when pregnant.

Can you eat Moreton bay bugs when pregnant?

Yes, you can eat Moreton bay bugs when pregnant. Moreton bay bugs are considered to be seafood low in mercury as prawns and lobsters. The recommendation is that you can include seafood low in mercury two or three times a week. 

What are Moreton bay bugs?

Moreton bay bugs are named after Moreton Bay in Queensland, Australia but they are also found in other parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are also called crayfish. 

They are part of the lobster family. They have a flat-lobster-like tail with a hard external shell that turns red when cooking. The term Moreton Bay bug refers to two species, the reef, and mudbug. Both are found in Australia. 

Only the tail of the Moreton Bay Bug is edible. They have a rich, slightly sweet flavor and generally have a stronger taste than more lobsters.  They are often cut in half, drizzled with butter, seasoned with salt and pepper, and cooked. 

Are Moreton bay bugs healthy to eat when pregnant?

Moreton bay bugs are considered healthy meat to eat when pregnant. 100 grams of Moreton bay bug cooked without oil contains 121 calories, 1 gram of fat, 345 mg of sodium, and 28 grams of protein. 

It is an excellent source of pure protein without carbohydrates and with a very low content of fat. Sodium may be considered high but it will not cause harm if it is not eaten in large quantities. 

Moreton bay bugs can be part of a healthy diet because it has lean protein. In general, when pregnant you should follow a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. 

A few nutrients need special attention during pregnancy, like folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

  • Ideally, 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables every day
  • Increase your intake of whole grains and cereal foods. Choose high fiber options
  • Milk, hard cheese, and yogurt are great options because they are high calcium foods.
  • Choose low-fat options and good fats: fats from vegetable sources like almonds, olive oil, and avocado. 
  • Choose lean proteins and choose low mercury fish options. 
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Always stay active
  • Avoid junk food whenever possible, it should not be part of regular meals
  • Check the labels before buying processed food to make the best option
  • Avoid buying canned food with syrup, look for canned food with plain/spring water or olive oil. 
  • Avoid pre-cooked or ready meals
  • Choose low-fat options 
  • Avoid food with added sugars
  • Avoid processed/undercooked meat
  • Skip fast-food restaurants, instead, try to do healthy meals at home 

Weight gain should be closely monitored because the mother and baby’s health depends on it. 

What seafood can’t be eaten 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.

What fish can you eat when pregnant?

Enjoy two 6-oz servings per week

  • Salmon
  • Anchovies
  • Catfish
  • Flounder
  • Tilapia
  • Canned tuna
  • Gefilte
  • Skate
  • Smelt
  • Squid (calamari)
  • Whitefish
  • Whiting
  • Sole

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.

How can you add Moreton bay bugs to your healthy diet when pregnant?

Moreton bay bugs have to be fully cooked before you eat them pregnant to prevent food poisoning. They can be boiled, or fried, heated over an open flame, or roasted. It takes about 2 to 5 minutes to be fully cooked. Here is a recipe for you to cook Moreton Bay bugs at home. 

Other FAQs about Lobster that you may be interested in.

Can you eat lobster when pregnant?

Can you eat lobster when dead?

Can you eat lobster rolls when pregnant?

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat Moreton bay bugs when pregnant, what are Moreton bay bugs, are Moreton bay bugs healthy to eat when pregnant, what fish you can and can’t eat when pregnant, and how can you add Moreton bay bugs to your healthy diet when pregnant.

Citation

https://www.babycenter.com.au/x536398/is-it-safe-to-eat-seafood-and-fish-during-pregnancy#:~:text=You%20can%20eat%20other%20fish,all%20prawns%2C%20lobsters%20and%20bugs

https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumer/life-events-and-food/pregnancy/pregnancy-and-food-safety

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