Along with morning sickness, swollen feet and huge boobs, pregnancy comes with a ton of guidelines regarding what you can and can’t eat. Say goodbye to soft cheese, don't even think about wine, and if you're caught outside with a cup of coffee, good luck to you. While it’s usually up to the individual’s discretion whether or not they indulge on occasion (within reason, of course), for Hilary Duff it’s apparently non-negotiable.
The 30-year-old, who is expecting her second child with boyfriend Matthew Koma, sparked public outrage over the weekend after she shared an Instagram video of herself within sniff-distance of sushi.
“Had the dreamiest of nights with this babe @tomoko_spa +@moflo1 woooow weeee #couplesmassage lol #tomokospa,” she captioned the clip of herself and a pal raising a toast.
And although we can’t be sure if she ever consumed any raw fish, trolls still felt the need to scold her for putting her unborn baby at risk. “Veggie-only sushi I hope. No sushi while pregnant,” one user commented. “Wait, sushi when you’re pregnant?” another added. Many of her fans defended her, pointing out that she was likely well-aware that pregnant women are more at risk of food poisoning.
“I’m sure she’s smart enough to know what she can and can’t eat,” one commenter responded. “It’s not like she is dumb or pregnant for the first time ever.” For the record, not all sushi is off-limits when you’re expecting.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand advise the following: “Fish that may contain high levels of mercury – no more than one serve (100g cooked) per fortnight of shark/flake, marlin or broadbill/ swordfish, and no other fish that fortnight, or one serve (100g cooked) per week of orange roughy (deep sea perch) or catfish and no other fish that week.”
If you are interested in learning the proper way to eat raw fish, in a manner that complements the natural taste of ingredients have a look at renowned Japanese Sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
Chef Matsuhisa - who owns 47 highly regarded Nobu restaurants worldwide, recently opening one in London - is quite clear on the rules he's provided. For one, you don't need extra wasabi. Matsuhisa says: "there should always be inside, between the rice and fish."
Interestingly chopsticks are not essential but it does depend on what kind you're eating. Matsuhisa says: "You can use chopsticks or your fingers - it doesn't matter." Sushi wrapped in seaweed, nori, maki etc. can be consumed with your hands. The seaweed stops your hands contaminating the delicate flavours.
When it comes to using chopsticks though - using it for nigiri and other sushi without seaweed- turn the nigiri on its side with your chopsticks, so when you pick it up, there's minimal spillage. It's a great disgrace to drop sushi at the table, as you can imagine. You should also dip your sushi "sushi down" into your soy sauce.
"A more traditional way of eating sushi is to take the fish, dip it into soy and then put the wasabi on the middle of the fish," Matsuhisa says. There are also three staples sashimi, nigiri, and roll. All sushi should be eaten in one bite too. Hopefully, with these tips, your sushi etiquette improves massively.
If all else fails, just remember: you can use your hands. In any case, what Hilary (or any other pregnant woman) wants to chow down on is entirely up to her. Maybe just let her be?
