Can You Eat Shrimp While Pregnant?
Yes — thoroughly cooked shrimp is one of the recommended low-mercury seafoods in pregnancy.
The full answer
Shrimp is low in mercury and a good source of protein, which is why health authorities encourage cooked shrimp as part of the 8–12 oz (about 2–3 servings) of low-mercury seafood recommended each week in pregnancy. The only real rule is that it must be fully cooked — shrimp turns pink and opaque and curls into a C-shape when done. Raw or undercooked shrimp (and raw shellfish generally) can carry bacteria and viruses that cause food poisoning, which hits harder in pregnancy. Cooked shrimp in stir-fries, pasta, curries, or a cooked shrimp cocktail is a healthy choice.
How to eat shrimp safely
- Cook until pink, opaque, and curled — internal temp 145°F (63°C)
- Enjoy as part of ~8–12 oz low-mercury seafood per week
- Reheat pre-cooked shrimp until steaming hot
When to avoid: Avoid raw shrimp, raw shellfish, and shrimp that smells of ammonia or looks grey/translucent.
Shrimp by trimester
| Stage | What changes |
|---|---|
| First trimester | Thoroughly cooked shrimp is generally encouraged — it's among the lower-mercury seafood and a useful protein source when appetite is unpredictable. Raw or undercooked shellfish is the thing to avoid. |
| Second trimester | Unchanged. This is often when seafood becomes appealing again after first-trimester aversions, and shrimp is one of the easier options to eat hot and freshly cooked. |
| Third trimester | Same guidance. Cold, ready-to-eat cooked shrimp — from a pack, counter or buffet — is the one to skip unless you heat it until steaming hot. |
Common questions about shrimp in pregnancy
Is shrimp safe during pregnancy?
Properly cooked shrimp is generally regarded as one of the better seafood choices in pregnancy — low in mercury and recommended in most guidance. The advice is about raw and undercooked shellfish, and about anything held at the wrong temperature.
How do I know shrimp is cooked through?
Cooked shrimp turns opaque and pink and curls into a loose C shape; a tight O usually means overcooked rather than undercooked. If it's still translucent or grey in the middle, it needs longer.
What about prawn cocktail or cold shrimp?
The NHS now advises heating cold, ready-to-eat cooked prawns until steaming hot before you eat them, because of listeria. So a cold prawn cocktail is best skipped. Shrimp cooked and served hot is the safer choice.
The general rules on listeria, mercury, caffeine and alcohol are in our pregnancy safety guide, and you can track your pregnancy with the How Far Along Am I? calculator and the week-by-week guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you eat shrimp while pregnant?
- Yes — thoroughly cooked shrimp is one of the recommended low-mercury seafoods in pregnancy. Shrimp is low in mercury and a good source of protein, which is why health authorities encourage cooked shrimp as part of the 8–12 oz (about 2–3 servings) of low-mercury seafood recommended each week in pregnancy. The only real rule is that it must be fully cooked — shrimp turns pink and opaque and curls into a C-shape when done. Raw or undercooked shrimp (and raw shellfish generally) can carry bacteria and viruses that cause food poisoning, which hits harder in pregnancy. Cooked shrimp in stir-fries, pasta, curries, or a cooked shrimp cocktail is a healthy choice.
- Why is shrimp considered safe in pregnancy?
- Shrimp is low in mercury and a good source of protein, which is why health authorities encourage cooked shrimp as part of the 8–12 oz (about 2–3 servings) of low-mercury seafood recommended each week in pregnancy. The only real rule is that it must be fully cooked — shrimp turns pink and opaque and curls into a C-shape when done. Raw or undercooked shrimp (and raw shellfish generally) can carry bacteria and viruses that cause food poisoning, which hits harder in pregnancy. Cooked shrimp in stir-fries, pasta, curries, or a cooked shrimp cocktail is a healthy choice.
- When should I avoid shrimp during pregnancy?
- Avoid raw shrimp, raw shellfish, and shrimp that smells of ammonia or looks grey/translucent.
Sources
This answer was checked against the following public guidance. Advice can differ between countries; your midwife, doctor or pharmacist can apply it to you.