Pregnancy is going to be a phase of life where we ask ourselves a lot of questions. You are pregnant and during your medical consultations, you have been given many food recommendations. But you feel lost on what food is allowed or not recommended. To prevent causing your baby disease, it is great to follow various feeding recommendations. Can we eat sardine when pregnant? It will depend on how it is cooked generally. This way we will see with you if you can eat sardine when pregnant, in raw, smoked, steamed, frozen or cooked form.
How can you eat sardine while pregnant without risk?
Can we eat sardine raw when pregnant?
Raw fish is not allowed while pregnant without exception. Eat sardine when pregnant, will not be advised during pregnancy. Raw fish may possibly contain bacteria such as listeriosis or toxoplasmosis. Listeriosis (bacteria) and toxoplasmosis (parasites) are foodborne illnesses. They could be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. If the fish is not cooked, then the bacteria is not killed. It can spread and be transmitted to your child. Therefore, to avoid worries, do not eat sardine raw. In this category, this includes all sushi, sashimi, tartars, carpaccio, ceviche, gravlax salmon…
Can we eat sardine smoked when we are pregnant?
The answer is precisely the same as for raw fish, it is not advised to eat sardine smoked when pregnant. Smoked fish may possibly have precisely the same bacteria as raw fish. Foodborne illnesses will include listeriosis and toxoplasmosis infection.
Can we eat sardine steamed when pregnant ?
Steam cooking generally is higher than 158°F/70°C, which is advised for sardine steam cooking. Therefore you will be able to safely eat sardine steamed when pregnant .
Can we eat sardine frozen while pregnant?
The frozen fish will be able to be eaten by the pregnant woman. You will need to make sure that the cold chain has been respected. In case that you freeze sardine at home, then you will be able to eat it when you are pregnant. Check that the temperature of the freezer is well below -0.4°F/-18°C.
Can we eat sardine cooked during pregnancy?
When you eat sardine while pregnant, you are totally safe. Any cooking method above 158°F/70°C allows you to kill bacteria that may possibly be present in fish. As well as your fish being cooked in papillote, in the oven, in the frying pan, it will be safe to eat.
What precautions will there be to avoid becoming infected by eating sardine when pregnant?
Food hygiene rule during pregnancy
It is advised not to eat fish more than 2 times a week. It is great to vary the species and supply locations. It is relatively preferable to limit the consumption of the following fish: sea bream, skate, halibut, tuna, carp, sea bass, monkfish, bonito, and eel. It is suggested to avoid eating of swordfish, marlin, siki, shark and lamprey.
Listeriosis
Listeriosis is an disease transmitted by a resistant bacteria found in soil, vegetation and water. To protect yourself, you should not eat risky foods, and follow certain rules during food preparation and handling. The infection then can be transmitted to the fetus, that may lead to premature delivery or miscarriage. High risk products are raw milk or products made from raw milk (raw milk cheeses), soft cheeses (brie, camembert,…), delicatessen products, rillettes and pâtés, foie gras, smoked or raw fish and seafood products (so not raw or smoked white tuna), raw or undercooked meat, cooked dishes that have been in the fridge for too long,…Listeria is a bacterium killed by pasteurization and cooking. To protect yourself from listeriosis, cook your food sufficiently and do not eat risky foods.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a disease, linked to a parasite found in soil and meat. Toxoplasmosis will sometimes also be transmitted by cats and their poop. Many women have been infected with toxoplasmosis and have developed antibodies. However, some women don’t have these antibodies and as a result will have to follow some food hygiene rules during their pregnancy. Human contamination can happen in three ways, either by eating undercooked meat or fish, or by eating food contaminated (raw vegetables) with cat feces. Here are some advice to avoid being infected with toxoplasmosis when you are pregnant. Wash your hands very often, specifically if you have prepared raw meat, earth or raw vegetables. Do not rub your eyes while touching raw meat. Eat well-cooked meat and fish and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
Conclusion
At last, it may be possible to eat sardine while pregnant but in some forms. You can explore for a food in our search bar for pregnant women.