Prenatal nutrition2 min readUpdated October 14, 2026

Sushi, Salads, BBQ and Cheese Boards: Pregnancy Food-Safety Analysis

Pregnancy food-safety analysis for international favorites like sushi, salads, BBQ and cheese boards

Sushi, Salads, BBQ and Cheese Boards: Pregnancy Food-Safety Analysis

Pregnancy Meal Planner Team · Pregnancy Meal Planner Nutrition Editorial (WHO/CDC/NHS/ACOG)

Introduction

When it comes to pregnancy, choosing safe and nutritious food is crucial. However, with the variety of international dishes, many pregnant women feel confused about what to eat and what to avoid. In this article, we will analyze the food safety for pregnant women with regards to sushi, salads, BBQ and cheese boards.

Food Safety Analysis

According to the CDC and NHS, pregnant women should avoid eating the following foods:

* Uncooked or unpasteurized sushi and sashimi

* Unwashed and unpasteurized salads

* Undercooked BBQ

* Unpasteurized soft cheese

However, if these dishes are cooked or pasteurized properly, they can become a good source of nutrition for pregnant women.

Nutrient Combination

To ensure adequate nutrition, pregnant women should combine the following foods:

* Cooked sushi with vegetables and fruits

* Salads with cooked protein and vegetables

* BBQ with vegetables and fruits

* Pasteurized soft cheese with fruits and vegetables

Foods to Avoid

According to the FDA and EPA, pregnant women should avoid eating fish high in mercury, such as shark, swordfish and king mackerel. Additionally, they should avoid eating uncooked or unpasteurized foods, such as raw eggs, raw meat and unpasteurized milk.

Practical Tips

To ensure food safety, pregnant women should:

* Always check the origin and quality of food

* Cook food properly

* Pasteurize food before eating

* Avoid eating expired or spoiled food

When to Seek Help

If pregnant women have any questions or concerns about food safety, they should seek help from their doctor or a nutritionist. Additionally, if they experience any symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea after eating, they should seek help immediately.

Explore on Pregnancy Meal Planner

Use these Pregnancy Meal Planner pages next — each link goes to a different part of the site:

Sources

* CDC: People at Risk: Pregnant Women — Food Safety — https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/people-at-risk/pregnant-women.html

* NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy — https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/

* FDA: Food Safety for Pregnant Women — https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-pregnant-women

For more information on pregnancy meal planning and nutrition, please visit our website or read more on this topic

Educational overview inspired by Pregnancy Meal Planner Editorial. Not a verbatim copy.

Frequently asked questions

What should pregnant women eat to ensure adequate nutrition?
Pregnant women should eat nutrient-rich foods, including protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. They should combine foods to ensure adequate nutrition
What foods should pregnant women avoid?
Pregnant women should avoid eating uncooked or unpasteurized foods, including uncooked sushi and sashimi, unwashed and unpasteurized salads, undercooked BBQ and unpasteurized soft cheese
What should pregnant women do if they experience symptoms after eating?
If pregnant women experience any symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea after eating, they should seek help immediately from their doctor or a nutritionist

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