Can You Eat Oysters While Pregnant? Is It Safe 2024?

Pregnancy is the most wonderful time in a woman’s life, but it comes with certain limitations and negative symptoms and may require prenatal supplements and food restrictions. There are some very strict rules on which foods to eat or avoid during pregnancy, and you might wonder which ones you can still get away with if prepared differently. 

Many women wonder whether you can eat oysters while pregnant and whether or not you can cook them or bake them instead of eating them raw like they’re usually offered on menus in restaurants. 

Raw oysters as well as smoked oysters are not considered safe for consumption during pregnancy. Eating raw or undercooked seafood can potentially be infected with harmful bacteria and parasites such as Vibrio vulnificus^[1], Toxoplasma gondii^[3], and Escherichia^[4] species, which can cause serious health complications and even become life-threatening. 

Hepatitis A^[5] is also a risk with eating raw oysters. This viral infection can be associated with preterm labor^[6] and premature birth.

That’s why not only oysters but all raw or uncooked seafood is considered to be on the foods-to-avoid list during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

When eating in restaurants, even in the most high-valued establishments, it’s always important to be wary of their hygienic reputations and safe food practices. Even if something is cooked well, it doesn’t mean it couldn’t be contaminated by bacteria. 

All it takes is one careless employee who neglects to handwash and it can taint even thoroughly cooked items. Look around and don’t hesitate to leave if you have any doubts.

Eating seafood during pregnancy is generally considered to be one of the healthiest diets you can follow, with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a plethora^[7] of health benefits it brings to the table. 

From reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and blood clots to lowering the level of inflammation in your body and keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar within healthy ranges, seafood provides amazing nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for your overall health and longevity. Also, the iodine in seafood^[8] helps support thyroid health.

The question some people ask is can you eat any shellfish while pregnant? Shellfish include^[9] crustaceans (crab, lobster, crayfish, shrimp, prawn) and mollusks (squid, snails, clams, oysters, scallops). The answer is, once again, yes–just not raw. 

In addition to potential food poisoning caused by bacteria or viruses, one of the greatest dangers^[10] linked to seafood is mercury, a toxic metal that can wreak havoc on your body if it starts accumulating^[11] in your liver. 

Mercury poisoning^[12] is especially dangerous to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as it can negatively impact reproductive function, fertility, and fetal development. It is associated^[9] with lower birth weight and with cognitive impairment in the child.

That’s why in 2017, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), published revised advice^[13] regarding mercury levels in seafood and the recommended consumption during pregnancy, breastfeeding mothers, parents of young children, as well as those women trying to become pregnant. 

The revised advice recommends consuming eight to twelve ounces of different types of low-mercury seafood (60 different varieties) per week. It also recommends one serving of medium-mercury fish such as albacore and avoiding fish with the highest mercury content such as sharks, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, marlin, tilefish, and others. 

Oysters, among other kinds of seafood, are comparatively low in mercury content^[14] and are offered as a great alternative to other choices.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists^[15] (ACOG) supports these recommendations and encourages women to follow this advice and keep it up during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Women who have a shellfish allergy should stay away from oysters as it could potentially cause severe complications^[16], preterm labor, and even become life-endangering. 

Benefits of Eating Oysters During Pregnancy

Oysters, usually eaten raw or smoked, instead should be fully cooked during pregnancy, which is the safest way you can eat them. 

Oysters are an excellent source^[17] of omega-3 fatty acids which are crucial in fetal brain development and have a role as building blocks for the retina of the eye. The visual function and the neurodevelopmental status of the baby are strongly influenced^[18] by the level of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Oysters are also rich in zinc^[19], a very important mineral during pregnancy that’s responsible for supporting the growth and development of the fetus. That’s why all the expert recommendations include increasing your consumption of fish and other seafood instead of wondering if you should eat seafood during pregnancy or not.  

How much seafood you can eat while pregnant depends on a variety of factors, but, generally, you shouldn’t be concerned about having too much if you adhere to the mercury guidelines. 

The daily recommended intake of zinc increases during pregnancy as the fetus draws it from the mother’s blood and placenta throughout the trimesters. 

Oysters are also rich in vitamin B12^[20], one of the most important micronutrients for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Deficiencies have been linked^[21] to anemia and neural tube defects^[22], causing conditions like

• Spina bifida^[23] – where the spine does not develop correctly
• Anencephaly – a condition where the baby is born without a part of the brain or the skull
• Encephalocele^[24] – a sac-like protrusion of a part of the brain through a hole in the skull

And last but not least, oysters are very low in mercury, making them one of the safest seafood options for pregnant women. Eating oysters is, therefore, not only safe and healthy for pregnant women, but also for the fetus and infant, promoting their eye and brain health. 

Potential Side Effects

Fully cooked oysters shouldn’t invoke any side effects, so if you start experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be dealing with food poisoning; it’s crucial to immediately call your doctor or go to the emergency room. These side effects include

• Nausea
• Severe stomach pain
• Digestive discomfort that’s hard to bear
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Developing signs of dehydration

Since some of these symptoms^[25] are normal during pregnancy anyway, track whether or not they worsen after eating oysters. 

How to Prepare Oysters Properly at Home

To enjoy oysters during pregnancy without worrying about potential toxicity, you only need to fully cook them. Raw or smoked oysters are the ones you should stay away from. It’s always important to get fresh oysters so the risk of contamination is minimal. 

When preparing oysters at home, it’s important to be extra careful and avoid any potential cross-contamination with other foods and bacteria. 

Always keep your cooking surface clean and use a special cutting board and tools when dealing with raw oysters. It doesn’t matter how you choose to cook your oysters as long as they’re cooked thoroughly. 

There are plenty of recipes out there that suggest roasting them in the oven, grilling them, frying them, or even broiling them with buttery breadcrumbs on top for an extra crunch! 

Whatever cooking method you choose to take, always follow the safety preparation guidelines to minimize the risk of contamination. 

The Bottom Line

Oysters are one of the most nutritious and tastiest seafood ingredients you can enjoy during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They are high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iodine, and vitamin B12 while being what’s considered low-mercury seafood. 

Eating oysters on a consistent basis according to guidelines is healthy for the mom as well as for the fetus and breastfeeding the child, promotes eye and brain development. 

When you think of oysters, you most certainly have a picture of raw oysters on ice with some lemon or lime on the side, but can you eat them raw while pregnant? No. Additionally, smoked oysters are considered only partially processed so they are also not considered safe during pregnancy. 

But can you eat cooked oysters while pregnant? Absolutely! Just make sure you’re cooking oysters properly and you’ll be safe from potential food poisoning or digestive discomfort.

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