I know that sushi is a no go while pregnant. My question is what part of sushi makes it such a no go whilst pregnant?
If it because of the risk of it sitting around for ages? What if they make it fresh in front of you?
Is it the seafood types of sushi? Are the chicken or avocado and cucumber ones safe?
The reason I ask is because i go out for sushi twice a week with the girls at Work and when I do get pregnant I just don't know how I'm going to avoid it without them guessing i am pregnant. I could bring my lunch as much as I remember but I try to do that now and forget most of the time. I am just wondering if it is really as bad as everyone says it is and if so why.. Any advice would be much appreciated!

My understanding is that it is the rice part that is no go. Rice is actually one of the easiest foods to get food poisoning from, however it doesn't pose a risk if you cook it and then eat it immediately, which most people would do if they were eating it with a meal, so there's no need to warn all pregnant women to stay away from rice. With sushi, obviously the rice hasn't only just been cooked (it's had time to cool and then there is the time that it takes for the sushi to be prepared), so it isn't safe.

I had always assumed that it was the seafood in sushi that made it unsafe while pregnant, and it was only through talking to my Sri Lankan friends (obviously rice makes up quite a large part of their diets) that I found this out!

ETA in NZ we have a series of supermarket TV ads which air during the news each night telling people how to cook certain things, and one of them recently has been dedicated to teaching people how to store leftover rice safely!

My understanding is that it is the rice part that is no go. Rice is actually one of the easiest foods to get food poisoning from, however it doesn't pose a risk if you cook it and then eat it immediately, which most people would do if they were eating it with a meal, so there's no need to warn all pregnant women to stay away from rice. With sushi, obviously the rice hasn't only just been cooked (it's had time to cool and then there is the time that it takes for the sushi to be prepared), so it isn't safe.

I had always assumed that it was the seafood in sushi that made it unsafe while pregnant, and it was only through talking to my Sri Lankan friends (obviously rice makes up quite a large part of their diets) that I found this out!

ETA in NZ we have a series of supermarket TV ads which air during the news each night telling people how to cook certain things, and one of them recently has been dedicated to teaching people how to store leftover rice safely!

Thanks Izzys mum. I've only just found out in the last few months that it is so easy to get food poisoning from rice. I would never have thought of it otherwise. So that makes total sense now. I've always thought it was something to do with seafood.
That's a good idea with the adds - I've prob given myself food poisoning from rice before because I've never really bothered to worry about it. I'm def gonna miss my sushi when I'm pregnant!

wow I just read this thread and I feel surprised, because I ate sushi while I was pregnant, I thought it was safe as long as I avoid to eat the uncooked one (Raw salmon/tuna), so I ate either grilled chicken, vegetarian, cooked tuna and unagi (cooked eel)... But I asked w/o mayonnaise though... I also loved sushi.. especially Raw salmon.. but have to hold back while I was pregnant.. and I ate a lot of rice till I can't remember..(not from sushi though)
if you have any doubt you can ask your obstetrician during your visit
best of luck

Wow I agree with PP too... I have Coeliac Disease (cant eat wheat etc) so sushi is my Maccas & I ate it while I was pregnant too (also staying away from the raw ones)
BTW did you know lettuce is also a massive source of Listeriosis (sp??)??? Thats why Aus hospitals have stopped putting on thier menus!!!! & you should also avoid raw mushroom when Pregnant for the same reason!! (just a bit of random trivia blink )

Wow I agree with PP too... I have Coeliac Disease (cant eat wheat etc) so sushi is my Maccas & I ate it while I was pregnant too (also staying away from the raw ones)
BTW did you know lettuce is also a massive source of Listeriosis (sp??)??? Thats why Aus hospitals have stopped putting on thier menus!!!! & you should also avoid raw mushroom when Pregnant for the same reason!! (just a bit of random trivia blink )

Wow I agree with PP too... I have Coeliac Disease (cant eat wheat etc) so sushi is my Maccas & I ate it while I was pregnant too (also staying away from the raw ones)
BTW did you know lettuce is also a massive source of Listeriosis (sp??)??? Thats why Aus hospitals have stopped putting on thier menus!!!! & you should also avoid raw mushroom when Pregnant for the same reason!! (just a bit of random trivia blink )

holy crap... Sorry all, dont know what happened here.. only posted once!!

Sushi was the one thing I didnt touch while pregnant only because I once got food poisoning from it and ended up in hospital for 3 days gasp Its usually the rice that is most likely to make you sick

we made it ourselves so then we new the rice was fresh and the chicken etc was well cooked. tasted good, until my morning/ afternoon/evening sickness kicked in then not so much.
Its super easy to make so you could take your own (if you don't dine in) and just say its a cost cutting measure.
or I know our sushi place does Bunito (sp) boxes - that doesn't have any rice.

wow I just read this thread and I feel surprised, because I ate sushi while I was pregnant, I thought it was safe as long as I avoid to eat the uncooked one (Raw salmon/tuna), so I ate either grilled chicken, vegetarian, cooked tuna and unagi (cooked eel)... But I asked w/o mayonnaise though... I also loved sushi.. especially Raw salmon.. but have to hold back while I was pregnant.. and I ate a lot of rice till I can't remember..(not from sushi though)
if you have any doubt you can ask your obstetrician during your visit
best of luck

That's what I thought until reading this about the rice being the no-go. Oh well, will ask the doc when I get preg smile Thanks smile

Wow I agree with PP too... I have Coeliac Disease (cant eat wheat etc) so sushi is my Maccas & I ate it while I was pregnant too (also staying away from the raw ones)
BTW did you know lettuce is also a massive source of Listeriosis (sp??)??? Thats why Aus hospitals have stopped putting on thier menus!!!! & you should also avoid raw mushroom when Pregnant for the same reason!! (just a bit of random trivia blink )

I have coeliac too so I don't really have any other lunchtime dining out options.. hmmm wow I think I need to avoid everything whilst pregnant by the looks of it!

Sushi was the one thing I didnt touch while pregnant only because I once got food poisoning from it and ended up in hospital for 3 days gasp Its usually the rice that is most likely to make you sick

Not good, I will only eat it from one place because I watch them make it fresh. Thanks for your reply

we made it ourselves so then we new the rice was fresh and the chicken etc was well cooked. tasted good, until my morning/ afternoon/evening sickness kicked in then not so much.
Its super easy to make so you could take your own (if you don't dine in) and just say its a cost cutting measure.
or I know our sushi place does Bunito (sp) boxes - that doesn't have any rice.

Thanks, the place I go to is just sushi but I will just have to remember to bring my lunch!

From what my doctor told me its everything in the sushi, doesnt matter whats in it. Bcoz the rice sits all the fillings are pre-cut and are sitting around which causes listeria virus which can be fatal to both mum and baby. Thats why you shouldnt eat anything from a deli or even subway bcoz it all sits pre-prepared

Yeah I'm having bad withdrawals from sushi lol. I went to a sushi place as soon as it opened and only got a chicken one. I figured first thing in the morning it would be pretty fresh. I used to eat sashimi multiple times a week. I reckon I'll be sitting in the birthing suite yelling at someone to bring me sushi hahahaha.

I thought it was the raw fish that was a no-go blink

Lucky for me, hubby makes the best sushi at home... so I'll get him to make me plain sushi with avo and cucumber if/when I'm pregnant next YUMYUM!

I have had sushi a few times when pregnant, but only from a reputable place that I know makes it fresh daily and never reuses it the next day. And as an added precaution I steer clear of the raw fish (salmon, tuna etc) and only eat the california/cooked tuna/veggie rolls. I was also told that the rice vinegar used in the rice kills any potential nasties in it. I will never eat sushi from the standard sushi stalls that have it sitting out for most of the day.

Wow I agree with PP too... I have Coeliac Disease (cant eat wheat etc) so sushi is my Maccas & I ate it while I was pregnant too (also staying away from the raw ones)
BTW did you know lettuce is also a massive source of Listeriosis (sp??)??? Thats why Aus hospitals have stopped putting on thier menus!!!! & you should also avoid raw mushroom when Pregnant for the same reason!! (just a bit of random trivia blink )

As they say, you learn something new everyday.

I was unaware that lettuce and uncooked mushrooms were a risk. Is the lettuce ok to eat if it is washed ?

Any other random foods people can share ?

From what my doctor told me its everything in the sushi, doesnt matter whats in it. Bcoz the rice sits all the fillings are pre-cut and are sitting around which causes listeria virus which can be fatal to both mum and baby. Thats why you shouldnt eat anything from a deli or even subway bcoz it all sits pre-prepared

What if the sushi is made fresh in front of your eyes?

Yeah I'm having bad withdrawals from sushi lol. I went to a sushi place as soon as it opened and only got a chicken one. I figured first thing in the morning it would be pretty fresh. I used to eat sashimi multiple times a week. I reckon I'll be sitting in the birthing suite yelling at someone to bring me sushi hahahaha.

Yeah I'm going to have severe withdrawals when pregnant!

I thought it was the raw fish that was a no-go blink
Yeah it seems everyone thinks its a different part of the sushi that's bad. It has got me wondering but I will definetely clarify with my doctor when I of get pregnant.
Lucky for me, hubby makes the best sushi at home... so I'll get him to make me plain sushi with avo and cucumber if/when I'm pregnant next YUMYUM!

Yum lucky girl!

I have had sushi a few times when pregnant, but only from a reputable place that I know makes it fresh daily and never reuses it the next day. And as an added precaution I steer clear of the raw fish (salmon, tuna etc) and only eat the california/cooked tuna/veggie rolls. I was also told that the rice vinegar used in the rice kills any potential nasties in it. I will never eat sushi from the standard sushi stalls that have it sitting out for most of the day.

Yeah this is a very reputable place that makes it fresh in from In front of you. Interesting, thanks will definetely talk to my doctor about it I think. I won't eat sushi from anywhere but this one place anyway. It tastes gross from anywhere else!

As they say, you learn something new everyday.

I was unaware that lettuce and uncooked mushrooms were a risk. Is the lettuce ok to eat if it is washed ?

Any other random foods people can share ?

It sounds like most things are dangerous whilst pregnant!

I used to work in the food/hospitality industry & learnt a lot about food, correct storage, longevity of raw & prepared foods & their associated risks.

It is recommended that bought sushi is avoided during pregnancy. Make it yourself by all means, but avoid anything else. The rice is the main listeria culprit, but the other ingredients are just as likely to cause problems too.

Even having something made 'fresh' in front of you is not safe. As others have said, you have not seen the rice be cooked, how it is stored etc, nor any of the other ingredients.

Coleslaw is another huge risk. Again, make it yourself. But leftovers must be thrown out after 24 hours if not consumed. Contaminated coleslaw has caused deaths in the past.

I won't touch Subway at the best of times due to the constant cross contamination I've witnessed. It is a disaster waiting to happen & they all seem to operate in the same manner.

You can find lists of foods & beverages to avoid while pregnant on the net, or possibly on this site somewhere.

Once I learnt there were foods to avoid, if I wasn't sure of something, I stood by my motto. If in doubt, leave it out. smile

Wishing you all the best with your pregnancy too.

You cant eat the pre cooked roast chickens that you buy fron coles woolies and fish and chip shops, soft cheeses like brie and feta pretty much anything out of the deli

http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_Documents/consumer_pdf/pregnancy-brochure.pdf

I am another one learing something new. I thought it was the raw seafood and the possibility it could be prepared on the same board as other foods that mad eit unsafe but i did a google and it is the rice that has been cooked then cooled that causes the problems. I avoid all the ones I am told to avoid and hav e alittle bed side party once the baby is out with all my favorite foods like salami, smoked salmon and sushi.

Another thing to be careful of is at deli counters make sure they cut any cold meats from a clean cutter. I was served after someone who had salami cut an she went to cut it on the same one without cleaning it down first. Sort of defeats the purpose of avoiding things if the person serving you is carless. (also works for people preparing food with gloves who then take money from you with the gloved hand then go back to touching the food. So gross)

If in doubt you can talk to your OB. Good Luck

I am another one learing something new. I thought it was the raw seafood and the possibility it could be prepared on the same board as other foods that mad eit unsafe but i did a google and it is the rice that has been cooked then cooled that causes the problems. I avoid all the ones I am told to avoid and hav e alittle bed side party once the baby is out with all my favorite foods like salami, smoked salmon and sushi.

Another thing to be careful of is at deli counters make sure they cut any cold meats from a clean cutter. I was served after someone who had salami cut an she went to cut it on the same one without cleaning it down first. Sort of defeats the purpose of avoiding things if the person serving you is carless. (also works for people preparing food with gloves who then take money from you with the gloved hand then go back to touching the food. So gross)

If in doubt you can talk to your OB. Good Luck

Thanks for your reply smile

I used to work in the food/hospitality industry & learnt a lot about food, correct storage, longevity of raw & prepared foods & their associated risks.

It is recommended that bought sushi is avoided during pregnancy. Make it yourself by all means, but avoid anything else. The rice is the main listeria culprit, but the other ingredients are just as likely to cause problems too.

Even having something made 'fresh' in front of you is not safe. As others have said, you have not seen the rice be cooked, how it is stored etc, nor any of the other ingredients.

Coleslaw is another huge risk. Again, make it yourself. But leftovers must be thrown out after 24 hours if not consumed. Contaminated coleslaw has caused deaths in the past.

I won't touch Subway at the best of times due to the constant cross contamination I've witnessed. It is a disaster waiting to happen & they all seem to operate in the same manner.

You can find lists of foods & beverages to avoid while pregnant on the net, or possibly on this site somewhere.

Once I learnt there were foods to avoid, if I wasn't sure of something, I stood by my motto. If in doubt, leave it out. smile

Wishing you all the best with your pregnancy too.

Thanks!

You cant eat the pre cooked roast chickens that you buy fron coles woolies and fish and chip shops, soft cheeses like brie and feta pretty much anything out of the deli

I don't eat those chickens anyway, thanks!

http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_Documents/consumer_pdf/pregnancy-brochure.pdf

To for that Cruxy

ok so after reading all this stuff on sushi i had a major craving for it and just had to have some so went to safeway got what i needed and made my own and i must say, 'dam it tasted good'
i cooled the rice in the fridge so i hope that was ok,