ate a mcflurry didnt realise it was a nono

[loulabump]

Hi girls, after a little advice please! Went to mcds yesterday and noticed they were doing munchie mcflurry.. not usually an ice cream eater at all but I love munchies so thought id have one. Later that day I was telling my mum how nice it was and she tells me im not supposed to have them? Im partial to the odd runny fried egg here and there but otherwise ive avoided all foods on the list im supposed to avoid but mcflurries were not mentioned on any list. I went ahead and googled it and now thinking its something to do with machine hygiene and getting listeriosis? Kinda freaked out as it says it can be very damaging to baby but can take weeks for any symptoms to show up? I know theres nothing I can do now and whats done is done but does anyone know of any signs I should be watching out for just in case? Xx

 

[patch2006uk]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry. There's more chance of catching listeria from pre packaged sandwiches, and I've never seen advice to avoid all of those during pregnancy. Follow the NHS guidelines-they're reasonably balanced and sensible. They don't mention soft serve ice cream as something to avoid. I probably wouldn't choose to visit a grimy looking ice cream van for a mr whippy, but a mcflurry machine will be cleaned pretty often and really carries a minuscule risk of making you ill.

 

[kmr1763]

If I can't eat a Mcflurry when I want one, the world sure is an evil place. Do not worry, please. It's the soft serve machine that they say can transfer the bacteria to the ice cream. Am I the only one who eats soft serve at least twice a week? LOL all will be fine.

 

[darcie]

Don't worry I'm sure plenty of pregnant people eat mc flurrys, I'm sure they clean the machines regularly as they will have standards to meet and as pp said it's not like you've gone to a dirty looking ice cream van. Some people don't follow any of the good guidelines. I try not to eat anything I shouldn't but I'm sure I must of slipped up somewhere x

 

[sun]

I've only ever heard the McFlurry thing on BnB - I've never actually seen ice cream on any "food to avoid" list.

 

[wavescrash]

Honestly I wouldn't stress over it. I've been eating Dairy Queen's Blizzards (same as a McFlurry) the last few weeks.

 

[loulabump]

I know it's crazy ive never seen soft ice cream mentioned in any guidelines! And your right theres no standards in an ice cream van haha x

 

[wavescrash]

I didn't know it was a "no no" until my last pregnancy and avoided it with 1 or 2 exceptions. But this time I've had at least 4 or 5 Blizzards in the last 2-3 weeks. I figure the chances are rather slim and I mean... they do tell you to give in to your pregnancy cravings

 

[MoBaby]

Its fine. I have heard the same thing about any soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt. I've eaten both a few times during the pregnancy. I have eaten pretty much as I normally did before pregnancy without avoiding any foods as I feel it is a little overkill. I don't eat a lot of "things to avoid" but I've had sushi a few times and I eat lunch meats at least once weekly. Soft serve here and there won't hurt you at all. No type of icecream is on my foods to avoid list.

 

[wellsk]

As someone else pointed out, it's due to a risk of salmonella and listeria build up in the machine. But it's likely it has been cleaned regularly (otherwise large companies like McDonald's would get in a lot of trouble), and the fact that so much ice cream goes through the machine daily means it's unlikely there would be a build up

I've had a few soft serve ice cream and yoghurt products throughout my pregnancy. I think the risks are extremely low.

 

[wellsk]

P.s. listeria is extremely damaging to everyone, although vulnerable groups (like pregnant women, elderly and children) need to be slightly more cautious. However if I remember, there has only been about 3 outbreaks of listeria in about 10 years (across the US and Europe)! So although it is dangerous, it's also exceptionally rare!

 

[FarmersWife5]

I agree .. I wouldn't worry! I have had ice cream from mcdonalds too haha. They also say no cold meat too..I think. But I have also had Subway many times.

 

[loulabump]

Thanks everyone I feel a lot better now I wont dwell on it xx

 

[emsie_123]

With a big comoany like mcdonalds, if there was a risk, it would say in large letters on every cup. They wouldnt risk being sued. I really wouldnt worry hun.

 

[sarahsexy57]

I've been eating so much I shouldn't but I just can't help myself!!! You'll be fine Hun x

 

[patch2006uk]

I agree .. I wouldn't worry! I have had ice cream from mcdonalds too haha. They also say no cold meat too..I think. But I have also had Subway many times.

It's a US thing to avoid cold meats from delis. It's on the NHS's 'things you might choose to avoid if you're worried' section, but it's not actually advised against.

I think part of the reason it's more advised against in the US than over here is due to hygiene standards - we tend to have stricter checks and higher standards for refrigeration over here, apparently.

If you're worried, you can blast the meat in the microwave and heat it thoroughly and it'll kill anything bad, or you can have a subway toasted. Again, it's not something I've worried about during my pregnancies!

 

[Rach79]

I'm going to make the OH take me for a drive through after reading this, I have been desp for a toffee sundae for weeks with extra sauce, woop

 

[MissRhead]

Last time I was pregnant I was eating a mcflurry and drinking a maccies milkshake during labour LOL I have continued to have them every now and then this time to, I wouldn't worry about it at all x

 

[Mum_Of_Roodys]

I think it's all rediculas generations before us went through the war with rations and eating only what ever they could get there hands on so the list of food your not ment to eat I think is totally pointless x

 

[Islas_mummy]

Ooh I had one the other day too! Aren't they delicious?

I wouldn't worry hun!