Deli Meat Question

Clynn82au

I seem to be craving this buffalo chicken sandwich from Which Wich these days and I'm just realizing it maybe should be included on the "Do Not Eat" list. It's got thinly sliced chicken breast and I always order it as a "hotwhich" (toasted) but would this be considered warming it?
Sorry, I know this is a stupid question but it seems to be one of the few things that sound appetizing to me right now. And I'll be 7 weeks tommorow and we haven't told anyone so I can't ask any of my friends.

chucktgirl

Hmm... I don't consider chicken to be deli meat. And if it's a hot sandwich, I would think it's even more okay. I, personally, would eat it and indulge my craving.

Clynn82au

Yeah, I didn't know if it was the type of meat or the way it was prepared/served that mattered. The chicken isn't in chunks or cubes; it looks like thinly sliced turkey breat you would get at Subway, only it's chicken.

twistsandturnsto2

Well, I personally don't stress over lunch meat. When I was in first Tri some days the only thing that appealed to me was a Jimmy Johns sandwich. It even had salami on it! I'd say go for it, hot or cold. There is a small risk, but I think that as long as you are going somewhere that you know is clean and reputable you will be just fine!

drjwj

I would just order it toasted.  I bet you are fine!  That does sound good!

xtina78

I think if it's a clean and reputable place you are fine! Also if it's heated then you are doubly fine!

Sk8terWoman

I'd make sure the deli meat is heated up until it's steaming.  Deli meats can contain listeria, which can cause a miscarriage - more information is available here:  https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/foodstoavoid.html

I've eaten deli meat, but had sandwiches toasted and they come out piping hot.  For me, it's not worth the potential risk, considering your immune system is already lowered because of being pregnant. 

MJC1116

I'm not too worried about deli meat. My doctor told me not to panic about it, but to be cautious. My first pregnancy, I didn't eat it at all. This time, she told me that if I'm opening the package myself or if it's being freshly sliced, it's fine to eat. She said if it looks a little slimy, not to eat it.

What you're describing, though, doesn't really sound like deli meat. I think you should be okay. It sounds really good, too!

auntjessy

I wouldn't worry too much personally, but if you're concerned, you could always ask them to heat up the chicken separately until steaming. Honestly, the books that tell you to avoid deli meat and only eat it steamed also tell you not to eat from delis at all, because the other (non-steamed) deli meats come in contact with the surfaces and other veggies, etc. Think about it - you see them put on the gloves, grab the meats for the sandwich, then grab the veggies with the same gloved hand. If you're concerned, avoid them entirely. I still had a Jimmy Johns Italian Sub a couple of times a month, and never got sick once - except maybe indigestion from eating the whole thing with hot peppers. ">

HeatherHam10

I eat lunch meat if its heated...youre fine.

brittneyandadam

I think you'll be ok, especially if they're heating it. My doc said that you're more likely to get Listeria from pasta salads sitting out at the grocery store than from lunch meat. Like PPs said, just make sure it's freshly sliced and not slimy :-)

ang2016

twistsandturnsto2 said:

Well, I personally don't stress over lunch meat. When I was in first Tri some days the only thing that appealed to me was a Jimmy Johns sandwich. It even had salami on it! I'd say go for it, hot or cold. There is a small risk, but I think that as long as you are going somewhere that you know is clean and reputable you will be just fine!

I've at Jimmy John's several times because my brain says I need it! At my OB appt they said it it just fine and the major deli meat to avoid is bologna.

Clynn82au

Thank you ladies, my heart broke a little when I thought I may have to give up my sandwich! Maybe I'll just ask them to run the meat through by itself once before they run the sandwich through, just in case

thecuddleeffect

My mfm said the deli meat thing was a myth. He said don't eat any "questionable" meat lol like subs that have been sitting out for a long time. But other than that you are golden! Esp if you toast it!

FutureMrsW9

First, I don't consider chicken to be deli meat unless it's chicken roll.  Second, if it is in fact deli meat and it's heated, that's the general rule, so you're fine.  Third, I wouldn't worry about it either way.  I haven't gone crazy on deli sandwiches, but I certainly have had several and baby and I both live to talk (or kick) about it.  As long as you're getting it from a place that doesn't make their sandwiches on the bathroom floor of a highway rest stop covered in hypodermic needles, you're fine and should eat a sandwich! :-)  Now I want an Italian sub!!!! 

FutureMrsW9

Sk8terWoman said:

I'd make sure the deli meat is heated up until it's steaming.  Deli meats can contain listeria, which can cause a miscarriage - more information is available here:  https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/foodstoavoid.html

I've eaten deli meat, but had sandwiches toasted and they come out piping hot.  For me, it's not worth the potential risk, considering your immune system is already lowered because of being pregnant. 

I just want to clarify this.  Deli meats do NOT contain listeria.  Listeria is a bacteria that grows in the plants that these meats are processed in and sometimes unsanitary deli counters/machines where they cut the meat, and in turn the bacteria gets onto the meat.  It's not something that's actually part of the meat.  I just wanted to clarify that because it's a common misconception.  In addition, the likelihood of actually getting listeria by eating deli meat, or anything else, are slim to none.

LizRG

I personally don't worry too much about eating lunch meat whether it's hot or cold.  I too have had some serious Jimmy John's cravings and I figured it's much healthier to eat a turkey sub than a hamburger for lunch when I'm on the go.  My OB said just to be cautious of the restaurant and to make sure the meat isn't slimy and to heat it when able. 

JennyS86

oh, how I wish we had a Potbelly's here in Pittsburgh!  not a good thread for me to read!

I have pretty much stayed away from lunch meats, but I also believe that Many, Many foods could make us sick!  but a toasted sub - yum!!

Mnerani

My OB has given me very, very few food restrictions (or restrictions in general) and basically side-eyed me when I asked about lunch meat. He said don't eat anything that looks or smells bad, or has been sitting out. So, what I do when I'm not pregnant.