POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Nutrition & HIV => Topic started by: coastguy on August 09, 2006, 05:33:33 pm
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Should a person with HIV eat Sushi ? VL undetectable CD4 1052. No hx of OIs.
Thanks,
Coast Guy ???
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a person? as in you? ;) with a CD4 count at 1,052 and undetectable VL it's probably safe to eat sushi
under 100 would be a different story
ask your doctor too (as always)
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Hey Coast Guy,
I agree. With CD4s like yours, you are probably at no more risk than the average neggie out there.
The one caveat I would include would be to make sure the establishment is top notch, always a good idea with sushi anyway.
Also, If my CD4s dropped below 350, I would be hesitant. I say this only because people with HIV are much more highly disposed to food poisoning (i.e. contaminated foods causing bacterial infections and problems in the gut) and for that infection to progress to a more troublesome type of disease.
I, for one, love sushi and do endulge at times. (Not all that often though. I live in New Mexico, a land-locked state with no beach in site.)
HUGS,
Mark
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I ate sushi a few days ago and I was thinking about raw fish and a weak immune system...fortunately nothing bad happened.
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My doctor warned me when my cd4s were in the 2-300 range about eating sushi. That was eons ago and a couple doctors ago as well and I've not heard any warnings because my numbers are +800.
A quick search shows that these should be avoided as well:
Rare or medium-rare hamburger and turkey burger.
Unpasteurized fruit juices.
Raw sprouts.
Raw or undercooked eggs.
Raw shellfish, such as oysters.
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eep. I eat all that stuff.
:)
Only thing that's made me sick has been water :)
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I'm not sure of how your Sushi place is run. Ours is great, but, the raw fish sushi (spicey Tuna, Salmon) they serve has been previously frozen to kill any residents that might be hiding in it. I used to eat fresh, raw sushi when I lived in Portland, Oregon, but that was in the late 70's.
I guess in many areas, fresh (not previously frozen) raw Sushi is served, but when we started going to the place we go to now, I asked.
I don't eat raw oysters anymore (that was before I was diagnosed). Got sick too many times from them. But I make a great oyster stuffing for turkey ;D
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Freezing works well on killing certain living parasites, but notably neither freezing nor cooking will get rid of certain toxins found in shellfish. This is probably only an issue for the immunocompromised -- and not so worrisome for most (fish) sushi -- but good to know.
When I go out for sushi, I make a point of ordering the eel (and a few other items) which are cooked. Then you get all the tastiness without the worry.
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I've eaten many things, but have yet to try eel ::) ;D
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Think of eel as a long, skinny fish and you get over your aversion.
Halibut, which we all consider "normal," is much weirder than your average, run-of-mill fish from a biological perspective. An eel is just a fish stretched out. :) Does that help?
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I have often wondered how people can eat raw fish, I hate fish but loves some chitlins...lol...But I only eat them when I cook them.....yum!
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I've been eating sushi and sashimi (specifically raw fish) on a weekly basis since I've had a cd4 count of 35 (that was a year ago). I love the stuff, and have never been a fan of going without things in life that I enjoy. I do however, make sure I buy it from a reputable and clean outlet and that it is fresh. Ultimately, it's your choice about what you choose to stuff in your mouth.
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Oh man......now I have a hankering for sushi. Northern Michigan doesn't present much in the line of Japanese food...but we have Mexican food up the butt....and out the butt just as fast.
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Oh man......now I have a hankering for sushi. Northern Michigan doesn't present much in the line of Japanese food...but we have Mexican food up the butt....and out the butt just as fast.
Oh Lordy! Mexican food in Michigan? EEP!
No, no, my dear. You must visit me one day. I will treat your tastebuds to some cuisine Nuevo Mexicano. There is none other like it.
Spicy, delicious, fattening and something I could eat daily. (Of course, I am a native.)
I hear they grow awesome cherries in Michigan. Is that true? I love cherries.
HUGS,
Mark
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I will have to come visit! Michigan should never have mexican food. Ever.
Traverse City is the cherry captial of the world!! =)
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My wife and i eat sushi about 3 times a week. its delicious and good for you. My cd4 is 138 last time i checked. I still eat it and plenty of it. No probs at all.
~Mort
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I have always wondered how something raw like fish could be good for you? If someone could please explain that one to me....
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Hey Akasha,
Actually, not all sushi is raw. Some, like the eel, crab and, at times, shrimp, are cooked before being rolled into those delightful shapes.
Some is raw, however.
The rule of thumb of Hi-fivers is to always assume food is contaminated. Raw foods are inherently dangerous. I know many partake without adverse effects, as our Mort has just stated.
But trust me, all it takes is once and BAMMO!
I used to love oysters on the half shell, and with my current CD4 I could still. The problem is, I used to shuck oysters for a living and I've seen what comes crawling out at times when you least expect it.
Now, I still eat sushi, but I am very selective and, should my CD4 drip below 500, I would cease consuming it unless it is of the cooked variety.
But you really should try the eel. It is fabulous.
HUGS,
Mark
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I actually just had eel two weeks ago for the first time. I don't eat sushi oftern but when I do I really enjoy it. I must say that the eel tasted excellent (but not like chicken, although I did tell the sushi chefs that..come to thnk of it, they were pretty sexy). err, I digress. It was a reputable place and expensive, but if I'm gonna eat sushi, I feel that paying more equates to better preparation. Just my 2 cents.
And I agree with cubbybear, that I really don't like to give up things I enjoy. There's bad stuff out there period, neg or poz, you just have to be careful either way. Life's too short for me to give up the foods/drinks I love regardless of my status, although I watch it more closely now.
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I wouldn't worry about it!
Lots of people mistake sushi with sashimi. Typically, most of the sushi Americans are referring to are things such as California rolls and things which actually contain cooked items though not all. I can't see these as being any more dangerous than a salad.
Sashimi I have never cared for anyway and I wouldn't have eaten it before being diagnosed.
Your counts are great. I wouldn't be concerned at all. I agree with the other poster that if your counts were very low you want to avoid taking chances.
I'm a big seafood lover, but I generally go for cooked things. I happen to love shrimp, but I will say I choose the fresh kind that I can boil and know it's safe rather than the precooked.
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Funny that I came across this while eating a sashimi platter accompanied by warm sake. I agree that having a relationship with the chef where you go is imperative. My guy knows that I am a Pozitron. If he feels there is anything not quite "on" he warns me against it. It could just be the sake that goes in and cauterizes any nasties from the raw fish. Try Toro if you can. it is the most delicious part of the tuna.
And I agree on anything eel. Have gone on eel hand roll binges that would make those competitive eater dudes wince.
Peace.
Tony
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OK, now I'm having cravings for sushi. I've eaten so much holiday fare I am sick.
Tony, I have had sashimi, but its not high on my preference list. I also usually avoid California rolls because they usually contain artifical crab, which contains wheat byproducts, to which I am intolerant.
But, hmmmm, eel certainly sounds very yummy right now.
HUGS,
Mark
I just realized I used to CD4 levels in two posts on this thread. Let me just say should my CD4s drop below 500, I would be hesitant to eat sushi unless it was the cooked variety and from a very reputable establishment.
If they drop below 350, I would avoid it altogether if I were not absolutely certain the cooked and raw ingredients were kept completely separate at all times.
But, until that time comes, look out! ;D
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Here in YVR we're blessed with a lot of Japanese restaurants and fresh fish caught right offshore. Having to give up sushi would be a real blow, almost as bad as having to give up the large Kirin and Asahi ;)
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Mark...Have you ever made your own sushi? Its really easy to do and you put anything in it you want. Start by going to a store that sells supplies.
I have had a selection of sushi...not all of the sushi rolls contain raw fish. You could just as easily replace the raw fish with pickeled or cooked.
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Hey Bear,
I haven't yet, but I have recently acquired the supplies to begin making my own sushi.
With my lipid levels turning my blood into oily syrup, I think more fish is definitely in order and sushi would be a great way to keep it from getting boring.
HUGS,
Mark
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Mark...
I hope your blood doesnt get that bad!!!! Making sushi was such a treat, and I learned from a lovely Hawiian guy of Japanese descent. It was so much fun to shop at a Japanese type store and then make our own sushi. I was living near Seattle at the time.
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Mmmmm, I've just caught up with this thread Guys and now I'm getting hungry, I love Sushi but don't get to eat it that often although I try to visit an excellent Japanese restaurant in nearby Leeds everytime I visit or a not quite so good one here in Manchester. To be honest I'd never given any thought to my CD4 count or anything nor was I ever warned against it :o, but as I've never to my knowledge been below 190 and usually above this I've possibly just been lucky.
I have only a few comments to make;
With regard to the raw fish (is that Sashimi?), if you've ever googled "cod worm" you probably never ever would again :-X, although the cooked and pre-frozen ones should be OK.
EEL?? Ugggh. I only ever tried jellied eels once in London, I also refer to the above 'cos they look similar and - err, the Manchester Ship Canal isn't renowned for the high quality of it's wildlife ;D
The only serious thing I have to say is about anything with a shellfish content. If you have cholesterol problems avoid it... except on rare occasions 'cos it contains very high levels of the stuff -- shame it tastes so damn good :'(
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Eel (Unagi) & Cucumber Sushi Rolls.. YUM, and next to raw salmon or raw tuna Sushi Rolls, are my favourite. And I love Sashimi. I've been terrible and ate Sushi and Sashimi even when my CD4 count was well below 50.. but I always made sure it was fresh, well stored and prepared hygenically, or better still, made my own, which is quite fun.
Bring on the Sushi! I have it at least once or twice a week.
Mark that artifical crab/seafood stuff is disgusting.. I certainly don't blame you from not eating it. It also contains a large % of tripe (the stomach lining from a cow!) *gag*
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Just to warn you guys, I used to wait tables at a fancy Japanese restaurant when I was schooling in LA, and one of my co worker's husband was sushi chef. She told me that I should not order spicy tuna roll because they will use the "left over," "scraps,' or "left over," part of the fish for that spciy mixture at the beggining of their shift. Since then, as tasty as they are, I never get that particular roll. I tend to stick with more fishy sushi or sashimi in general such as Uni or Spanish Aji.
I LOVE UNI, I even got pinned by one when I was trying to dig one up from the sea floor in Maui. There is something about uni, anybody else like that stuff?
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Just to warn you guys, I used to wait tables at a fancy Japanese restaurant when I was schooling in LA, and one of my co worker's husband was sushi chef. She told me that I should not order spicy tuna roll because they will use the "left over," "scraps,' or "left over," part of the fish for that spciy mixture at the beggining of their shift. Since then, as tasty as they are, I never get that particular roll.
Thanks for the 411
Spicy shady tuna roll - None for me thanks! :D