Can You Eat Sushi While Pregnant?
Skip sushi during pregnancy; see the reasons and safer swaps below.
Quick check: what kind of sushi roll?
The answer depends on one thing:
Raw-fish exposure present
Overall verdict: AVOID
FDA advises pregnant people not to eat raw fish, including sushi and sashimi, because of parasites and bacteria. Some fish in sushi may also be high in mercury.
Raw-fish concern cleared
This check resolves the raw-fish concern. If the roll contains seafood, fish species and mercury/frequency guidance may still apply.
Rolls made with fully cooked seafood (tempura shrimp, cooked eel) remove the raw-fish risk FDA highlights. If the roll contains tuna or other higher-mercury fish, follow FDA/EPA weekly seafood limits.
Raw-fish concern cleared
This check resolves the raw-fish concern. This option does not contain the raw seafood risk highlighted by FDA. This check does not assess every possible ingredient in the roll.
Rolls with no raw fish avoid the raw-seafood risk FDA highlights for pregnant people.
Trimester Safety
Why to avoid Sushi in pregnancy
For these nine months, it's wise to leave sushi off the plate. Raw, undercooked or cured, it can harbour listeria or parasites that pregnancy makes you far more vulnerable to.
The good news: there are plenty of satisfying swaps below, and Real Food for Pregnancy is a lovely guide if you want confident answers for the whole nine months.
Safer Alternatives
Skip Sushi for now and choose a pregnancy-safe alternative instead, the section below suggests options. When in doubt, follow NHS, CDC, ACOG and FDA guidance and ask your midwife.
Already ate it?
Raw fish in sushi carries parasite and bacteria risks that FDA highlights for pregnant people.
- If it was a cooked roll (tempura, cooked eel/shrimp), the main raw-fish concern does not apply — still follow mercury limits if tuna was included.
- If it was raw fish, avoid more raw sushi or sashimi for the rest of pregnancy.
- Contact your healthcare professional if you develop fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or flu-like illness after eating raw fish.
Sources: FDA raw seafood; CDC pregnant food safety
What to know about Sushi in pregnancy
Here’s the practical picture for Sushi. Sushi is a concern in pregnancy for two reasons: raw fish can carry listeria and parasites, and some fish (like tuna) are high in mercury. Fully cooked rolls remove the raw-fish concern, but seafood species may still carry mercury or frequency limits. Rolls with no raw fish avoid the raw-seafood risk — this page is not certifying every possible ingredient.
Safe preparation & tips
- Cooked rolls remove the raw-fish risk: tempura, cooked eel (unagi), cooked shrimp
- Avoid raw fish: sashimi, raw tuna/salmon nigiri, and raw-fish rolls
- No-raw-fish rolls (cucumber, avocado) avoid the raw-seafood concern FDA highlights
- If a fish is also high-mercury (tuna), keep within weekly seafood limits even when cooked
Popular with moms eating seafood
Things expecting moms commonly find helpful. Always check with your OB-GYN or midwife before adding a supplement.
Affiliate note: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, it helps keep this checker free.
Popular pregnancy food checks
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat Sushi while pregnant?
Sushi is generally not recommended during pregnancy. See the guidance on this page for reasons and any safer alternatives.
Is Sushi safe during pregnancy?
This page lists Sushi as avoid based on pregnancy food-safety guidance. Follow the details above and consult your healthcare provider.
Can pregnant women eat Sushi?
Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid Sushi. Check this page for safer alternatives or preparation notes if shown.
Is Sushi safe in the first trimester?
This page lists Sushi as avoid across pregnancy, including the first trimester. See the Trimester Safety section above and ask your healthcare provider with questions.
Is Sushi safe in the third trimester?
This page lists Sushi as avoid across pregnancy, including the third trimester. See the Trimester Safety section above and ask your healthcare provider with questions.
Checked against FDA, CDC and ACOG guidance.
Sources: FDA
Last Updated: 2026-02-16
How we review: Written by the PregnancySafeFoods editorial team and checked against NHS, CDC, ACOG and FDA guidance. Our editorial policy.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific dietary needs during pregnancy.
Save for later: Bookmark this page (Ctrl+D or Cmd+D) to check back anytime.
Check another food: Search all foods or browse Food Directory.
Share with expecting moms:
Related Foods
Explore more in the same category: