I feel stupid........

[BrandysBabies]

When it says not to eat "deli meat" are they refering to the meat that is behind the deli counter at the grocery store that they slice for you, or are they refering to the lunch meat in the cold section by the cheeses? Like the kind in the package that you use for sandwiches?

 

[bananaz]

I've been told that you're supposed to avoid deli meat from any source, whether it's prepackaged, from a deli counter or served at a restaurant, because refrigerated meat happens to be the perfect petri dish for listeria and if it's left uncooked you could become infected. There's a lot of info about it here if you're interested.

 

[natasha82]

Deli meat from behind the counter is a no no as i understand. Pre-packaged meat for sandwiches etc is fine.

 

[justplainTIFF]

I read that if you microwave it until
It's steaming you can eat it that way.

 

[LittleOnes]

I believe it would be best to avoid deli meat both prepackaged and behind a counter, etc. Unless that is if you first heat it to steaming and then eat, which....doesnt really sound appetizing to me!

Sometimes there are alternatives, for example if you love turkey go for turkey that has been cooked and freshly carved off the bird for a sandwich- I think that is okay.

PS if you havent seen, there is a listeria outbreak in canteloupe in parts the US, so I am avoiding that as well (listeria is the organism of concern with deli meat).

 

[holdonslowdow]

I was told the opposite - anything that is sliced in front of you is safe. Anything that is prepackaged and sitting around you need to heat up. Also, places like Subway are a no go because while it is sliced, it's sitting around.

 

[sunbaby777]

Both. They have nitrates and could have harmful bacteria. If you buy nitrate free meat and heat it up, it's fine.

 

[BrandysBabies]

Blah! Okay.

I am diabetic and this whole eating low carb thing while pregnant is a bummer! Lol! I have to eat 6 times a day in little amounts to control my sugars. I have to avoid all sugar, wheat, rice, and starchy veggies. This includes no pasta, bread, rice, chips, potatoes, carrots, corn, etc. WHAAA!!! And now I have to cut out lunch meat! Agh!

What do you think about pepperoni? Like the kind that comes in the package. Do you think that is the same? OMG! This is so hard!

 

[Mid.night]

I've still been eating sandwich meat, such as ham, from the packaged chilled section. I'm sure they have to follow strict guidelines on packaging the meat quickly and they are in airtight packaging.

I've never heard of anyone getting ill from a ham sandwich from their fridge! But once the packer has been opened I wouldnt eat it again, I'd leave it for OH!

Deli meat from the counter is a definite no no as it's sitting around uncovered and can easily grow bacteria.

If you are really unsure I'd call your MW and see what she advises?

 

[LittleOnes]

I'm afraid pepperoni counts too as I understand it Unless of course it is cooked on/in something.

Your limitations are tough - how about meals with cooked meats like tacos with beef or chicken, without tortillas but with the veggie fixins? Nice juicy steak (get that iron!), or how bout eggs all manner of ways? Things to keep you going between meals could be cheese, nuts, plain yogurt, fruits like bananas, and avocado? Stuff that has good fats and protein that will keep you full but won't break the carb rules. OH also Ive had a couple friends rave about 'squash spaghetti' -- like instead of actual pasta the spaghetti is made of squash! Could be a good substitute.

Good luck!

 

[BrandysBabies]

Thanks for the suggestions Littleones! Everything but the bananas. : ( Lol, can't have those either. I can however have any kind of berry or grapes. I have been doing cottage cheese with blackberries or grapes for breakfast. This is my favorite so far.

 

[bananaz]

What do you think about pepperoni? Like the kind that comes in the package. Do you think that is the same? OMG! This is so hard!

I've found conflicting information on this. In terms of listeria risk, I've read that pepperoni and other kinds of salami are safer alternatives to traditional cold cuts. However, other sites point out that salami can be a source of toxoplasmosis if inadequately cured, not to mention it's full of nitrates.

 

[LittleOnes]

I've still been eating sandwich meat, such as ham, from the packaged chilled section. I'm sure they have to follow strict guidelines on packaging the meat quickly and they are in airtight
packaging

Not to be a stickler, but although the risk is relatively moderate in general with all of these things, I believe pre-packaged meats are also advised to be avoided. I think these are classified as 'luncheon meats' as distinguishable from 'deli meats' which seem to be those behind the counter. Unfortunately listeria can enter pre-packaged meats before packaging, and can survive even in little or no oxygen (vacuum packaging) so the risk is still there.

At least that's how I interpretted it: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/infections-listeria.html

https://www.marchofdimes.com/nutrition_risks.html

 

[natasha82]

I've still been eating sandwich meat, such as ham, from the packaged chilled section. I'm sure they have to follow strict guidelines on packaging the meat quickly and they are in airtight packaging.

I've never heard of anyone getting ill from a ham sandwich from their fridge! But once the packer has been opened I wouldnt eat it again, I'd leave it for OH!

Deli meat from the counter is a definite no no as it's sitting around uncovered and can easily grow bacteria.

If you are really unsure I'd call your MW and see what she advises?

Me too, i have it in my sandwiches. Its fine here in the UK. I do not heat up meat to go in a sandwich either, that sounds disgusting to me.

 

[StephanieB]

I've still been eating hard salami from the Deli. That's the only "meat" I've had in 2 weeks. That's all I can eat, and I'm going to keep eating it. I think the major risk is during the 3rd trimester when your immune system is weak. Sometimes I heat it up, sometimes I don't...

 

[akjk]

I work at a hospital and there was a health alert going around check out cdc.gov website it should have all info u need

 

[Mid.night]

Not to be a stickler, but although the risk is relatively moderate in general with all of these things, I believe pre-packaged meats are also advised to be avoided. I think these are classified as 'luncheon meats' as distinguishable from 'deli meats' which seem to be those behind the counter. Unfortunately listeria can enter pre-packaged meats before packaging, and can survive even in little or no oxygen (vacuum packaging) so the risk is still there.

At least that's how I interpretted it: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/infections-listeria.html

https://www.marchofdimes.com/nutrition_risks.html

I think the advice is different in different countries. I rechecked the information given by the midwife and it doesn't say anything about not eating packaged meat.

I checked the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/917.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=130 which says in the UK they do not advise you to cut out cold meats. I think it is to do with the risk factor of contracting it is low here? The NHS website also states there was only 156 cases of contracting listeria in the whole of UK in 2010.

It has kind of put me off ham sandwiches though, maybe i will stick to tuna or cheese!

 

[LittleOnes]

Not to be a stickler, but although the risk is relatively moderate in general with all of these things, I believe pre-packaged meats are also advised to be avoided. I think these are classified as 'luncheon meats' as distinguishable from 'deli meats' which seem to be those behind the counter. Unfortunately listeria can enter pre-packaged meats before packaging, and can survive even in little or no oxygen (vacuum packaging) so the risk is still there.

At least that's how I interpretted it: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/infections-listeria.html

https://www.marchofdimes.com/nutrition_risks.html

I think the advice is different in different countries. I rechecked the information given by the midwife and it doesn't say anything about not eating packaged meat.

I checked the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/917.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=130 which says in the UK they do not advise you to cut out cold meats. I think it is to do with the risk factor of contracting it is low here? The NHS website also states there was only 156 cases of contracting listeria in the whole of UK in 2010.

It has kind of put me off ham sandwiches though, maybe i will stick to tuna or cheese!

I am craving tuna today! May be my lunch tomorrow. Yeah you know midnight, I am thinking it could be that the risk may be higher here in the US as there is probably (regrettably) less regulation in the manufacturing process and/or higher allowed threshold for contamination. I agree that it basically comes down to advice from one's personal midwife/doc. I am not so concerned as I don't have a major passion for deli meats! Now giving up SUSHI, that is another story....

 

[akjk]

Not to be a stickler, but although the risk is relatively moderate in general with all of these things, I believe pre-packaged meats are also advised to be avoided. I think these are classified as 'luncheon meats' as distinguishable from 'deli meats' which seem to be those behind the counter. Unfortunately listeria can enter pre-packaged meats before packaging, and can survive even in little or no oxygen (vacuum packaging) so the risk is still there.

At least that's how I interpretted it: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/infections-listeria.html

https://www.marchofdimes.com/nutrition_risks.html

I think the advice is different in different countries. I rechecked the information given by the midwife and it doesn't say anything about not eating packaged meat.

I checked the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/917.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=130 which says in the UK they do not advise you to cut out cold meats. I think it is to do with the risk factor of contracting it is low here? The NHS website also states there was only 156 cases of contracting listeria in the whole of UK in 2010.

It has kind of put me off ham sandwiches though, maybe i will stick to tuna or cheese!

I've read you shouldn't eat tuna when your pregnant either... because of the mercury content.. just fyi

 

[jlh213]

I still go to Subway, I just have them toast my sandwich that way it is hot =]