Lunch/Deli Meats

[Virginia]

I read that they are unsafe during pregnancy...how much truth does this have to it?

Does anyone think eating Lunchables (the things with the meat, cheese, and crackers) is harmful? I've eaten 2 since I've gotten pregnant, and I was planning on eating one for lunch today...

 

[LoolaBear]

the reason they are classed as unsafe during pregnancy is due to the fact that they run a higher risk of containing harmful bacteria that could affect the baby and also a higher risk of contracting salmonela. xx

 

[Virginia]

the reason they are classed as unsafe during pregnancy is due to the fact that they run a higher risk of containing harmful bacteria that could affect the baby and also a higher risk of contracting salmonela. xx

So do you think Lunchables are safe? They are made for kids, and I sure hope they would be safe for a kid...Maybe I should try to find something else for lunch today...

 

[austinsmom]

I ate sandwiches the whole time i was pregnant with my son, and have never gotten sick from lunch meat. however, that was almost 6 years ago, and i'm sure there are new 'rules' all the time. I still eat lunch meat, and have heard if the meat is 'steaming', it's fine. I've never seen a warning on a lunchable for pregnant women. LOL

 

[Virginia]

I ate sandwiches the whole time i was pregnant with my son, and have never gotten sick from lunch meat. however, that was almost 6 years ago, and i'm sure there are new 'rules' all the time. I still eat lunch meat, and have heard if the meat is 'steaming', it's fine. I've never seen a warning on a lunchable for pregnant women. LOL

Me neither! I was just looking for one! Hahahaha! I was thinking about calling their 800 number and asking, but I thought they may think I was looney. I know my mother ate a ton of sandwiches when she was pregnant with us 4 kids, and we were all fine....Surely eating my last Lunchable wouldn't hurt me. I might have to nuke the meat so I don't feel paranoid though...hahaha. So many rules to learn!

 

[EmzyJA]

as far as i know they're safe. my doc went through everything with me that we're not supposed to eat when pregnant and he never mentioned lunch meat. you've got me really fancying one now though. might have to pick one up from the shop on my way home lol xx

 

[Lil_Apple]

I think its more if you get it from a deli counter say and its been sitting in the supermarket waiting for you to buy it behind the counter...(i think thats right anyway )

 

[Kirst264]

I certainly hope lunchables are safe as i had a major craving for them in my 1st tri and it's practically all i ate you'll be fine x

 

[LuvMyBoys]

You will be fine, but you might want to not eat them anymore? I'm not sure exactly what the risks are but my midwife said that if I am going to eat lunch meat that I have to heat it up steaming hot. Now that just seems un-appetizing to me!!

 

[suzie_q]

I read that too but it didn't explain why...and it did say if you eat it hot it's ok. I have been eating sandwiches every day this week with deli chicken slices because I think they are going overboard with this precaution. I know that we get recalls in the news sometimes and it is usually deli meat and listeriosis, so maybe they are just saying you shouldn't risk it. I'm willing to take the risk.

 

[nightkd]

Aren't Lunchables sealed? All I've read (as in conclusive information) is that you are allowed to eat sealed 'deli meats' ie ham etc (but some places say to eat within 24 hours of opening) but not meats etc off of the counter in like...Walmart or something - simply because you don't know how long it's been sat out.

BTW, if Lunchables are the thing I'm thinking of...I'm now craving em, thanks so much!!

xx

 

[Virginia]

Aren't Lunchables sealed? All I've read (as in conclusive information) is that you are allowed to eat sealed 'deli meats' ie ham etc (but some places say to eat within 24 hours of opening) but not meats etc off of the counter in like...Walmart or something - simply because you don't know how long it's been sat out.

BTW, if Lunchables are the thing I'm thinking of...I'm now craving em, thanks so much!!

xx

I know I've had really strong cravings for them too. They are so good! Hehe sorry!

 

[calliebaby]

The reason that you are not supposed to eat deli meats while pregnant is because they have a bacteria on them called "listeria". While it will usually cause no issues with non-pregnant people, it can make a pregnant woman very sick and cause miscarriage if severe. I have read studies on how frequently this can occur and it doesn't seem to happen all the time or anything, but better safe than sorry. My doctor also told me to heat my lunch meat till steaming if I wanted to eat it. This kills off the bacteria.

 

[Virginia]

The reason that you are not supposed to eat deli meats while pregnant is because they have a bacteria on them called "listeria". While it will usually cause no issues with non-pregnant people, it can make a pregnant woman very sick and cause miscarriage if severe. I have read studies on how frequently this can occur and it doesn't seem to happen all the time or anything, but better safe than sorry. My doctor also told me to heat my lunch meat till steaming if I wanted to eat it. This kills off the bacteria.

I steamed mine today. Or nuked it really. =)

 

[frsttimemommy]

i've heard that you can eat lunch meat if you heat it up. i've been eating sandwhiches though and the little one is still kicking around. and i haven't heated the meat. i forgot about that actually....darn.
sometimes i think the rules on food during pregnancy are a bit ridiculous! but i can see why they're put in place.

 

[Waiting2bMommy]

My doctor said deli-meat is fine. I've eaten togo's sandwich's twice a week since I got pregnant and everything is fine so far. My mom said she ate it everyday with all her three kids and never had a problem.

 

[louisechippy]

well this is the thing isnt it 20 yrs ago they had none of these rules you cant eat this or you can only eaat two tins of tuna a week x so part of me thinks why cant we just eat what we want within reason they did 20 yrs ago and things were fine x

 

[whoops]

I presume that sealed meat is fine, it's only lunch meat that may have sitting out in a deli for a while that they warn about. I've been eating sandwiches for lunch practically every day, using cooked, pre-packaged ham.

 

[Charlie85]

I am staying away from any type of lunch meat. As a previous poster mentioned it is the risk of listeria that you need to be worried about. I would hate to eat some lunch meat only to find out later that it was being recalled for listeria. It is a huge risk to a fetus.

If you heat it, it's supposed to be ok but I can't stomach the thought of heated lunch meat!

 

[Virginia]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I have a better understanding now of why lunch meat can be considered a risk.