Whether it's a quick lunch on the run or a five-course feast at a four-star restaurant, there will be plenty of times during your pregnancy when you'll be doing the eating — but not the cooking. While it'll certainly be a relief to be relieved of the cooking — don't forget that you're still on baby-nourishing duty even when you're not on kitchen detail. Keep your uterine café catering to your baby's nutritional best interests at 17 weeks pregnant by following a few key guidelines when you're dining out.You may not always have this opportunity, but seize it when you can. (Cash in the "I'm pregnant, I'm fussy" chip whenever possible.) Certain restaurants are better suited to the pregnant diner than others (a fish restaurant with a salad bar, good — a sushi bar restaurant with limited cooked options, not so good). If heartburn or other tummy troubles have your meal options limited to the bland, blander, and blandest, you may want to opt out of that spicy new Indian place, or that eatery that prides itself in frying everything (including the ice cream).

Speak up about special requests. You're not the only picky eater these days. Wait staff and chefs in most establishments are used to (if still not always particularly happy with) substitutions of all kinds. Go ahead and hold the mayo, ask for your dressing and sauce on the side; skip the bacon and blue cheese on the Cobb, see if the rare duck breast can be served cooked through.Many restaurants serve entrée portions large enough to feed small villages (or at least, small families). Resist the temptation to be queen of the clean plate club (you'll only pay the price in indigestion — as well as in too many pounds if you're dining out often). Instead, leave over what you're too full to eat and doggie bag leftovers for tomorrow's lunch or dinner. Or ask for half-portions.Don't be misled by the bread. Search out whole-grain options when you dig into the bread basket. Ask if the kitchen has some on hand (if they serve sandwiches, they probably have sliced whole-wheat available). No wheat in sight?

Have some white — but try not to fill up on those empty calories. where to buy sushi rice in the ukInstead, quickly order a healthy appetizer.free online games of sushiMake a habit of ordering a salad or grilled veggies as your first course, or a sautéed leafy green such as spinach, escarole, or broccoli as a side.sushi friends game onlineIf there's lentil, bean, or vegetable soup on the menu, order a bowlful. can you order sushi to goSame goes for tomato-based broths and chowders (take Manhattan when it comes to clam). Avoid bisques and other cream soups unless they're made with milk or yogurt in lieu of heavy cream and butter.

The only way to know is to ask. (Don't be shy — everybody's doing it these days. Besides, you're pregnant — it's kind of obvious why you're nutrition-conscious.)Scope out the sides. Even fast-food restaurants offer healthy side dishes these days (baked potato with that?). Ask and ye shall receive: steamed veggies, that baked potato (instead of the fries or onion rings), yams, and brown or wild rice are all super sides.Indulge in a variety of healthy options at ethnic restaurants — tummy permitting (and it won't always be). When in Italian restaurants, dine as the Romans do, on grilled or braised fish, chicken, veal, or lean beef entrées accompanied by gorgeous greens; or pasta and pizza with fresh tomato sauce, seafood, or cheese. Enjoy teriyaki fish or chicken, miso soup, edamame, and soba noodle dishes in Japanese restaurants (as well as sushi featuring cooked fish or vegetables). As long as your stomach's amenable to the spices, Indian restaurants make a particularly nutritious option (order practically anything that isn't fried, especially tandoori-grilled meats marinated in yogurt, vegetable and lentil dishes, and whole-grain breads).

And for a Mexican fiesta, enjoy black bean soup, fajitas (you'll score plenty of vitamins from those bell peppers) with corn tortillas, fresh salsa, and guacamole.Fill up before dessert. Try not to save room for that Mississippi mud pie, but if you're still hungry (or hankering for something sweet) after the main course, ask for fresh fruit, sorbet, or frozen yogurt. Your name won't be mud if you do end up giving into the mud pie (as long as you're not giving in every day), but you'll feel better in the morning if you stop at a few bites before passing the dessert (and the calories) to the other end of the table.See more tips for eating well while pregnant.Skip to main content Pin to DashboardPinned 0 times. Is It Safe To Eat Sushi While Pregnant? Post in our General Questions forumFind a discussion topic that suits you What are Pregnancy Complications with Twins? Is it Safe to Eat Meat During Pregnancy?Pregnancy & BirthMy Pregnant BodyPregnancy NutritionBest Food Orders For a Healthy Pregnancy Knowing what to eat during pregnancy (and what not to eat!) can be tricky when eating out, but our handy cheat-sheet can help you order a healthy meal.

Facebook Pinterest Twitter Google Plus Text EmailMost women who are pregnant or wishing to become pregnant have heard the warnings about eating sushi. There are risks to pregnant women due to certain bacteria and increased exposure to mercury. But, women also need to remember that not all sushi is uncooked, and most fish contain essential nutrients and vitamins needed for growth and development of their baby. Eating fish that is cooked can help reduce the risk of exposure to certain bacteria. Eating fish that is not on the “high” mercury list is also a way to eat fish safely. The NRDC has compiled a list of fish used in sushi and where they rank in their levels of mercury. Many of the main sushi type fish contain high levels of mercury and should be completely avoided or eaten very rarely.  If you have further questions regarding sushi, you should talk with your health care provider to get their recommendation. Sushi with Higher Levels of Mercury Avoid the following sushi while pregnant:

Inada (very young yellowtail) Kanpachi (very young yellowtail) Maguro (bigeye, bluefin or yellowfin tuna) Meji (young bigeye, bluefin* or yellowfin tuna) Seigo (young sea bass)* Toro (bigeye, bluefin or yellowfin tuna) The FDA has identified four fish with the highest levels of mercury that should be avoided during pregnancy. These include tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, swordfish, shark, and king mackerel. Albacore tuna should also be limited to 6 ounces per week. Sushi with Lower Levels of Mercury Enjoy up to two 6-oz servings a week: Hamo (pike conger; sea eel) Tobikko (flying fish egg) Uni (sea urchin roe) About the Mercury level categories: The categories on the list are determined according to the following mercury levels in the flesh of the tested fish. Lower Mercury: Less than 0.29 parts per million High Mercury: More than 0.3 parts per million List obtained from the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) from data obtained by the FDA and the EPA.