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 and omega-3s, which is why health authorities actively 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.
Pregnancy food-safety basics
Most “can I have this?” questions in pregnancy come down to four things. Listeria — a bacterium that survives the fridge — is why chilled ready-to-eat meats, pâté, and mould-ripened soft cheeses are heated or avoided. Mercury is why certain fish are limited. Caffeine is capped at about 200 mg a day. And alcohol is best avoided entirely, as no safe amount is known. Cooking food until it’s steaming hot kills listeria and most other bugs, which is why “heat until steaming” solves so many of these questions.
For the full picture, see our pregnancy safety guide, and 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 and omega-3s, which is why health authorities actively 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 and omega-3s, which is why health authorities actively 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.