Can You Eat Mussels While Pregnant?

Everyone gets interesting cravings while pregnant, but not everything that you want is good for you and your baby. Navigating what you can and can’t eat isn’t always fun, having to research before you have a snack, but it’s important to check. One area of much discussion around expectant mothers’ diets is seafood, especially mussels.

Mussels offer exceptional nutritional benefits, but require careful preparation to stay safe for you and your growing baby. If you’re planning a visit to Harbour House or simply looking to expand your home menu, understanding how to select and enjoy seafood safely will give you complete peace of mind. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Is It Safe to Eat Mussels During Pregnancy?

You can safely eat mussels during pregnancy if they are cooked all the way through. Eating raw or undercooked shellfish can cause -foodborne illnesses from bacteria and viruses like norovirus or listeria. Cooking mussels properly kills these germs so that you can enjoy them as a healthy part of your pregnancy diet.

At Harbour House, our chefs take great care in preparing every shellfish dish. We make sure all ingredients are cooked to the right temperature before serving. To stay safe, avoid raw seafood bars or cold pickled seafood that has not been fully heated.

The Health Benefits of Mussels for Mothers

Adding cooked seafood to your weekly meals gives you important nutrients that help your baby grow. Mussels are a great source of lean protein and are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which help support your baby’s brain and visual development. They’re also high in key minerals like Iron, Zinc and selenium, as well as Vitamin B12.

 These nutrients offer a range of benefits: they support healthy red blood cell production, strengthen your immune system, enhance cellular growth, and help prevent pregnancy fatigue. Cooked shellfish can be a great choice for a healthy diet thanks to these nutrients.

Can You Eat Green Mussels While Pregnant?

Whether they’re green-lipped or blue, no matter the colour, the rules remain the same: Make sure they’re fully cooked and steamed all the way through. Mussels are ready to eat when their shells open wide, which means they have reached a safe temperature. If a mussel still doesn’t open after cooking, it’s not safe to eat.

If your dish includes a mix of seafood, like shellfish with clams or prawns, check that everything is steaming hot. Throw away any shellfish that stay closed after cooking.

Pregnancy-Safe Dishes at Harbour House

At Harbour House, we use fresh, local ingredients in all our seafood dishes and prepare them with care. If you’re dining with us, you’ll find several menu options that are perfect for expectant mothers.

Safe Shellfish Options

• West Country Mussels: Cooked thoroughly in a fragrant ginger, chilli and lemongrass broth.
• Seafood Linguine: A comforting bowl featuring mussels, clams and prawns with cherry tomatoes and lemon.
• South Coast Scallops: Seared and served with chorizo, chilli and garlic butter.
• King Prawns: Cooked in white wine and served over fresh sourdough.

Other Cooked Mains

• Fish & Chips: Crispy beer-battered skin-on haddock served with thick-cut chips and crushed peas.
• Grilled Octopus: Fully cooked and paired with cherry tomatoes, capers, samphire and new potatoes.
• Trout Risotto: Cooked trout served with a rich saffron and lobster bisque risotto.

Our mussels are a great choice as they’re paired with ginger, containing many useful antioxidants. These have anti-inflammatory properties which support joint health and boost immune function throughout pregnancy.

 Ginger can also help relieve pregnancy-related morning sickness and nausea by calming the stomach and aiding digestion. We recommend skipping raw dishes on our menu during pregnancy, like Porthilly oysters or gin-cured trout.

Enjoying Seafood Safely

Eating seafood during pregnancy can be simple and worry-free. Choose fully cooked dishes and eat at trusted restaurants so you can enjoy your favourite foods and keep your baby safe.

If you have dietary questions or want to discuss menu changes, our staff is here to help. Contact Harbour House to book your table or learn about our daily specials.