Can You Eat Smoked Salmon During Pregnancy?
Fish provides essential nutrients vital for fetal development aiding both growth and development; providing protein, omega-3 fats, vitamin B12 and vitamin D as well as minerals like selenium, zinc, and iodine.
There are so many food and drink myths surrounding pregnancy, detailing what you can and can’t consume.
The bottom line is that fish is safe and beneficial, with the exception of varieties high in mercury as well as certain preparations; such as raw and undercooked.
Smoked salmon is somewhat of a grey area when searching the internet for a definitive answer as to the safety of consuming when pregnant.
There are two types of smoked salmon:
Cold-smoked. The salmon is dry-cured and smoked between 70–90℉; which isn’t fully cooked. Often served with bagels or eggs.
Hot-smoked. The salmon is brine-cured and smoked at 120℉ until its internal temperature reaches 135℉; making it fully cooked.
Health guidelines state that pregnant women should avoid eating fish and meat that is not fully cooked! The reason for this is the risk of a parasitic infection or listeria, resulting in food poisoning.
Despite the guidelines, smoked salmon poses a low risk of both parasites and listeria due to the strict guidelines around preparation and storage. If you decide to consume cold smoked salmon there are a few things you can look for to limit increased risks:
Cold smoked salmon caught and packed in the UK is considered to have a low risk due to the strict standards surrounding farming and fishing. Wild caught should have been frozen first, killing off any parasites or infections, again making it a safer choice.
Salmon from other countries is more ambiguous, with standards varying from country to country.
The concentration of toxins and bacteria usually builds up in the fatty portions of the fish which isn’ t traditionally used when serving cold smoked salmon.
The ultimate combo: Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel
With all things considered, being extremely diligent with your food choices is always imperative when pregnant or breastfeeding, due to suppressed immune systems as well as potential bacteria crossing the placenta. If you choose to consume cold smoked salmon, be diligent in knowing where the salmon has come from, its preparation and how it has been stored before consuming.