Can You Have Ahi Tuna When Pregnant [Insight]

Many pregnant women have concerns regarding the safety of particular meals during their pregnancies.

Whether it’s okay to eat ahi tuna while pregnant is one of the most often asked topics.

Ahi tuna is safe for pregnant women to eat when properly cooked, which is fantastic news.

The safety of ahi tuna during pregnancy, the best methods to prepare it, and several delectable recipes you might try are all covered in this blog post.

We’ll also go over the importance of food safety, as well as what to watch out for while buying and preparing ahi tuna.

So, let’s get started and discover more about how tasty and safe ahi tuna is for pregnant women.

What is Ahi Tuna?

Yellowfin tuna is another name for the species of tuna known as ahi. It is a typical delicacy that is valued highly for its flavor and texture and is frequently eaten raw in dishes like sushi and sashimi.

Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamins and minerals including vitamin B12, iron, and selenium are all abundant in ahi tuna.

Ahi tuna should be consumed in moderation, especially by specific groups like pregnant women, due to its high mercury level.

Can you have ahi tuna when pregnant?

While modest consumption of ahi tuna during pregnancy is typically healthy, it’s vital to take into account the fish’s mercury content.

Limiting the eating of ahi tuna and other fish with high mercury content is advised since these fish can damage a growing fetus.

Before making any dietary adjustments while pregnant, it is usually advised to speak with a healthcare professional.

Ahi tuna is considered a high-mercury fish, and should therefore be avoided or limited by pregnant women.

It is best to stick to fish with low levels of mercury, such as salmon, herring, and canned light tuna.

Pregnant women are typically advised to avoid eating raw or undercooked seafood, particularly ahi tuna.

Undercooked fish can have amounts of mercury that are detrimental to the growing fetus, and raw fish may contain dangerous germs or parasites that can cause foodborne sickness.

In order to lower your chance of contracting a foodborne disease, it is essential to ensure that your ahi tuna is cooked to an internal temperature of 145 °F.

Learn more: Does Tuna Cause Constipation?

Guidelines for consuming ahi tuna during pregnancy

Here are some things to keep in mind about ahi tuna and pregnancy:

Recommended serving sizes

To reduce their exposure to mercury, pregnant women should restrict their weekly consumption of ahi tuna to 6 ounces or fewer.

This is because high levels of mercury have been associated with birth abnormalities, developmental delays, and other health issues.

Mercury is a hazardous chemical that can harm a growing fetus.

Importance of cooking methods

It’s also critical to remember that cooking techniques might affect how much mercury is present in ahi tuna.

For instance, compared to fresh or frozen tuna, canned tuna often has greater mercury content.

If choosing fresh or frozen ahi tuna, pregnant women should fully prepare it to lower the risk of bacterial infection.

Alternatives to ahi tuna

There are many other seafood options that are low in mercury and high in nutrients for pregnant women who are seeking healthy substitutes for ahi tuna.

Salmon, shrimp, scallops, and tilapia are a few alternatives. These alternatives may offer comparable health advantages to ahi tuna while posing a lesser mercury exposure risk.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that every pregnancy is different and that before making any dietary adjustments, women should always speak with their healthcare professionals.

Depending on the particular situation, they can also have extra advice or constraints.

Learn more about lunch meat and pregnancy.

Risks associated with consuming ahi tuna during pregnancy

Consuming raw or undercooked ahi (yellowfin) tuna during pregnancy can be associated with the following risks:

1. Mercury contamination: Because it is a predatory fish, ahi tuna has a significant potential for mercury exposure, which can be harmful to an unborn child.
2. Foodborne illness: Consuming ahi tuna that is raw or undercooked increases your chance of getting listeria or salmonella, two common foodborne infections.
3. Anisakis parasite: The Anisakis parasite, which can induce nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort, may be present in raw or undercooked ahi tuna.
4. Vitamin B12 deficiency: Ahi tuna has little vitamin B12, which is necessary for the growth of the fetal nervous system and brain.
5. Omega-3 fatty acid imbalance: Ahi tuna has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which might lead to an unhealthy imbalance in fatty acid ratios for the baby.
6. Histamine poisoning: A high histamine content in ahi tuna can lead to allergic responses as well as histamine intoxication.
7. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): PCBs, a poisonous substance that can damage the developing embryo, may be present in ahi tuna.
8. Vitamin A toxicity: Ahi tuna contains a lot of vitamin A, which when consumed in excess can be toxic and harmful to the fetus.

It is recommended that pregnant women limit their consumption of raw or undercooked ahi tuna and opt for cooked or canned varieties instead.

Learn more about meatloaf and pregnancy.

How to Minimize Risks of Consuming Ahi Tuna During Pregnancy

To minimize the risks of consuming ahi tuna during pregnancy, it is recommended to:

Select the proper ahi tuna variety: Choose younger, smaller fish that are often lower in mercury, such as those marked “ahi tuna steak” or “yellowfin tuna.”

Limit your ahi tuna intake: Pregnant women should keep their weekly ahi tuna intake to no more than 6 ounces.

Diversify your protein sources: It’s crucial to include other types of protein in your diet in addition to ahi tuna. Salmon, tilapia, cod, and catfish are other low-mercury seafood alternatives. Pregnant women can also choose plant-based protein foods such as beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh.

Speak with a medical professional: The optimal course of action throughout pregnancy will vary depending on each person’s unique dietary demands.

Choosing a healthy diet during pregnancy can be made easier by speaking with a trained dietitian or a healthcare professional.

Learn more about red meat and pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to eat ahi tuna when pregnant?

Yellowfin tuna, often known as ahi tuna, is typically regarded as safe for pregnant women when consumed in moderation.

However, because this species of fish has high amounts of mercury, it is crucial to use caution.

How much ahi tuna is safe to consume when expecting?

The American Pregnancy Association advises consuming no more than 6 ounces of cooked ahi tuna each week.

Why should pregnant women avoid eating a lot of ahi tuna?

High amounts of mercury present in ahi tuna may be detrimental to an unborn child. Developmental problems and neurological impairment can result from excessive mercury exposure.

Is it okay to eat raw ahi tuna when pregnant?

No, eating raw ahi tuna while pregnant is not safe. Unhealthy bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause foodborne disease and pose a risk to the growing fetus can be found in raw fish.

Can I eat an ahi tuna poke bowl while pregnant?

Although ahi tuna poke bowls may be a delectable protein source, it’s crucial to be watchful of the ingredients and cooking techniques.

It is advisable to stay away from ahi tuna during pregnancy if it is raw. It can be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet if it is properly cooked.

Are there any fish that pregnant women may eat instead of ahi tuna?

Yes, there are a number of fish options besides ahi tuna that are suitable for pregnant women to eat. These consist of cooked salmon, tilapia, cod, and shrimp in addition to tofu, tempeh, and lentils, which are plant-based sources of protein.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when properly cooked, ahi tuna is typically safe for pregnant women to eat.

When buying and cooking ahi tuna, it’s crucial to keep food safety in mind because it may contain dangerous germs that might endanger your health.

As ahi tuna is still rich in mercury and can result in an excess of this nutrient in the body, pregnant women should be careful to consume it in moderation.

And last, ahi tuna may be used in a variety of delectable dishes to ensure that you enjoy your food while keeping a healthy pregnancy.

Further reading…

1. FDA
2. ACOG
3. APA