While pregnant, mussels are one of the meals that many women enjoy. A nutritious meal may include this shellfish, which is often prepared by steaming it in its shell.
But pregnant women have specific dietary requirements, and they must steer clear of certain foods and substances while their babies are still growing and developing. So every woman should be careful about what can pregnant women eat.
You may be wondering whether it is safe to eat mussels during pregnancy.
This article on Hipregnancy covers all you need to know about eating mussels when pregnant. Keep reading to learn more!
Can you eat mussels while pregnant?
When it comes to pregnancy, one of the most common concerns that women have is, “can pregnant women eat mussels during pregnancy?” ” what to do when craving mussels during pregnancy?” The good news is that eating mussels during pregnancy is safe, but the food must first be properly cleaned and then prepared.
Because mussels are filter feeders, they are home to a wide variety of microorganisms, some of which include Echinococcus species and Toxoplasma gondii. This danger is present in both mussels that are farmed and those that are captured in the wild.
To prepare mussels properly while pregnant, they must first be cleaned in warm soapy water and then steamed until their shells split apart. After cooking, open shells on the mussels are a reliable indicator that they have been cooked through.
Also Read: sole fish pregnancy
Mussels’ benefits during pregnancy
Because of their relatively tiny size, oysters and mussels pack a significant nutritional punch. We should include them on the positive aspects of consuming mussels while pregnant.
Fatty acids are abundant, and mussels are an excellent source of iron, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin C, and vitamin B12.
Oysters and mussels are an excellent choice for pregnant women who want to consume something rich in protein and low in fat since this makes them a highly nutritious food option, whether steamed or included in a salad.
Also read: shellfish during pregnancy
Do mussels have mercury?
When pregnant women consume seafood, there is a significant risk that their unborn child may be exposed to mercury at levels that are hazardous for humans.
The body readily absorbs mercury through seafood, and exposure to mercury during pregnancy may disrupt the development of the fetus and the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system.
This is the most crucial thing to understand about mussels while pregnant. The good news is that shellfish like oysters, clams, and mussels have deficient mercury levels compared to other seafood.
Can you eat mussels and calamari when pregnant?
In this part, we want to talk about mussels and calamari when pregnant. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calamari when pregnant is considered among the best seafood choices when pregnant.
It is also one of the seafood options that can be mentioned here. The quantity of mercury considered safe to eat in calamari is 0.024 parts per million (PPM), which substantially reduces the mercury levels found in sharks, swordfish, tuna, and marlin.
Eating cooked mussels while pregnant
You may ask, “can I eat cooked meussels while pregnant?” Let’s discuss.
Consuming raw mussels exposes you and your unborn child to the risk of microbial contamination, which may be detrimental to both of you. Because of this, ensuring that the mussels you consume are fresh and cooked adequately while pregnant is essential.
Mussels are considered fresh when their shells remain closed, indicating they live. When they are cooked, the shells split open.It is best to avoid eating dead mussels or mussels with shells that are cracked open before they are cooked.
Make sure you steam the mussels over medium-high heat for at least five minutes or until the mussels open up. After that, they can relax and take pleasure in whatever they want.
Also read: lobster while pregnant
Can you eat mussels and oysters while pregnant?
As we mentioned above, the quantities of mercury that may be found in oysters and mussels are, fortunately, relatively low. Because of this, the mussels and oysters while pregnant, could be part of the healthiest diet.
So when a woman is pregnant, is it OK to consume mussels and oysters? To answer your question, oyster consumption during pregnancy can be beneficial (and even healthy).
Can you eat mussels and clams when pregnant?
Consuming clams while pregnant is not dangerous in any way. Because it is on the list of fish with a relatively low amount of mercury, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it the proper meal.
In addition to this, it contains a significant quantity of vitamin B12, which is a substance that is critical to the health of your neurological system. Vitamin B12, when taken in conjunction with folic acid, has been shown to reduce the risk of a significant birth abnormality affecting the spinal cord called spina bifida.
Can I eat mussels in white wine sauce while pregnant?
Are you curious about whether it is safe for you to consume mussels in white wine sauce while pregnant?
Nevertheless, is it OK to have mussels dipped in white wine when pregnant? The correct response is “no,” you should not consume oysters and mussels soaked in white wine when pregnant.
There is a possibility of contracting an infection if oysters are drunk while accompanied by white wine.
The important note is that pregnant women should pay attention and get data about foods to avoid during pregnancy.
Mussels while pregnant
Consuming propperly cooked mussels while breastfeeding provides some heath benefits, including;
- Improving nursing infant’s nervous system development
- Bossting immune system of both mother and the baby
- Miantaining a healthy postpartum weight
It is best to consult your healthcare provider before including mussels in your postpartum diet to see how much you can have them.
The last words
Because pregnancy is one of the most delicate and essential times in a woman’s life, as we have discussed throughout the “mussels during pregnancy” article, she has to be extremely cautious about her dietary plan and everything else she eats for herself her unborn kid.
Because this cuisine has low mercury, it is safe for pregnant women to consume it. Additionally, because it includes a wide range of vitamins and minerals, it can benefit both the mother and the child.
However, it would be best to remember to never overindulge in any cuisine and always check your physician before ingesting anything.
We hope that the information that the Hipregnany team provided was helpful. Finally, we want you to share your experiences and any extra tips you know about mussels and pregnancy with us in the comment section.
FAQs
1. Can pregnant women eat mussels?
It is considered safe to eat mussels for pregnant women, but they should be thoroughly cooked.
2. Can you eat steamed mussels while pregnant?
Since steamed mussels are cooked all the way through, they can be added to your pregnancy diet.
3. Can you eat mussels in the third trimester?
Consuming cooked mussels in third trimester of pregnancy is safe, but you should moderate your intake to prevent any possible dangers. It is good to check what to eat in the third trimester!