Can pregnant women eat shrimp? Is it possible to eat shrimp during early and late pregnancy, in what form is it best to eat them? Is it possible for pregnant women to eat shrimp in the first place?

A woman who is carrying a child can no longer eat whatever she wants. From the moment the expectant mother learns about her situation, a woman must monitor her diet and choose only fresh and acceptable foods. But food is like medicine. Some foods can cope with various problems in the body, while others are taboo and very dangerous during pregnancy. Today we’ll talk about shrimp - what kind of product it is and how it gets to our table, is it possible to eat it while pregnant and how to cook shrimp so that they are not only tasty, but also safe.

Is it possible to eat shrimp during pregnancy?

Shrimps belong to the order of crustaceans and are very common in all freshwater bodies. The size of shrimp can vary, from 2 to 30 cm. Today, shrimp are caught in the wild, and also equipped with special farms where seafood is bred on an industrial scale. Dishes with shrimp can be found in many countries, especially along the coastline.

Shrimp have a unique beneficial composition. First of all, it is an easily digestible protein that quickly saturates the body. Just one serving of shrimp weighing 100 grams is already half of a person’s daily protein requirement. At the same time, shrimp do not contain fats and carbohydrates, but they contain a lot of vitamins and microelements. Like many seafood, shrimp contain a lot of vitamin D, which is simply necessary for the normal absorption of phosphorus and calcium. Shrimp have a lot of iodine, 100 times more than beef. Just one serving of shrimp per day can replenish the daily iodine supply of an adult. Shrimp contain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and many different vitamins. At the same time, the product is considered to be quite low in calories; it is a real treasure trove for a pregnant woman’s diet. That is why doctors say with confidence that during the period of bearing a baby, eating shrimp is not only possible, but also necessary. But on one condition.

Seafood tends to reflect the environmental situation of its habitat. That is, if shrimp grew in a sea with polluted waters, mercury and other heavy metals may be found in the meat. This is dangerous for a pregnant woman, especially in the early stages, when all the organs and systems of the baby are just developing. In addition, even “farmed” shrimp, which are often stuffed with antibiotics and other drugs, can be harmful. Try to buy only the product of which you are absolutely sure of its quality. You can eat shrimp during pregnancy, but only in small quantities and only if you have a GOST certificate of product conformity.

Benefits of shrimp during pregnancy

As noted, shrimp is a very valuable, and most importantly, incredibly tasty product, which is very useful for women, especially during pregnancy.

1. Shrimp is an ideal food as it gives you a feeling of fullness without adding calories, it is the best solution during pregnancy.
2. Often, shrimp are served salted, which greatly pleases the sophisticated taste of a pregnant woman, replacing such harmful things as crackers, chips, etc.
3. A large amount of phosphorus and calcium compensates for the deficiency of these microelements in the body, allowing a woman to keep her teeth in a healthy condition until the end of pregnancy. For the same reason, shrimp are very useful during lactation.
4. Shrimp contain folic acid, which is so necessary during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. This vitamin reduces the risk of developing neural tube pathologies in the fetus.
5. The substances contained in shrimp are involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, this is very important for pregnancy, when in a short time the body increases the amount of circulating blood for two organisms.
6. Shrimp, like many seafood, contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which strengthen a woman’s immune system and protect her from colds. In addition, these acids reduce the risk of various pathologies in the fetus.
7. Iodine in the product is essential for the normal functioning of the endocrine system of women and children.
8. Shrimp contains antioxidants that increase the elasticity of blood vessels and reduce the risk of developing blood clots.
9. Shrimp is an absolutely hypoallergenic product that not only does not cause a reaction, but also perfectly suppresses various allergic manifestations.
10. The rich mineral composition of shrimp allows you to preserve the beauty of nails and hair during pregnancy and lactation, when most of the vitamins are spent on the nutrition and development of the baby in the womb.

Shrimp contains a large amount of selenium, which, when consumed regularly, reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors, preventing cancer. Shrimp are especially effective in preventing colorectal cancer.

When you are in an interesting situation, you cannot rely on the first restaurant you choose and eat questionable shrimp dishes that are not the first freshness. If the craving for the product is irresistible, you need to choose shrimp and cook them yourself.

Of course, it is best to buy shrimp fresh, straight from a fishing boat or farm. But if you don't live on the coast, this is more difficult to do. Grocery stores most often sell boiled shrimp in frozen form. If you have the opportunity to buy fresh frozen products, do so. Carefully inspect the carcasses of sea crustaceans. They should be fresh and smell like the sea. If the shrimp is not frozen, apply light pressure to the shell. Young and fresh shrimp will be moist and moderately elastic, old crustaceans have a hard shell. There should be no uneven specks or spots on the surface of the carcass. If there are black spots on the legs, this indicates that the product is old; when cooked, the shrimp will turn into mush. Sometimes unscrupulous sellers and manufacturers try to erase these black inclusions using various chemical compounds. This causes yellow spots to appear on the shell - this product is also not worth taking. Don’t be afraid to buy shrimp with green heads - such individuals simply fed on plankton, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if the shrimp’s head is brown, this means that this is a female specimen and she is pregnant. Shrimp eggs are found in their legs, and they are also very tasty.

When eating shrimp, there is no need to be zealous; the shrimp meat itself is already very tasty and does not need additional seasonings and spices. You need to cook the shrimp for no more than 7 minutes; after cooking, just salt the meat and eat it with vegetables and sauce.

Science has long proven that a woman during pregnancy wants exactly what her body lacks, so the craving for exotic products is especially strong. Perhaps this is why there is an opinion among people that a pregnant woman cannot be refused. And if she wants shrimp, just make sure that the product is natural and fresh.

Video: benefits and harms of shrimp

During pregnancy, women are advised to adhere to a certain diet excluding allergenic foods. These dishes also include seafood. Shrimp during pregnancy is a source of protein and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. If consumed excessively, they cause not only allergies, but also a large load on the kidneys, which leads to edema.

Benefits and harms

Are shrimp good for pregnant women? Yes, the product contains a lot of protein, vitamins A, D, E, C, almost all B vitamins. Participates in the formation of bones, the child’s circulatory system, and supports the mother’s immunity. But shrimp meat can bring benefits and harm to the body.

Shrimp contain the daily requirement of iodine, which is beneficial for the functioning of the endocrine system and the development of the child’s brain. Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids, magnesium, iron, sodium, copper, potassium, zinc and calcium improve metabolism and the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It is useful for pregnant women to eat shrimp, as seafood keeps hair, skin and nails healthy thanks to phosphorus, and is also a dietary dish.

In addition to their benefits, shrimp can also cause harm to the body. Seafood is a leader in the content of bad cholesterol, which leads to the formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels. If a pregnant woman has high cholesterol levels in her body, eating shrimp is strictly prohibited.

Salts of heavy metals that marine inhabitants accumulate are not beneficial to the body. Eating shrimp in large quantities is not recommended even for people in good health.

Introduction to diet

Boiled shrimp are allowed for pregnant women if the woman regularly ate them before conception. But you should check your body for the presence of an allergic reaction. In order to properly introduce shrimp meat into your diet, you need to eat 2-3 pieces and observe your body.

If there are no changes: rash, red spots, problems with stool, shrimp can be eaten during pregnancy 2-3 times a week and in reasonable portions. Shrimp should be present in the diet of pregnant women along with other seafood.

Rules of use:

• cook in boiling water for 5-6 minutes, unpeeled;
• consumption with vegetables reduces cholesterol production;
• storage and reheating of food is unacceptable;
• It is not recommended to use every day;
• should be purchased exclusively from licensed retail outlets.

A high risk of developing allergies in a child occurs before birth. Therefore, pregnant women in the third trimester need to eat shrimp very carefully. In the first and second trimesters, the bone and nervous system of the fetus is formed, so you can safely consume the product in moderation.

Different food products have a certain set of both beneficial and harmful substances. That is why it is very important for pregnant women to monitor what they should eat and what foods they should avoid.

It's not that simple with seafood. For example, shrimp during pregnancy can bring both benefit and harm to the body of the expectant mother and baby.

The benefits of shrimp for pregnant women

Shrimp are considered a low-calorie delicacy because... contain practically no fat. In addition, they contain useful substances:

• minerals (iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iodine);
• vitamins of groups B, A, E, K, C;
• Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids.

Shrimp are considered a valuable and healthy product, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. They are helping:

• quickly satisfy hunger and give a feeling of fullness for a long time;
• strengthen the immune system;
• reduce the risk of developing pathologies in the fetus;
• prevent anemia, vitamin deficiency, problems with the thyroid gland;
• increase the elasticity of blood vessels, reduce the risk of developing blood clots.

Also, the rich mineral composition allows you to preserve the beauty of hair and nails, quickly increase the amount of circulating blood in the body of a woman and child, keep teeth in good condition and prevent the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Shrimp are effective in preventing rectal ailments, which can often bother expectant mothers.

Possible harm

Doctors rarely recommend eating shrimp during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that currently the habitat of crustaceans is contaminated with various toxic and chemical substances. For the same reason, you should not eat raw shrimp, because... the risk of food poisoning increases.

Expectant mothers with individual intolerance to seafood products are also prohibited from consuming such delicacies. An allergic reaction will lead to the appearance of dangerous symptoms that can harm the female body and fetus:

• rash;
• itching in the mouth;
• peeling of the skin;
• headache;
• allergic rhinitis;
• anaphylactic shock.

If an allergy occurs, a woman should consult a doctor. Since many medications are contraindicated for pregnant women, the duration of treatment may be very prolonged. With drug therapy, adverse reactions often occur that lead to the development of complications in the fetus.

In what form is it better for pregnant women to eat shrimp?

Firstly, during pregnancy, shrimp are not recommended to be consumed raw, along with spicy seasonings, or too often or in large portions. Secondly, seafood dishes should not be stored in the refrigerator for too long, because... after repeated freezing, crustaceans lose their beneficial properties.

The ideal use is light salads with boiled shrimp, vegetables or fruits. This will reduce cholesterol levels and bring more benefits to the mother's body. The seafood delicacy goes well with apples, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, green peas, fresh cucumbers and carrots.

Cook shrimp for no more than 3-5 minutes after boiling. If you overcook, the meat will become tougher and tasteless. Before cooking, shrimp should be thoroughly rinsed with warm water to remove dirt and ice.

You can cook seafood with or without spices. The main thing is not to overdo it with spices, as they interrupt the taste and aroma of the seafood delicacy.

You can determine readiness by the color of the shell, which will become more transparent, as well as by the carcasses floating to the surface of the water. When this happens, the shrimp must be transferred to a colander and the water drained.

Boiled rice is ideal as a side dish for boiled shrimp. It can be seasoned with soy or tomato sauce.

Rules for choosing and purchasing a safe product

Not everyone has the opportunity to purchase fresh shrimp, because... To do this you need to live near the sea. In stores and supermarkets, they are usually sold frozen, but this does not mean that they are fresh, so you should pay attention to the packaging date of the product and its appearance.

The presence of white spots or stripes indicates that the product has been in the freezer for a long time - the shrimp were packaged more than a month ago, and there will be no benefit from them for a pregnant woman. If there are no white spots or stripes, but instead there are black inclusions, then you should also refuse the seafood delicacy. Such marks on the legs indicate that the shrimp are old and will turn into mush when cooked.

Sometimes manufacturers try to disguise spots and inclusions with the help of special food dyes, and then the carcass acquires a yellowish tint. It is better not to buy such products, because... you can get seriously ill. Strong food dyes cause allergies, kidney and liver diseases, and also negatively affect a woman’s nervous system and increase the risk of developing congenital pathologies in an infant.

In addition, women should not purchase ready-made seafood cocktails or shrimp along with spices. The shelf life of such products is short, about 5-7 days. In addition, manufacturers often add vinegar or too hot spices to such shrimp. This increases the shelf life by 2-3 times, but at the same time the risk of poisoning increases.

By paying attention to all the features, a pregnant woman will always know that she is buying a fresh and natural product. It will not harm the body, and in some cases it will even be very useful.

Expectant mothers try to eat nutritiously and wholesomely so that the baby in the womb receives all the substances necessary for its growth. It is especially important to pay attention to a sufficient supply of protein, which a pregnant woman can get from fish, meat, cheese, milk, and so on. Shrimp is one of the healthy protein foods, but some caution is required with them while carrying a child.

How are they useful?

Doctors call shrimp a valuable product for expectant mothers, which contains a lot of protein and, on the contrary, very few carbohydrates and fats. They are low-calorie and digest very quickly, do not cause weight gain and help you overcome the habit of eating salty snacks, such as crackers or chips. Such seafood products are rich in:

• copper and iron, due to which their use is beneficial for hematopoiesis and increases activity;
• iodine, very important for the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• omega fats, participating in metabolic reactions and helping to prevent many diseases;
• phosphorus, which is important for teeth and bone tissue;
• zinc, helping to maintain healthy nails and beautiful skin;
• potassium, necessary for myocardial health;
• selenium, capable of strengthening the immune system and protecting against active oxygen;
• astaxanthin, being a strong antioxidant.

Shrimp are especially useful for urban residents - after all, they suffer more from low oxygen levels and are susceptible to the negative influence of the industrial environment.

Are they allowed during pregnancy?

Doctors do not prohibit shrimp for pregnant women: if they eat them within reasonable limits, and listen to the reaction of their own body. On the contrary, according to doctors, in the early stages this delicacy will support the proper development of the embryo. The proteins, fatty acids and microelements contained in such seafood will have a beneficial effect on the development of the baby’s nervous and skeletal systems.

However, eating shrimp also has its limitations. First of all, there is an increased risk of allergies. If a woman enjoyed these seafood before pregnancy, and there were no problems, then she can safely include shrimp in her menu while in pregnancy. If, before conception, such “sea inhabitants” were not part of the diet, and the woman wanted them for the first time while carrying a baby, increased caution is necessary.

Many doctors, in general, do not recommend starting to get acquainted with shrimp and other seafood during pregnancy. However, if there is a strong desire, this is permissible. The first portion of seafood should be no more than 1-2 pieces. After eating shrimp, you should carefully observe whether there is a negative reaction to them. If at least one of the allergic symptoms appears (skin rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of the extremities, itchy skin, red eyes, runny nose), You should immediately consult a doctor and forget about such a delicacy at least until the end of breastfeeding.

To reduce the risk of allergies in the baby, the expectant mother should not eat too many shrimp in one sitting, even if there was no negative reaction to them before pregnancy. Doctors recommend limiting yourself to a serving of 100-200 grams, eating it 1-2 times a week. In this case, it is important to boil the product well, since insufficient temperature treatment can lead to poisoning. It is not recommended to eat any seafood raw while expecting a baby.

By the way, if a woman has prepared shrimp for herself and suddenly changes her mind about eating them because of the unpleasant smell or taste, there is no need to force herself, despite all the benefits of this product. Eating shrimp forcibly will only worsen your appetite and have a bad effect on your mood.. If you feel disgusted by them, you can easily replace shrimp with other seafood or sea fish.

Some doctors recommend eating seafood only in the first trimester, and avoiding such foods in the second or third. This is associated with an increased risk of allergies in the baby, which may appear soon after birth. Another factor limiting the consumption of shrimp is the level of cholesterol in a woman’s blood.

If it has been increased, then shrimp are not welcome on the menu of such pregnant women, because their composition includes this substance in quite large quantities.

How to cook?

Having taken frozen shrimp, they should be rinsed under water to remove any ice crust and dirt. Next, the product is lowered into salted water, which has boiled, after which it is cooked for about 7 minutes until the seafood begins to float on the surface and acquires a soft pink color. If you are using a cooked-frozen dish, then it is enough to dip the seafood in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, because they have already been cooked. It is important not to overcook the product - this will make it “rubbery”.

Boiled shrimp can be consumed without any additives, both hot and cold. But most often they are added to other dishes, for example, chopped vegetables or pasta, dietary soups and original snacks. Crustaceans go well with fresh cucumber and green salad, but will also be very tasty with fruit.

Purchase and storage

It is advisable to buy seafood in a store, carefully inspecting the product and preferring trusted manufacturers. Before purchasing, you need to make sure it is fresh by looking for the production date and expiration date on the packaging. When you pick up a package of frozen shrimp, make sure that they are not stuck together, which often happens in situations where the product is re-frozen.

It is preferable to buy the product in transparent packaging, allowing you to verify the quality of seafood. If the shrimp have dark legs, then the product is “old”, and if they are covered with white spots, then most likely they are frozen. Marine inhabitants with a dark head are of low quality, and if there are yellowish tubercles or spots, it is advised not to use them.

Expectant mothers should not buy shrimp at the market. Such goods, as a rule, lack the necessary certificates and certificates, and their storage conditions are questionable. In addition, when purchasing at the market, a pregnant woman cannot be sure that tender shrimp meat is free of mercury and other heavy metals. Such substances are extremely dangerous for the fetus, especially for its nervous system. For this reason purchasing shrimp in a store is much safer, because they have been tested in accordance with GOST standards.

If a woman is not going to boil seafood right away or has bought a lot of shrimp, then they should be transported home from the store as soon as possible and put in the freezer before the “dwellers of the sea” are defrosted. They can be stored at sub-zero temperatures no longer than specified by the manufacturer. But it is generally not recommended to store cooked shrimp. They should be eaten immediately after cooking, because this product spoils very quickly.

As for ready-made shrimp products sold in stores, It is important to read the label carefully. Many of them contain a lot of spices and vinegar, added preservatives and other harmful substances.

They can provoke heartburn and other unpleasant phenomena, so if possible, expectant mothers should avoid canned seafood.

To find out whether pregnant women can eat shrimp, watch the following video.

Which was previously used without fear.

In our article we will try to figure out whether it is possible to eat shrimp during pregnancy, and we will talk about what benefits or harm they can bring.

What are the benefits of shrimp during pregnancy?

Shrimp is not only tasty, but also healthy. Due to the fact that they contain practically no fats and carbohydrates, and also due to the presence of a large number of nutrients, they can become part of a pregnant woman’s diet. Seafood is low-calorie, so its absorption is easy, it allows you to get enough and does not lead to.

Important! When purchasing, pay attention to the composition: the presence of vinegar and other preservatives in the delicacy can lead to heartburn!

Shrimp contains:

• a large amount of copper and zinc, which helps improve hematopoiesis and increase performance;
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which improve metabolism and prevent the development of many;
• , which is very important for the normal functioning of the endocrine system;
• phosphorus, which ensures healthy bones and;
• zinc, which helps maintain the beauty and health of skin and nails;
• potassium, essential for promoting heart health;
• selenium, which helps improve immunity;
• astaxanthin, thanks to which the elasticity of blood vessels is restored, the formation is inhibited, and the entire body is rejuvenated.

What harm can they do?

Despite the benefits of seafood, you should not be thoughtless about consuming them. If you have never eaten such a delicacy before, it is not recommended to start eating it during pregnancy. It is unknown how your body will react to a new product, it can cause an allergic reaction and also lead to indigestion.

Let's figure out why pregnant women shouldn't eat shrimp. It is not recommended to eat seafood after 22 weeks of pregnancy, since it is at this time that the baby’s immune system begins to function, and unfamiliar foods can lead to the appearance of food problems in the unborn baby.

Did you know? The largest shrimp caught in 2014 off the coast of New Zealand was 28 cm long.

Seafood contains a large amount of cholesterol, so you should not eat them in large portions. If you have high cholesterol levels, then you should avoid this product altogether.

How to choose a quality product when purchasing

When going to the store, you should approach the choice of seafood responsibly. Carefully inspect the product, paying attention to the following points:

• fresh delicacies range in color from pink to orange;
• a dark head indicates that the product is spoiled or of poor quality;
• the presence of black color at the legs indicates that the shrimp are old;
• the presence of yellowish spots and tubercles is a sign of “artificial rejuvenation” of crustaceans using a special solution that removes black plaque;
• if there are white spots and stripes, we can say that the delicacies are frozen;
• adult specimens have a dry shell and are not recommended for consumption.

How and where to store at home

Seafood is usually sold frozen, and when you get it home, you should immediately place it in the freezer unless you plan to cook it right away. When frozen, seafood can be stored for quite a long time, but once defrosted, it is worth starting to cook it as soon as possible.

Important! Buy seafood only in stores, give preference to trusted producers. If possible, find out where the crustaceans were caught, as they accumulate heavy metals and radionuclides.

It is recommended to eat boiled seafood immediately; do not put it in the refrigerator and store it there in this form. They will lose their taste and beneficial qualities and will quickly deteriorate. When buying a delicacy, pay attention to the production date and expiration date - they are always indicated on the packaging.

Precautionary measures

During pregnancy, you should be especially careful when consuming seafood.

Boiled shrimp are usually eaten. They can be eaten separately or added to various salads and soups.