
Sushi in Pregnancy — What You Really Need to Know
Sushi often conjures images of delicate sashimi and seaweed wraps. For pregnant women, however, the question is: **which sushi is safe, and which is risky?** In this guide, we’ll walk you through raw fish dangers, mercury concerns, safe sushi swaps, best handling practices, and how to keep your sushi cravings intact—without compromising fetal health.
Sushi 101 — More Than Just Raw Fish
“Sushi” refers to *vinegared rice* combined with seafood, vegetables, or egg—not always raw fish. Popular varieties include:
- Nigiri: fish slices over rice (may be raw or cooked)
- Maki / Rolls: fish or vegetables rolled with seaweed
- Temaki / Hand Rolls: cone-shaped rolls, sometimes with cooked fillings
- Vegetarian / Egg Rolls: sushi made with avocado, cucumber, mushroom, tamago (egg)
The key for pregnancy safety: **avoid raw/undercooked seafood and choose low-mercury ingredients**. [4]
