Can Pregnant Women Eat Calamari?

If you’re looking for the green light to get involved with some calamari, we are here to say, “go ahead, mama-to-be”! Here’s the round-up on this seafood delight. In this article 📝

So, can I eat calamari while pregnant?

Yep. Calamari is completely safe to eat while pregnant (wait for the caveat) as long as it is fully cooked.

Calamari can cause some confusion when it comes to finding it on pregnancy-safe food lists, because what exactly is it?!

The word “calamari” is Italian for squid, which is actually a type of shellfish.

Shellfish is divided into two types ‒ mollusks and crustaceans.

Crustaceans include crabs and lobster.

Calamari is a type of mollusk, along with clams, oysters, mussels, octopus, and snails.

So, safely eating calamari during pregnancy should follow the same rules as the other types of shellfish eaten during pregnancy. Those rules being:

• Bought fresh or fresh/frozen from a reputable source
• Stored correctly in the refrigerator or freezer
• Cooked thoroughly
• Low in mercury

It’s best to avoid seared calamari for now, as often this cooking method only cooks the outside, while the inside is left raw and a potential source of bacteria.

Raw calamari can also be found on sushi menus, known in Japanese as Ika, which should also be avoided during pregnancy.

And if you’re wondering about whole squid, or dishes containing squid ink?

These, as long as they’re fully cooked, are good to go. Yum!

Is calamari healthy to eat?

Yes, and no. Plain calamari that’s grilled, steamed, or roasted is a pretty healthy option.

But those crispy deep-fried calamari rings are a different story!

As with any fried foods, they should be kept to a minimum. More on that in a moment.

So why should women eat calamari during pregnancy?

Calamari, like other kinds of seafood, is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can really help with fetal brain development.

Not only that, but it’s full of Vitamin B12 and E, protein, zinc, selenium, iron, and iodine, which are all super important nutrients for a healthy pregnancy diet.

What type of seafood is safe during pregnancy?

Most kinds of seafood, as long as they're thoroughly cooked, are safe to enjoy while pregnant.

Some fish are high in mercury, which can be dangerous to both mama and baby when consumed in large amounts.

So, is calamari safe during pregnancy?

Yes! Thankfully, calamari isn’t a high-mercury seafood.

In fact, calamari has been classed as very low in mercury by the FDA, so you can happily enjoy two to three servings of the good stuff per week if you so wish.

Fish that are particularly high in mercury and should be avoided include bigeye tuna, shark (also sometimes called “flake” on menus), swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, marlin, and orange roughy.

Can I eat fried seafood while pregnant?

So, can you eat fried calamari when pregnant?

Good news, seafood fans, this one’s a yes… but in moderation.

Fried calamari can be high in cholesterol, so should be avoided if you’re specifically watching that.

When you’re eating out, it’s also worth keeping an eye on what delicious dipping sauces are served with your fried calamari rings.

Make sure any mayo-based condiments don’t contain raw egg.

Can I eat fried shrimp while pregnant?

You sure can, mama-to-be, but the same rules apply. Fully cooked, and kept to a minimum, like all fried foods.

That said, if you have an intense craving that only fried calamari and popcorn shrimp will cure, go for it. Just try not to make it a habit.

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