Can Pregnant Women Eat Ceviche?

Can pregnant women eat ceviche? If you’re a fan of seafood, I am sure this is one of your food-related questions. Eating ceviche during pregnancy sounds delicious.

I like to write about different kinds of food during pregnancy because so many people like to make exceptions even though they shouldn’t.

Pregnancy is hard and it can be exhausting to avoid certain food. This is even harder when you truly like something or when you crave a certain food.

But, at the end of the day, your health, and your baby’s health are what matters. It’s important to read articles like this one, just to be sure that you’re not consuming something you shouldn’t.

If you’re interested in making food at home and doing some research, you will be able to enjoy most foods even if they’re not allowed.

It’s all about your effort and willingness to be flexible.

Can Pregnant Women Eat Ceviche? Is Ceviche Safe To Eat When Pregnant?

When it comes to answering the question – can pregnant women eat ceviche, the answer is a simple no.

However, this negative answer applies to the restaurant and store-bought ceviche.

Raw seafood, like octopus or clam chowder, is prohibited during pregnancy.

Ceviche is made from raw fish, and that’s why you should avoid it when pregnant. Remember, seafood can be consumed when pregnant if you cook it. It has to be cooked, fried, or baked.

You have to use high temperatures for cooking it well if you want to eat it.

Therefore, ceviche during pregnancy is allowed if you make an effort to prepare homemade ceviche.

Homemade, cooked ceviche while pregnant is allowed.

It’s not difficult at all, but you have to know that cooked seafood doesn’t taste the same as raw seafood. It’s great of course, but there is a difference.

Still, if I were you, I would try it. Buy everything you need and do your experiment. So, a modified answer to the question – can pregnant women eat ceviche, is yes, if they cook it well.

Pregnancy is a time when we wonder about food safety and we take certain precautions.

Questions like is ceviche safe to eat – are normal because future moms will search for every piece of information they need.

You can even eat prosciutto and pastrami during pregnancy if you make an effort to use high temperatures to prepare these foods.

Just like with these foods, eating raw ceviche while pregnant can cause listeriosis, because bacteria called Listeria can be present in seafood too.

What Is Ceviche?

Now that you know more about eating ceviche during pregnancy, it’s good to learn more about this popular dish.

Maybe you know something about it, and maybe you don’t know anything. It’s always fun to learn new facts about food.

Ceviche is a Latin American dish made from raw fish or seafood. It’s usually marinated for hours in juices like lemon or lime juice.

In some areas, they use a special marinade, but this one is the traditional one. Citrus juice is a great marinade for ceviche because it breaks down the proteins and the fish looks cooked.

However, citrus juice doesn’t kill viable bacteria like Listeria. Ceviche is often served as an appetizer, but it can be served as a main dish.

You can serve different side meals with ceviche – rice, potatoes, or vegetables.

To get the perfect ceviche, the marinade has to be seasoned. You can use different ingredients, but chili, cilantro, onions, and aji are essential.

Some recipes say that ceviche should be marinated for 24 hours. However, most modern recipes are all about marinating for only a few hours.

To make ceviche, you should use white fish – such as fluke, flounder, sea, bass, grouper, sole, mahi mahi, rockfish, and kingfish.

Some types of ceviche are made from shellfish and shrimp. As you can see, ceviche is not hard to prepare at all.

This dish is very healthy. As you know, fish is filled with protein, vitamins, and healthy fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.

Fun Facts About Ceviche

Ceviche is an interesting dish, and I’ll give you some even more interesting facts about this food.

Most people think that dishes made from raw fish originate from Asian countries.

However, ceviche comes from South America. Experts are not sure whether this dish comes from Peru or Ecuador.

There is a dish called kinilaw that comes from the Philippines, and it’s very similar to ceviche.

Some people believe that ceviche came from Asia after all, because citrus fruits are native to Asian countries.

When you think about it, ceviche is like a raw fish stew. You don’t cook it, and you eat it cold.

There are many traditional ways to make, serve, and eat ceviche. In Mexico, ceviche is served with tortillas. In Ecuador, ceviche is combined with sweet potatoes. I

n some countries, they serve fruit with ceviche.

Ceviche has its own National Day – June 28^th. There are competitions based on this dish. Many popular chefs are often competing with who will make the best ceviche.

Another fun fact about this delicious dish is that it came to the USA in the ‘80s. Since it came, it became very popular, since it tastes great and it’s easy to consume.

How to Eat Ceviche During Pregnancy?

Ceviche during pregnancy should be made differently and certain types of fish should be avoided.

Keep reading to learn how can pregnant women eat ceviche. You will learn some interesting ways of preparing this delicious meal.

As a pregnant woman, you should eat cooked fish. It’s filled with iron, vitamins, and other valuable nutrients.

There are some types of fish you should avoid when pregnant because they contain a lot of mercury. Those types of fish are shark, king mackerel, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy, and tilefish.

So, when you’re choosing the perfect fish to make your cooked ceviche, avoid these kinds of fish. High temperatures will kill bacteria and help you avoid possible food poisoning.

You can play with different recipes, and add the things you like, as long as they’re safe to eat. I will give you two, most basic recipes for cooked ceviche. If you love to eat shrimp, one of the will amaze you.

Classic Cooked Ceviche

Since you’re pregnant and you have to cook your fish to make ceviche, you should choose a recipe you like.

Buy your favorite type of white fish that is allowed to consume during pregnancy. Chop the fish, and marinate it the same way as you’re making raw ceviche.

After two hours of marinating in lime and lemon juice with spices, fry the fish on medium heat.

When the fish is thoroughly cooked, use some of the marinades as a dressing for your fish. Add chili, herbs, and other desired spices.

Add some rice or sweet potatoes, and enjoy. Many people like cooked ceviche. Raw fish is not something everybody enjoys.

Shrimp Ceviche

For this recipe, you will need to cook or fry some shrimp. When they’re done, simply chop them.

Take some lime and lemon juice, and add everything you like- chili, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. You should chop everything nicely and add the shrimp.

Mix everything carefully so you don’t smash anything. I suggest cooling it down before eating because it will taste much better.

Food Poisoning While Pregnant

You’ve read so many articles about so many different foods and drinks to avoid during pregnancy. Now you know that raw ceviche while pregnant is also forbidden.

Most of the foods that are not allowed when pregnant could cause food poisoning. All those banned foods can cause food poisoning even when you’re not pregnant.

However, everything is more dangerous during pregnancy.

You need to know that you’re not alone in your body. You’re sharing everything with your unborn baby.

Some things won’t affect you, but they will affect your child. Another thing to remember is that your body and your immunity are weaker when you’re pregnant.

You simply can’t fight bacteria and other germs very well. You’re not strong as you were before, and everything is different during pregnancy.

Most of these foods can cause food poisoning that won’t do a lot of damage to someone who’s not pregnant. But, if a pregnant woman gets food poisoning, that could lead to severe complications.

So, now you know why it’s important to study everything about different types of food. You have to protect yourself and your baby.

Common symptoms of food poisoning are fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, headache, and dizziness.

Certain foods can cause specific symptoms, but these are universal. If you feel any of these symptoms, it’s important to go to your doctor’s office or ER, especially if you ate something risky.

Even if you didn’t eat anything that could cause these symptoms, you should still be cautious and consult with your doctor.

Usually, these symptoms are related to pregnancy nausea and morning sickness. However, if it’s food poisoning, you will need certain medications and medical therapy.

You will also have to check your baby in the womb and do some tests to avoid any complications.

Don’t be irresponsible and take care of your health. This period of your life is very important and you have to pay attention to every little detail.

Conclusion

Eating ceviche when pregnant is allowed only if you make it at home and cook the ceviche.

Raw seafood is something most people enjoy, but it could cause problems and food poisoning.

These things are even more dangerous for pregnant women since they can cause severe complications for the baby.

Luckily, there are ways to prepare your favorite foods. You need to find a good recipe, buy all ingredients, and work hard.

When it comes to preparing ceviche at home, it’s not difficult at all. It can be more delicious since you can add everything you like.

If you hate cooking while pregnant, then you don’t really have a choice. You can forget about your ceviche.

Maybe some restaurants will cook it for you, but I don’t think that’s safe enough. You can never rely on someone else to cook the fish all the way through.

Personally, cooked fish and seafood are something I like. I think you will enjoy your cooked, homemade ceviche because it tastes good.

Of course, if you hate cooked seafood, then you can only wait for your pregnancy days to be over.

Right now, you have to prioritize your baby and yourself. Other delicious foods are good for you. Find something else to satisfy your cravings.

After all, you won’t be pregnant forever. All these forbidden foods will be available for you one day, and you will enjoy your favorite meals again. Be patient and focus on more important things right now.