Can I Eat Shrimp While Pregnant? Safe Seafood Guide 2026
Short answer: Yes. Fully cooked shrimp is one of the safest, lowest-mercury seafoods in pregnancy.
Cooked Shrimp Is Safe
Shrimp is low in mercury and rich in protein and omega-3s. Eat it fully cooked (opaque and firm), and enjoy up to 8–12 oz (2–3 servings) of low-mercury seafood per week.
For a quick colour-coded verdict, see our Shrimp food safety page.
Is Shrimp Safe During Pregnancy?
Shrimp is one of the FDA and EPA's “best choices” for seafood in pregnancy because it is very low in mercury. Cooked shrimp provides lean protein, iodine, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids that support your baby's brain and eye development. The only real rule is that it must be thoroughly cooked.
How Much Shrimp Can I Eat?
Health authorities recommend 8–12 ounces (two to three servings) of low-mercury seafood per week during pregnancy. Shrimp fits comfortably within this limit, so a couple of shrimp-based meals a week is both safe and beneficial.
How to Prepare Shrimp Safely
Cook shrimp until it turns pink and opaque and curls into a loose C-shape (an internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C). Avoid raw shrimp in sushi, sashimi, ceviche or raw bar platters, and reheat leftover cooked shrimp until steaming hot.
Safe Ways to Eat Shrimp
- Grilled or sauteed shrimp, cooked until pink and firm
- Boiled or steamed shrimp, classic shrimp cocktail (cooked, chilled)
- Shrimp in curries, pasta and stir-fries, heated through
- Breaded/baked shrimp, fully cooked
Shrimp to Avoid
- Raw shrimp, in sushi, sashimi or ceviche
- Undercooked shrimp, still grey or translucent
- Cold pre-cooked shrimp left out too long, reheat until steaming
Helpful pregnancy essentials
A few things expecting moms often find useful. Always check with your OB-GYN or midwife first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat shrimp while pregnant?
Yes. Fully cooked shrimp is low in mercury and safe during pregnancy. Just make sure it is opaque and firm, not raw or translucent.
Can I eat shrimp cocktail while pregnant?
Yes, as long as the shrimp is fully cooked (which it usually is) and has been kept properly chilled. Avoid raw-bar shrimp that hasn't been cooked.
How much shrimp is safe per week?
Shrimp counts toward the recommended 8–12 oz of low-mercury seafood per week. Two to three servings a week is safe and healthy.
Is fried shrimp safe during pregnancy?
Yes, if it is fully cooked through. Fried shrimp is fine occasionally; just watch overall fried-food intake for general health.
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