Ceviche is not one of the majority of foods that are safe to consume while pregnant.
Using raw fish or shellfish, seasonings, and lime or lemon juice, seafood is prepared as ceviche. The fish is given a 10- to 30-minute, or even up to 24-hour, marinating period in the juice before being eaten uncooked. Typically, the dish is offered as an appetizer or a snack.
Due to the fact that ceviche is produced with raw seafood, you shouldn’t consume it while pregnant. Food poisoning can be brought on by raw seafood or fish. Women who are pregnant are more likely to become ill, stay ill longer, and experience major side effects.
What Is Ceviche?
Before we get into the details, it’s important to define what ceviche is.
It is a typical seafood dish from Latin America that comes from Peru and is typically served as an appetizer before meals, frequently with items like sweet potatoes and avocados.
It consists of raw fish that has been marinated in various citrus juices, with lime and lemon juice marinades being the most popular.
Then, in addition to other condiments, it is seasoned with a variety of regional spices.
Chili peppers, salt, vinegar, cilantro, and chopped onions are the ones you find most frequently.
Ceviche should be consumed as soon as it is made in order to preserve freshness and reduce the danger of food illness, particularly salmonella, which is more likely given that it is served raw.
Is Ceviche cooked?
The issue is that it isn’t prepared by applying heat in the conventional sense.
Uncooked fish frequently appears on lists of foods to stay away from while pregnant, and ceviche is no exception.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Ceviche?
Ceviche should not be consumed when pregnant, as I previously stated, as the risk is too high no matter how quickly you consume it after preparation.
Simply put, a pregnant woman’s body processes things differently, and you definitely don’t want to have listeria or salmonella.
The more hazardous of the two pathogens is listeria.
Not only will it probably result in many major issues for you, but also for the child developing inside your uterus.
What Are The Risks Of Eating Ceviche While Pregnant?
If you’re still unsure about whether you can eat ceviche while pregnant, knowing some of the hazards may help you come to your own conclusion.
In general, the dangers of eating ceviche stem from the nasty parasites and bacteria, such as listeria and salmonella, that are present in raw fish.
Fish that are frequently used in ceviches, such as Corvina, tilapia, shrimp, sea bass, cod, and halibut, are quite likely to contain parasites, which is unfortunate for the population who enjoys it.
Additionally, due to their weakened immune systems, pregnant women are considerably more likely than the general population to develop food poisoning.
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, can manifest up to two months after consuming contaminated food and can result in:
- Fever
- An upset stomach with vomiting and diarrhea
- Headaches
- Confusion
- A stiff neck
- Loss of balance
Dehydration and even early birth, death, or miscarriage are risks that can result from it.
If the bacterium is transferred to your unborn child, it may result in blindness or paralysis as well as lifelong problems with brain, heart, and kidney function.
Not to scare you too much, but you should definitely avoid listeriosis.
What Should I Do If I’ve Eaten Ceviche During Pregnancy?
You might be wondering what will happen if you accidentally ate ceviche and are now reading this page. What can you do if you unintentionally consume ceviche while pregnant?
If you’ve ingested ceviche while pregnant, it’s best to keep a close eye out for indications of food poisoning. If you have any concerns or are experiencing any symptoms, inform your OB-GYN that you’ve eaten raw fish.
The following are the most typical indications of food poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- High temperature
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
Get in touch with your OB-GYN right away for guidance if you detect any of these symptoms. Go to an urgent care facility or emergency room if you can’t reach them and you’re feeling very sick.
Can a Pregnant Woman Eat Cooked Ceviche?
I’ve discussed the risks of consuming ceviche while pregnant, but what if you have a strong desire for it? Is cooked ceviche a viable option while pregnant?
As long as the ceviche is cooked properly, it can be consumed during pregnancy. When cooking finned fish, the internal temperature should be brought to 145°F (63°C). Cook whatever seafood you use, including lobster, scallops, crab, and shrimp, until it appears opaque and white.
FoodSafety.gov recommends cooking seafood thoroughly to kill any bacteria or parasites. For fish with fins, that means cooking until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check your fish’s temperature.
It is necessary to cook shrimp, crab, lobster, and scallops until the flesh appears opaque, pearly, and white. Cook your ceviche until the shells open if it contains mussels, clams, or oysters.
Cooking Advice for Ceviche For Pregnant Women
Avoid thawing frozen seafood at room temperature when cooking a fish dish since bacteria can quickly grow there. It is safer to thaw frozen fish in the fridge, in cold water, or microwave. To stop bacteria from growing, marinate seafood for ceviche in the refrigerator.
Additionally, you should never prepare different types of raw meat or seafood on the same cutting board because doing so increases the risk of introducing bacteria, viruses, and parasites into the food. Always use bleach to sterilize your cutting boards after use.
Check the local fish advisories for any cautions if you enjoy buying fish from your neighborhood. If not, you should limit your weekly intake of locally purchased fish to 6 ounces (170 grams).
Also noteworthy is the fact that the marinade of lemon or lime juice, whether pasteurized or not, gives ceviche its distinctive acidic flavor. The unpasteurized variety should not be consumed when pregnant because it may contain bacteria like E. coli that can make you sick.
If you wish to consume cooked ceviche while expecting, make sure the marinade contains pasteurized lemon or lime juice. Use fresh or unpasteurized juice as an alternative, but make sure to boil it for at least a minute to get rid of any germs or parasites. Cook the meat after finding a secure, pasteurized marinade.
When it’s time to add the vegetables, carefully consider these as well. If you suffer from gestational indigestion, you might want to leave out the chili peppers and onions. Try to include a variety of vegetables, as they’re full of the vitamins you need for yourself and your baby.
Are There Any Other Fish You Should Be Wary Of?
The waters also contain mercury, which poses a health danger in addition to raw seafood.
All fish contain it in modest, comparatively harmless amounts.
However, some of the bigger ones have a lot more of it, which might be bad for your health and your child’s health.
The following are a few of the most prevalent varieties of “mercury fish”:
- Sharks
- Tilefish
- Marlins
- King mackerel
- Orange roughy
- Swordfish
Conclusion
When it comes to the inquiry, may pregnant mothers consume ceviche?
To the dismay of many seafood enthusiasts, the answer is a resounding NO.
The same holds true for any other dish that includes raw fish.
Contrary to what some people may say, the vinegar, lemon, and lime juice, as well as the acid from the marinade, do nothing to help neutralize the bacteria.
However, just because fish are eaten raw poses a health risk does not imply that all fish is undesirable.
It’s actually one of the most wholesome forms of protein available.
It is packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that will support you during your pregnancy and guarantee that your child will grow up to be strong and healthy.
I advise first speaking with your family doctor and any other qualified healthcare provider on the subject if you ever have any concerns about when you can begin reintroducing raw fish to your diet, including adding it to your own child’s.
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