Can pregnant women with high blood sugar lower their blood glucose by eating salmon?

Jul 15, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My last prenatal checkup showed slightly high blood sugar. We're having Japanese food together today, including sashimi. Can pregnant women with high blood sugar eat salmon to lower their blood sugar levels?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Elevated blood sugar in pregnant women cannot be directly reduced by consuming salmon, but moderate intake can help stabilize blood glucose levels. Salmon is rich in high-quality protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin D, B vitamins, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and selenium. These nutrients are beneficial to both maternal health and fetal development. Particularly, the unsaturated fatty acids (such as Omega-3 fatty acids) help reduce blood viscosity and lower the risk of hypertension, high blood sugar, and cardiovascular diseases. It is worth noting that salmon also contains a certain amount of cholesterol, and excessive consumption may lead to elevated blood pressure. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women consume only small amounts of salmon and combine it with other low-sugar, high-fiber foods to maintain stable blood glucose levels. In addition, pregnant women should avoid eating raw salmon to prevent bacterial or parasitic infections.