Ceviche is a fresh and raw fish dish. It’s made by marinating raw fish in lemon or lime juice, along with chili peppers, onions, and other seasonings. Ceviche can be served as an appetizer or as the main course of a meal. While there are some risks associated with eating ceviche while pregnant, it’s still okay to have it occasionally. You just need to keep tabs on what ingredients are going into the dish to make sure that they’re safe to eat. Read on to learn more about whether you should eat ceviche while pregnant and what precautions you should take if you choose to indulge in this tasty treat.
What’s in ceviche?
Ceviche is a Latin American dish made with fish that has been “cooked” in an acidic marinade of citrus juice, sea salt, and other spices. Ceviche can be made with any fish, including tilapia, red snapper, sea bass, salmon, and scallops. Ceviche can be served as an appetizer or as the main course of a meal. It’s usually served with tortilla chips, corn or plantain chips, or corn tortillas, along with fresh vegetables and salsa. Ceviche is often made with raw fish, which can pose a risk during pregnancy. This is because some types of fish and seafood can contain bacteria or parasites that may not be killed by the acid in the marinade.
Why is ceviche considered unsafe during pregnancy?
The main concern with ceviche is that it is made with raw fish, which can contain harmful bacteria such as listeria and toxoplasmosis. Listeria lives in soil and water, as well as raw meats and unpasteurized dairy products. It can cause serious health issues for pregnant women and their unborn babies, resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite found in raw or undercooked meat and fish. It can infect a pregnant woman’s fetus and cause health problems like poor growth and eye damage. You may not even know that you have eaten something that contains one of these bacteria. Eating ceviche while pregnant can put you at risk of exposure to these harmful bacteria.
Is it safe to eat ceviche while pregnant?
All ceviche is not created equal, and there are some types that are safe to eat while pregnant. If the fish is fresh and the marinade is made with a combination of citrus juice, sea salt, garlic, peppers, and spices, you may be able to eat ceviche during pregnancy. Ceviche made with fresh fish is lower in mercury than other types of fish, but it’s still important to check for contaminants in the fish that you choose to eat. Fresh fish should be kept refrigerated until you use it. For the most part, eating ceviche while pregnant is only safe if the fish is fresh, not frozen, and if it is served with fresh vegetables, not chips. If you do decide to indulge in ceviche, make sure that the fish is served raw and that you are careful to avoid cross-contamination from the marinade.
Which types of seafood are safe to eat when pregnant?
For the most part, eating fresh seafood is safe during pregnancy, as long as you’re careful to avoid getting any contaminants on your hands or in the marinade. Avoid eating any seafood that is not fresh, has an “off” smell or taste, or has black or grey discoloration. Avoid eating raw or undercooked seafood like oysters, clams, and scallops. Limit your intake of fish that have high mercury levels, like albacore tuna, shark, king mackerel, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, and Gulf Coast oysters. Some safe seafood choices include wild salmon, sardines, pangasius (Asian catfish), herring, pollock, cod, and anchovies. Stay away from farmed salmon, as it is high in antibiotics and low in omega-3 fatty acids.
When is ceviche not safe to eat during pregnancy?
Ceviche is not safe to eat during pregnancy if it is not made with fresh fish. If the marinade contains lemon juice, the fish should be cooked before eating. Ceviche is not safe to eat during pregnancy if the fish is not fresh, if the marinade is made with lemon or lime juice only, or if the fish is not stored properly.
Tips for eating ceviche while pregnant
– Be cautious of fresh fish that has not been properly refrigerated or stored. – Avoid eating ceviche that is made with lemon or lime juice only, or that has been marinated in lemon or lime juice. – Avoid eating vegetables that are not fresh or washed in water or a vegetable wash solution. – Avoid eating any seafood or vegetables that are not fresh, have an “off” smell or taste, or have black or grey discoloration. – Eat ceviche that is served with fresh chips, not chips that have been cooked in oil. – Eat ceviche that is made with fresh fish and that is served raw.
Bottom line
Ceviche is made with raw fish, which can pose a risk during pregnancy. If the fish is fresh, not frozen, and if it is served with fresh vegetables, not chips, ceviche is probably safe to eat while pregnant. Stay away from ceviche that is made with lemon or lime juice, or that has been marinated in lemon or lime juice. For the most part, eating fresh seafood is safe during pregnancy and ceviche is no exception. Stay away from seafood that has high mercury levels and avoid eating any seafood that has an “off” smell or taste.