When you get pregnant, you probably have a lot of questions, and one of the most frequent ones is whether you can and should consume seafood.
The answer to this question? It varies.
On the one hand, seafood that has been grilled or broiled is a wonderful source of lean protein and is also rich in brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Your filet of the sole may, however, be packed with something other than bread. In fact, it might be awash in toxins, parasites, and mercury.
Do you want a salad or soup with that? Or are you totally out of food?
Knowing that nobody could blame you if, the next time you’re contemplating your selections at the deli counter, you decide to go with fake crab.
Right, it offers the best of both worlds. You can enjoy seafood’s health advantages without the poisons, right?
Or would you? From what imitation crab actually is to when it’s safe to consume, here is the lowdown on eating it while pregnant.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ When given the option, choose the actual crab.
✅ Consuming foods strong in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins are not only safe but also very beneficial to health.
✅ However, as imitation crab meat doesn’t actually include any crab, the same cannot be stated about it.
✅ However, there is nothing wrong with eating imitation crab if you have no other option or simply enjoy it.
✅ As long as the dish is prepared with low-mercury fish and all other components are fully cooked, it is completely safe.
What is crab imitation?
Right start, let’s be clear: imitation crab isn’t actually crab. not even a bit, like. Fish paste, seasonings, starch, egg whites, and crab flavor are all combined in this dish. Typically, pollock is the kind of fish utilized to generate the fish paste known as surimi that is used to create imitation crab flesh.
Is it safe?
Every form of seafood must answer the following two questions when consumed during pregnancy: Has it been cooked, and if so, is it low in mercury? It is safe to consume imitation crab flesh while pregnant because it satisfies both criteria.
Because it contains less mercury and may be consumed in moderation during pregnancy, pollock is the fish of choice for producers of imitation crab meat (two or three servings per week
Several other fish species are also, however shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and a few others should not be eaten if they have been added to your crab flesh. However, pregnant women shouldn’t consume any raw fish.
Despite the fact that your imitation crab meat has already been cooked, if it has been incorporated into a seafood meal (such as sushi or stuffed lobster), you must ensure that everything has been thoroughly cooked before eating it. What about that California roll that had faux crab inside but raw tuna on top? It’s off-limits.
You face the danger of eating bacteria (or parasites) that could give you a severe illness if you eat raw fish or meat. (You have a weakened immune system while pregnant.)
Advantages of fake crab during pregnancy
Imitation crab flesh doesn’t actually provide any nutritional benefits, to be honest. Real crab flesh is also regarded as healthy seafood during pregnancy due to its high protein, omega-3 fatty acid content, and vitamin D and A content.
However, the imitation material is just that: an imitation. You don’t get to enjoy such advantages here. However, the meal that you are eating is at least a low-fat diet, has a very low mercury content, is reasonably priced and practical, and is always cooked in advance and pasteurized and safe to eat.
Imitation crab during your pregnancy
There is no significant risk to eating fake crab meat as long as the meal has been cooked and stored appropriately. But there are still better options available.
The following are some risks of consuming imitation crab while expecting:
- At 6 grams per 3 oz serving, imitation crab meat from Trusted Source contains less protein than crab flesh.
- While both crab flesh and imitation crab tend to have a lot of salt, the sodium in imitation crab meat is added during processing.
- It often includes a long list of inert components with little nutritional value. Instead, they retain the meat, give it flavor and color, and enhance its texture. This includes everything from synthetic sweeteners and colors to preservatives.
Other things to consider
Unless you’re eating imitation crab flesh straight from the package (yuck! ), keep in mind that you’ll need to be careful about what else you’re eating in the dish. For instance, when eating sushi, you must pay close attention to the other ingredients and if they are thoroughly cooked.
Furthermore, just because the imitation crab is properly cooked doesn’t imply it will stay fresh on the shelf. Never leave it out for longer than 1-2 hours; it should always be kept refrigerated or in the fridge. A package should also be consumed within three days of being opened. We assure you that the risk of food illness when you’re pregnant isn’t worth it, so throw anything that smells or appears to be “odd” away.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask the server or chef what ingredients were used to make the imitation crab if you’re eating out. Again, pollock is frequently the culprit, but it’s a good idea to confirm that no high mercury substances were used in its preparation.