Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen It’s Safe to EatShrimp SourcingNutrientsSeafood to Avoid
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When It’s Safe to Eat
Shrimp Sourcing
Nutrients
Seafood to Avoid
Certain types of food are not safe for pregnant people to eat. Fortunately,shrimpis still on the menu. Most pregnant people can safely enjoy fully cooked shrimp and other seafood, like salmon, canned tuna, and cod.
However, raw and partially cooked shrimp are not safe during pregnancy. Shrimp is low inmercury, a metal linked to congenital disabilities such ascerebral palsy, memory, fine motor skills, and cognitive thinking.
This article will provide guidelines for eating shrimp while pregnant and list which types to avoid.
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A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female” and “woman” as the sources use them. This article is for all pregnant people regardless of which gender they identify with.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female” and “woman” as the sources use them. This article is for all pregnant people regardless of which gender they identify with.
Eating Shrimp Safely While Pregnant
Cooked shrimp is safe for most pregnant people to eat when cooked thoroughly to 145 degrees F.Raw shrimp can contain parasites and bacteria likelisteria. These organisms can lead to serious illness in pregnant people and their babies.
Pregnant people can also eat shrimp cooked in a casserole heated to 165 degrees F. However, avoiding other types of refrigerated seafood is essential unless it’s in a cooked dish.
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Does Shrimp Sourcing Matter?
When shopping for shrimp, you may notice there are farm-raised and wild-caught options. Wild-caught shrimp is sourced from a natural habitat like the ocean. Farm-raised shrimp is sourced from a large tank or human-made pond.
Most shrimp available in the United States is farmed in and imported from other countries. Shrimp is considered a low-mercury seafood, and farm-raised and wild-caught shrimp are both considered safe for most pregnant people.
To buy sustainably sourced shrimp (shrimp that is grown and harvested in a way that is socially, economically, and environmentally responsible), look for a certification from the following organizations:
A Word From VerywellAvoid foods undercooked, raw, and high in mercury in pregnancy. Bring a list of seafood dishes you typically eat to your next prenatal appointment to review what is safe for you.—RENITA WHITE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Avoid foods undercooked, raw, and high in mercury in pregnancy. Bring a list of seafood dishes you typically eat to your next prenatal appointment to review what is safe for you.—RENITA WHITE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Avoid foods undercooked, raw, and high in mercury in pregnancy. Bring a list of seafood dishes you typically eat to your next prenatal appointment to review what is safe for you.
—RENITA WHITE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Shrimp Nutrients That Support Pregnancy
In addition to brain development, the essential mineraliodine contributes to thyroid health. The body needsiodinefrom the diet to produce thyroid hormones.Thyroid hormones help to regulate the brain and nervous system development in fetuses.
Shrimp containsselenium, a mineral naturally found in water. Consuming selenium-rich foods during pregnancy may lower the risk ofmiscarriageandpremature birth.
Shrimp is also rich in protein, an important nutrient for pregnant people.During pregnancy, your body needs more lean protein from your diet.
Experts recommend that pregnant people and people who arebreastfeedingconsume 8 to 12 ounces of low-mercury seafood per week.In addition to shrimp, it is safe to incorporate the following types of fish into your diet:
Seafood to Avoid During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is important to avoid seafood that is high in mercury to prevent the possibility of congenital disabilities in the fetus.
Avoid fish that may contain dangerous mercury levels, including:
In addition to high-mercury seafood, plan to avoid fish that has not been thoroughly cooked. This includes raw seafood such as:
Do not consume any refrigerated seafood. Look for labels like “nova-style,” “lox,” “kippered,” “smoked,” or “jerky.”
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Summary
Shrimp are low in mercury and are safe for most pregnant people to eat. Make sure the shrimp is fully cooked to 145 degrees F and has not been left out at room temperature for too long. To prevent listeria, avoid shrimp that has not been thoroughly cooked. Avoid all raw seafood preparations, including sushi, sashimi, and ceviche, during pregnancy.
When pregnant or breastfeeding, do not consume any seafood that has high mercury levels. This includes shark, swordfish, and tilefish. Ask your healthcare provider any questions you have.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bernhoft RA.Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature.J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:460508. doi:10.1155/2012/460508U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Health effects of exposures to mercury.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Selecting and serving fresh and frozen seafood safely.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria.People at risk.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.People at risk: Pregnant women.Dack K, Fell M, Taylor CM, Havdahl A, Lewis SJ.Prenatal mercury exposure and neurodevelopment up to the age of 5 years: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):1976. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19041976GRACE Communications Foundation. FoodPrint.What you need to know about wild and farmed shrimp.Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.Sustainable shrimp guide.Hibbeln JR, Spiller P, Brenna JT, et al.Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2019;151:14-36. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2019.10.002National Institutes of Health.Iodine.Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Duntas L, Gilis-Januszewska A.Pregnancy, thyroid, and the potential use of selenium.Hormones. 2020;19(1):47-53. doi:10.1007/s42000-019-00144-2U.S. Department of Agriculture.Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked.Elango R, Ball RO.Protein and amino acid requirements during pregnancy.Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal. 2016;7(4). doi:10.3945/an.115.011817U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Advice about eating fish.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Safer food choices for pregnant people.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bernhoft RA.Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature.J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:460508. doi:10.1155/2012/460508U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Health effects of exposures to mercury.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Selecting and serving fresh and frozen seafood safely.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria.People at risk.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.People at risk: Pregnant women.Dack K, Fell M, Taylor CM, Havdahl A, Lewis SJ.Prenatal mercury exposure and neurodevelopment up to the age of 5 years: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):1976. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19041976GRACE Communications Foundation. FoodPrint.What you need to know about wild and farmed shrimp.Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.Sustainable shrimp guide.Hibbeln JR, Spiller P, Brenna JT, et al.Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2019;151:14-36. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2019.10.002National Institutes of Health.Iodine.Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Duntas L, Gilis-Januszewska A.Pregnancy, thyroid, and the potential use of selenium.Hormones. 2020;19(1):47-53. doi:10.1007/s42000-019-00144-2U.S. Department of Agriculture.Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked.Elango R, Ball RO.Protein and amino acid requirements during pregnancy.Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal. 2016;7(4). doi:10.3945/an.115.011817U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Advice about eating fish.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Safer food choices for pregnant people.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bernhoft RA.Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature.J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:460508. doi:10.1155/2012/460508U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Health effects of exposures to mercury.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Selecting and serving fresh and frozen seafood safely.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria.People at risk.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.People at risk: Pregnant women.Dack K, Fell M, Taylor CM, Havdahl A, Lewis SJ.Prenatal mercury exposure and neurodevelopment up to the age of 5 years: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):1976. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19041976GRACE Communications Foundation. FoodPrint.What you need to know about wild and farmed shrimp.Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.Sustainable shrimp guide.Hibbeln JR, Spiller P, Brenna JT, et al.Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2019;151:14-36. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2019.10.002National Institutes of Health.Iodine.Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Duntas L, Gilis-Januszewska A.Pregnancy, thyroid, and the potential use of selenium.Hormones. 2020;19(1):47-53. doi:10.1007/s42000-019-00144-2U.S. Department of Agriculture.Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked.Elango R, Ball RO.Protein and amino acid requirements during pregnancy.Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal. 2016;7(4). doi:10.3945/an.115.011817U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Advice about eating fish.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Safer food choices for pregnant people.
Bernhoft RA.Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature.J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:460508. doi:10.1155/2012/460508
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Health effects of exposures to mercury.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Selecting and serving fresh and frozen seafood safely.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Listeria.People at risk.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.People at risk: Pregnant women.
Dack K, Fell M, Taylor CM, Havdahl A, Lewis SJ.Prenatal mercury exposure and neurodevelopment up to the age of 5 years: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):1976. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19041976
GRACE Communications Foundation. FoodPrint.What you need to know about wild and farmed shrimp.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.Sustainable shrimp guide.
Hibbeln JR, Spiller P, Brenna JT, et al.Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2019;151:14-36. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2019.10.002
National Institutes of Health.Iodine.
Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Duntas L, Gilis-Januszewska A.Pregnancy, thyroid, and the potential use of selenium.Hormones. 2020;19(1):47-53. doi:10.1007/s42000-019-00144-2
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked.
Elango R, Ball RO.Protein and amino acid requirements during pregnancy.Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal. 2016;7(4). doi:10.3945/an.115.011817
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Advice about eating fish.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Safer food choices for pregnant people.
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