Yes, you can eat lobster while pregnant, but you need to be careful. You can get food poisoning from undercooked seafood, which can be extremely dangerous for an unborn baby. It is also important to be aware that some medications are not safe for lactating or pregnant women. Therefore, prevention is better than cure. Besides, lobster is very low in nutritional value. One serving contains only 0.03% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. These are based on a diet of 2000 calories.
Can pregnant women eat lobster? The good news is that most types of seafood, including crab and lobster, are safe to eat while you’re pregnant. So, go ahead and order that lobster dinner just avoid rare seafood like sushi and undercooked fish.
Unless the obstetrician says otherwise
If you are planning to eat lobster while you are pregnant, you should consult with your obstetrician first to be sure it is safe. Despite the high level of mercury in lobsters, you can safely eat them if the obstetrician approves. However, you should make sure to avoid the green tomalley, which has a higher concentration of mercury. Also, make sure you choose lobster that weighs at least one and a half pounds. It is also advisable to avoid the big lobsters, as these are older and not as tender. It is recommended that you look for a lobster that weighs between one and a half pounds, so that it is not too hard for you to handle.
The federal health agencies recommend that pregnant women eat two to three servings of fish per week. Low-mercury options include salmon, flounder, and canned light tuna. Moderate-mercury options include halibut, snapper, and albacore tuna.
In moderation
Lobster is safe for pregnant women to eat in moderation, although there are a few caveats to be aware of. Raw or undercooked lobster may contain harmful bacteria that can harm a developing baby. You should also avoid eating lobster thermidor, a French dish with lobster meat and raw egg yolks. This dish also contains heavy cream, Gruyere cheese, alcohol, and other ingredients that are not healthy for a pregnant woman to ingest.
While seafood is not generally off-limits for pregnancy, crab and lobster are not exactly low -calorie options. Lobster and crab are available in seafood restaurants throughout the world and can be expensive. Regardless of the price, however, it’s still a good idea to limit your lobster and crab consumption. Lobster and crab can contain dangerous pathogens and chemicals that can harm your unborn baby. In addition, pregnant women are at an increased risk of food poisoning, which is why you should always check with your healthcare provider before consuming any seafood while pregnant.
Unless the mercury levels are too high
As long as lobster is cooked thoroughly and it doesn’t contain a high mercury level, pregnant women can enjoy it. As a source of lean protein, lobster is also a good source of iron and several minerals. While it contains a high level of dietary cholesterol, lobster is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. If you’re unsure whether you can eat lobster while pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider.
Although lobster is safe for pregnant women, some fish are not, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. If you’re pregnant, you should avoid fish and seafood with a high mercury level, as these fish can cause birth defects. Unless the mercury levels are too high, you can safely consume lobster and crab during your pregnancy.
The Children of the 90s study followed pregnant women between 1991 and 1992 and their children. The study also looked at how much fish pregnant women should eat, but the findings were mixed. While there’s no hard and fast rule, pregnant women should limit their fish intake to eight to 12 ounces a week. If you’re not sure, look for fish with a low mercury content.
Ultimately, guidelines for pregnant women differ from place to place, and this means that you’ll have to consult your doctor if you want to be completely certain which seafood is safe to eat. If you do eat lobster and other shellfish while you’re pregnant, don’t worry too much about consuming a little extra mercury. The benefits of eating seafood in general far outweigh the risks.