"Is it okay for me to eat sushi?"

Ob-gyne and vice-chief of the Menopause Clinic at St. Luke`s Medical Center Prudence Aquino, M.D., F.P.O.G.S, advises against raw foods “to avoid stomach illness.” Stay away from raw eggs, meat, and fish, especially shellfish like oysters and clams. There are certain bacteria present in raw food. Fish that contain high levels of mercury should also be avoided. Methyl mercury is a form of mercury that can harm an unborn child’s nervous system if eaten regularly. But fish have nutrients that are good for the baby.

Cooked fish can reduce the risk of exposure to certain bacteria. Below is a list of fish that should be completely avoided due to high levels of mercury:

• Kajiki (swordfish)
• Saba (mackerel)
• Shark
• Tilefish
• *Ahi (yellowfin tuna)
• *Maguro (bigeye, bluefin or yellowfin tuna)
• *Makjiki (blue marlin)
• *Masu (trout)
• *Shiro (albacore tuna)

*Eat no more than three 6-oz servings a month

Photography by David Hanson Ong