Nutrition and diet are the utmost crucial factors for women during the pregnancy phase. If you are a non-vegetarian, the common recommendation many give is eating shrimp during pregnancy. Why is it so? Shrimp, which is among the popular seafood options, has several advantages and rich nutrients loaded within, resulting in better fitness levels as well as enhancing the growth of the fetus.
But do you know there are also dangers of eating the shrimp during pregnancy? Necessary precautions need to be taken note of as well! It is not just about the consumption of this food, but also taking the right amount and at the right time. Here we let you in with all details and suggestions of shrimp intake for pregnant women.
Can I Eat Shrimp While Pregnant?
The most common question for many pregnant ladies is, Is shrimp for pregnant women safe? Well, many medical professionals say that it is! Eating shrimp is entirely safe and is, in fact, recommended due to a high level of proteins and nutrition. The shrimp falls under low-mercury seafood, which is suitable for those women who are carrying. As long the food item is thoroughly cooked, one can consume it, with limited quantity, no more than 12 ounces per week.
See More: Pregnancy Diet Plan
Health Benefits of Shrimp During Pregnancy:
It is of importance that pregnant women consume healthy and nutrient-rich food. Eating shrimp falls under the same category. The seafood is extremely nutritious as it is loaded with several vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids within.
1. Iron:
Iron is the nutrient that helps a pregnant lady from unusual bleeding, preventing her from the anaemia. It helps to increase the level of hemoglobin. Shrimps enriched with iron are essential for the body construction of the growing baby. It reduces the possibility of immature delivery in case of a reasonable rate of shrimp consumption.
2. Fatty Acids:
As all the seafood is a nutritional source of omega-three fatty acid, it is also a vital ingredient that a mother needs to consume to provide her baby with perfect visual development. Omega 3 works as a fuel for developing the nervous system in a fetus’s body. It is the main ingredient in shrimp that need to be consumed by mother twice in a week which is helpful for fetal brain development.
3. Zinc:
Zinc is another vital component that is invaluable for pregnant ladies. Shrimps are a well-known source of zinc. You can consume seafood in the proper amount after proper cooking to get the best effect of it.
4. Low Fat:
Shrimps are extremely low in fat. They do not spike up the unhealthy weight gain in pregnant women, and fact helps with the consumption of low-fat, healthy food.
5. Can Skip The Pills:
We all know how the pregnant ladies out there need to consume several vitamin and mineral supplements for healthy fetal growth and development. Do you know that shrimp has all that which is vital for the health of both mother and baby? They help in bone health, increase magnesium levels and also sodium-potassium levels. Further, they have good vitamin B12, A, D and E.
Dangers of Shrimp During Pregnancy Phase:
Shrimp are quite healthy and do not potentially have any risks of consumption for women who are carrying. But of course, as we all know, there are always safe limits which are recommended. If you are craving from shrimps, do not consume more than two to three servings of around 8 ounces per week. Further, shrimps can pose a danger if consumed uncooked, not well cooked, or if ate refrigerated and old frozen ones.
Ways to Include Shrimp in a Pregnancy Diet:
Shrimp are quite delicious. Those who love seafood generally love these tiny varieties of shellfishes too. Here are a few easy ways one can add them up into their regular diet,
- You can make a curry out of shrimps easily.
- Alternatively, the Indian way of tandoori cooked shrimps is quite delicious too.
- Combine shrimps with food which are not with high mercury levels.
- Avoid raw form of shrimps in the form of sushi, salads or sashimis.
Variety of Shrimps which are Safe to Eat:
Do you know that there are quite a lot of variations and sub-species within the shrimp family? Well, if you do not see, it is essential to note that there are only a few varieties that are safe to eat when you are pregnant. They include,
- Wild spot prawns
- Pink shrimp, northern shrimp and bay shrimp
- Rock shrimps
- Pollock
- Catfish
- Salmon
You can take shrimps but need to follow the recommendation by physician and EDA-FDA guideline. It should be kept in mind that sea foods are safe until you exceed the limits, fixed by the FDA and EPA.
Cooking Shrimp When Pregnant:
Shrimps may be quite tasty. But when you are pregnant, you must make sure that you do not consume any raw or semi-cooked/uncooked shrimps. The downside and disadvantage of these tasty ones are that they require a lot of cleaning. It may be quite a time-consuming process, but do not forget that for healthy nutritious fetal growth, you must not hurry up but rather cook the shrimps thoroughly.
- Thaw them well in case shrimps are frozen ones.
- One can easily clean the shrimps with warm water. Remove the back vein and intestine area at first, and then boil with water.
- Let the shrimps cook well so that all bacteria are killed.
- If you are using the microwave, let them stand well for a good five minutes at least, before you fry them.
See More: Eggs During Pregnancy
Easy Shrimp Recipes for Pregnant Ladies:
In case you assume that cooking shrimps are time taking and can consume your effort, well, we give you some easy yet tasty recipes for satisfying your taste buds. Watch out!
1. Baked Veggie Shrimp Bowl:
All you need is few healthy vegetables (alter them as per your choice) and yummy shrimps; you can make a quick microwave recipe in no time. Here is how!
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Bell pepper
- Broccoli
- Shrimp
- Coriander
- Lime
- Butter
- Salt
- Olive oil
Method:
- Pre-heat the oven in 400 degrees.
- Place cut vegetables in a baking pan which is drizzled with olive oil.
- Add salt and bake for half an hour.
- Now add lime, butter, coriander.
- Stir it up and cook for ten more minutes.
- You can see the shrimp turn pink and that is it, you are good to go!
2. Shrimp Bowl with Wheat Noodles:
If you are in the mood for something western and tasty food, here is some alternative with wheat noodles. You can alter the dish as you wish, with preferred vegetables and replace noodles with pasta too!
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Cloves and garlic
- Lime juice
- Olive oil
- Shrimp
- Bell pepper
- Beans
- Pepper
- Coriander
- Noodles
Method:
- Take a skillet and add olive oil with butter on it.
- Add garlic and cloves, sauté it well.
- Add the vegetables and lime juice now.
- Sprinkle some salt and let it cook.
- Add shrimp and sauté it well.
- Now add boiled noodles and wait for shrimp to get prepared with noodles.
- You can see shrimp turning pink once cooked.
- Sprinkle some coriander on the top.
- Make sure you boil shrimp well.
Precautions While Eating Shrimp When Pregnant:
Shrimps may be tasty, but you need to note the precautions to take before you consume them regularly,
- Always get advice from your health care provider, who knows your state of health. As per individual, the consumption limits may change.
- Ensure that they are purchased from cleanly and a good place.
- Only eat well cleaned and well-cooked shrimps.
See More: Crab while Pregnant
Shrimps during pregnancy are safe and healthy when consumed as per the required quantity and when healthily cooked. Now enjoy the nutritious food, but make sure you note all the possible dangers associated as well so that one can avoid them. Let us know your thoughts!
The information provided in this article is general and not customized as per the individual. It is always recommended to check with the health care provider before you consume the food items regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q1. Can I Consume Shrimp While Trying to Conceive?
Ans: Yes, absolutely! Women who are trying to conceive can also eat shrimp, up to 12 ounces per week. The US food and drug administration (FDA) has recommended women to consume shrimps regularly if one is trying to conceive.
Q2. How Much Shrimp Can You Eat While Pregnant?
Ans: The medical professionals generally recommend pregnant ladies not to consume more than two servings of shrimp per week. Although they are high with nutrients and vitamins, overconsumption may be bad for the overall health.
Q3. Can I Eat Raw Shrimp While Pregnant?
Ans: The most common question asked by carrying women is, is shrimp good for pregnant ladies?! Well, as mentioned, the cooked shrimp is safe to eat. But it is not recommended to consume raw shrimp in any case while pregnant. Are you suffering from fever during pregnancy? Do you know that fever in the pregnancy phase can also get complicated? Get all your facts right in this guide.
