Yes, as long as it is fully cooked. Shrimp is one of the lowest-mercury seafoods, and the FDA and EPA list it among the “Best Choices” for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It provides protein, iodine, vitamin B12 and some omega-3 fats, all useful during pregnancy.
How much seafood is recommended
The FDA/EPA advice is to eat 2 to 3 servings a week of fish and shellfish from the “Best Choices” list, which is about 8 to 12 ounces in total. Shrimp, salmon, sardines, cod, tilapia, canned light tuna and pollock are on it. Seafood supports the baby’s brain and eye development.
What to avoid are the high-mercury fish: king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico and bigeye tuna. The full chart is on the FDA’s advice about eating fish page.
Raw and undercooked shrimp: avoid
Pregnancy weakens parts of the immune system, so foodborne infections are more likely and can be more serious. Raw or undercooked shellfish can carry bacteria (vibrio, listeria, salmonella), viruses such as norovirus, and parasites. Skip:
- Shrimp sushi and sashimi, ceviche (lime juice does not kill germs the way heat does).
- Refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is cooked into a dish.
- Shrimp cocktails from buffets that have been sitting out.
Cooking it safely
- Cook shrimp until the flesh is pearly and opaque and reaches 145°F (63°C). It should curl into a loose “C”; a tight “O” means overcooked but still safe.
- Thaw frozen shrimp in the fridge or under cold running water, not on the counter.
- Keep raw seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods, and wash hands and boards after handling.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days.
Shellfish allergy
If you are allergic to shellfish, pregnancy does not change that: avoid it. If you have never eaten shrimp and have other food allergies, talk to your provider first. Pregnancy is not a reason to avoid shrimp just to prevent allergies in the baby; current guidance does not support that.
How often to put shrimp on the menu
Cooked shrimp, two or three times a week as part of your seafood total, is a good choice. For more questions, read can I eat spicy food while pregnant and are grapes safe in pregnancy. FoodSafety.gov lists the other foods to avoid.
