Is it safe to eat anchovies when pregnant?
In pregnancy, anchovies, whether canned or raw, are often queried.They are one of the most popular cravings for pregnant women.What are the benefits if they are always safe?You can find more here.
Is anchovies safe when pregnant?If you have a can, tin or jar, anchovies are safe for pregnant women to eat.It's a good idea to avoid raw anchovies from open containers.It is possible to make all anchovies safe by cooking them.
I have broken down all the possible ways to buy and serve anchovies, so you can check out which is the safest option.
One of the most popular questions about anchovies is whether they are a low-mercury fish or not.
According to the FDA, certain fish species come in at a very low amount of mercury on average.
The different species of anchovy that are found worldwide are all classified as low mercury by the Environmental Defense Fund.
The study in Turkey looked at hundreds of anchovy samples and found that mercury levels in those who consumed them remained at safe levels.
The upshot of this?A low mercury fish called anchovies can be enjoyed safely in a pregnant woman.It is not normal to eat large quantities of anchovies.
The only type of anchovy that should be avoided when pregnant is the cold, marinated, raw type, only if they are stored or served from open containers, due to the risk of cross-contamination.
White fillets of anchovy are easy to spot if they are marinated or cured.
The acidic ones used to cure anchovy don't work well withbacteria.Listeria is one of the most acid-resistant pathogens.
If you want to eat anchovy during pregnancy, it's best to avoid open containers and factory-packed ones.
It is recommended that pregnant women avoid raw, non-marinated anchovies and any other fish that hasn't been cooked or cured due to the small but significant risk ofbacterial contamination.
Unlike almost every other canned fish, anchovies are not Pasteurized.They are semi preserved due to the fact that cooking them in the can will turn them to mush.
anchovies are slightly different because of the way they are processed with a large amount of salt.
In pregnant women, salted anchovies are safe to eat.When anchovies are processed in this way, with salt, it is very difficult for them to survive.
The same thing can be done with anchovy paste.The paste is semi preserved using salt and other ingredients.
If you are pregnant, you can eat anchovy paste if you store it in the fridge and use it within the time shown on the label.
If you want to learn more about eating Caesar salads in pregnancy, read this article.
Anchovies are a good option for pregnant women as they are low in mercury and have Omega 3s.As they are an oily fish, they should be limited to a couple of portions a week.
It is unlikely that you will go over the recommended levels unless you eat an entire can or jar of anchovy.
Anchovies are low in calories and fat.They are a rich source of vitamins A and K.
If you put anchovy in a jar or can, be aware that they are usually high in salt.There will be less salt in fresh anchovies.If you are watching your sodium intake, this is not a problem.
Adding anchovy to salads, veggies, and lean meats is a great way to pep up some of the foods that are great for you in pregnancy.They can be stirred into pasta as well as over a pizza, so there are plenty of anchovy options to choose from.
Gina is the owner of a business.She received a degree in Human Nutrition from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.The articles are reviewed by Janet Gordon, who is a registered dietitian specializing in maternal health.