Can Pregnant Women Eat Crab?

Expectant moms often wonder about what’s on the menu for them. Seafood sometimes gets a mixed review. Some say it’s fine and dandy, while others think it’s playing with fire. The secret ingredient? It’s all about the kind and amount you munch on.

Crab is safe and beneficial to eat in moderation during pregnancy, provided it is completely cooked. It is safest if you cook it yourself, but if you are eating out be sure to ask about other seafood in your meal, as well as request the crab be thoroughly cooked.

Seafood is a great source of protein and other nutrients. In fact, it contains essential vitamins and minerals that pregnant women need. However, some types of seafood contain high levels of mercury or PCBs, which can harm unborn babies.

Mercury is a heavy metal found naturally in the environment. It’s also present in fish, shellfish, and other seafood. Mercury exposure can damage developing brains and nervous systems in fetuses and infants.

PCBs are man-made chemicals that were used to make plastics and pesticides. They have been banned for decades, but traces may still be found in the food supply.

Studies show that eating large amounts of PCBs during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida (a hole in the spine) and heart abnormalities.

The good news is that you don’t have to avoid all seafood when you become pregnant. You just need to know what kind of seafood is safest for your baby.

Should You Avoid Eating Crab When Pregnant?

Crab is one of the most popular seafood choices among pregnant women. This tasty crustacean has long been considered nutritious because it provides healthy fats, proteins, and iron. 

The rule for eating crab when pregnant is that it needs to be cooked. Pregnant women should not consume raw crab. Cooked crab is considered to be one of the best kinds of seafood that pregnant women can eat.

If you do choose to eat crab, limit yourself to only two servings per week. That means no more than 6 ounces each time. If you want to get really creative with crab, try making crab cakes.

Should You Avoid Eating Imitation Crab When Pregnant? 

Imitation crab is something pregnant women also wonder if they can eat. After all, it can be quite confusing figuring out what you can and cannot eat. The good news is that most imitation crab is cooked. This means it should be safe for pregnant women to eat. 

However, it would be a good idea to check the ingredients to see if there is any raw food in the imitation crab that you are buying. 

If you are considering eating imitation crab over cooked crab then you should know they do not have the same nutritional value. Imitation crab lacks the omega-3 fatty acids that cooked crab has. So, if you are looking for a healthier alternative, go with cooked crab instead.

Is There Any Seafood You Can Eat During Your First Trimester?

As long as you stick to low doses of seafood, it is generally fine to consume some during your first trimester.

These are the kinds of seafood that are safe to eat.

Fish: Salmon, sardines, pacific mackerel, cod, tuna, and herring

Shellfish: Oysters, mussels, shrimp, kinds of seafood, scallops, lobster. 

The important thing to remember is that these are safe to eat when pregnant if they are cooked thoroughly. It is safest if you cook it yourself so that you can be sure that it has been cooked all the way through.

What Seafood Should You Avoid During Pregnancy? 

There are certain types of seafood that are known to cause problems for unborn babies. These include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and bluefin tuna.

Sharks, swordfish, and king mackerel are predatory fish. Their meat contains high levels of mercury which can harm an unborn baby.

Tilefish and bluefin tuna contain high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs. These chemicals are toxic to humans.

What You Can And Cannot Eat When Pregnant

When you are pregnant, you need to take extra care about what you put into your body. It is especially important to pay attention to what you eat. Here are some tips on what you can and cannot safely eat while pregnant.

Avoid Raw Food

When it comes to seafood, there is one rule that pregnant women should follow to have a healthy diet, which is don\’t eat raw seafood.

Raw seafood is full of bacteria that can make you sick. In fact, raw seafood can even increase the risk of miscarriage through the complications that come with eating raw seafood. 

So, if you are thinking about trying sushi during pregnancy, think again. Sushi is made from raw seafood.

Eat Small Portions Of Fish

Another tip to keep in mind is that you should always eat small portions of fish. Too much fish could lead to birth defects.

So, how many times a day should you eat fish? How much fish should you eat per week? It is best not to consume more than 12 ounces of fish per week. It is recommended that pregnant women eat at least two servings of fish each week. 

Eat A Variety Of Fish

If you are going to eat seafood during your pregnancy then it is a good idea to eat a variety of fish. Not only does this help you get the nutrients you need but it helps you avoid getting too much mercury. 

Go With The Safe Choice Of Fish

One way to ensure that you are consuming enough seafood is by choosing fish that is considered safe to eat. This includes salmon, sardines, Pacific mackerel, cod,

Be Safe When Handling Fish

You should also be careful when handling fish. Make sure that you wash your hands before you handle any kind of food. Also, make sure that you use gloves when you are cutting up fish.

Use Proper Storage Methods For Fish

Make sure that you store all of your fresh fish properly so that it will last longer. If you freeze your fish, make sure that you thaw it slowly.

Final Thoughts

So yes, it is safe to eat cooked crab during pregnancy. But as mentioned earlier, there are certain types of seafood which you should avoid. So, make sure that you choose wisely.

When it comes to eating seafood during pregnancy, it is just something that you should do with caution.

It is very important to eat well while you are pregnant because it has been proven that a poor diet can affect both mother and child.

Remember, it is okay to enjoy seafood as long as you know what to watch out for. Remember to check with your doctor before making changes to your diet.