Sami S
Hello! I'm the editor of this website.
Even though our content is verified by doctors, psychologists, and experts from different disciplines, it can never substitute personalized advice from your doctor or counselor.
Thank you!
Gefilte fish is a traditional Jewish dish with ground whitefish, carp, or pike mixed with eggs, matzo meal, and seasonings. During pregnancy, it’s important to ensure that the food you eat is safe and healthy for you and your baby. So can pregnant women enjoy gefilte fish? Let’s look at what we know about eating this tasty dish during pregnancy.
Can you eat gefilte fish when pregnant?
Yes. Gefilte fish is generally safe to eat during pregnancy. Gefilte fish is typically safe to eat during pregnancy. It doesn’t contain high-risk ingredients like soft cheeses, raw eggs, or unpasteurized dairy products. However, ensuring that the fish used in your Gefilte dish is fresh is essential.
Fish can be contaminated with dangerous levels of mercury and other toxins, so it’s best to avoid fish older than 1-2 days. In addition, pregnant women should always cook the gefilte fish thoroughly before consuming it.
In addition to the safety concerns mentioned above, some people may be concerned about listeria (a bacteria found in cold-smoked seafood such as gefilte fish). Listeria can cause serious illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies.
However, the risk of listeria is very low when consuming gefilte fish that has been properly prepared and stored. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that pregnant women cook cold-smoked seafood such as gefilte fish until it is hot before eating.
What fish to avoid when pregnant?
It’s best to avoid certain types of fish while pregnant. These include large ocean predators such as sharks, swordfish, and king mackerel, which can contain higher levels of mercury than other types of fish. Additionally, it’s important to avoid raw or undercooked seafood, which could be contaminated with bacteria or parasites.
Other fish to avoid while pregnant include tilapia, marlin, orange roughy, and Atlantic and Pacific halibut.
Pregnant women should also limit their canned or store-bought tuna intake to no more than 12 ounces per week.
What fish can you eat while pregnant?
Fortunately, there are still plenty of safe and healthy fish options for pregnant women to enjoy. Some good choices include salmon, pollock, catfish, tilapia, trout, shrimp, and canned light tuna. Additionally, certain types of shellfish, such as mussels and clams, can be a good option for pregnant women who want to ensure they get enough nutrients.
Which type of fish should not be eaten by a nursing woman?
It’s generally recommended that nursing women avoid eating fish high in mercury. Nursing mothers should also limit their canned or store-bought tuna intake to no more than 6 ounces per week.
Conclusion
Gefilte fish can be a safe and healthy choice for pregnant women. Always cook the gefilte fish thoroughly, avoid raw or undercooked seafood, and limit your intake of canned or store-bought tuna.
Nursing mothers should also take extra caution by avoiding high-mercury fish, large tuna, and other large ocean predators. With some simple precautions, pregnant and nursing women can enjoy the traditional dish of gefilte fish without any worries.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
