What to eat for lunch in work Cafeteria?

MrsKellymarieG

So since I found out I'm pregnant I've stayed away from the salad bar and sandwich station.  The only food I've been able to eat is the hot meals (usually pasta and chicken).  Just wondering what everyone else does for lunch?  Does anyone know a good lunch I can pack?

Thanks

Kelly

MrsKellymarieG

Hey Redheadbaker,

I have red hair too

I read that you shouldnt eat from the salad bar because you don't know if they washed the veggies.  Is that not a thing?

Kelly

KittyMu82

I've been advised by my doctor to stay away from salad bars too. Same with cold meats although plenty of people say that's fine because the risk of listeria is so tiny. But - I figure it's not actually that hard to stay away from all that stuff. It does make things slightly more inconvenient but not by much (not for me, anyway).

I just pack things like raisin toast and mandarins etc for snacking when I'm out - or I buy hot foods that are cooked. It takes a bit more effort to think about the foods but if you google "food safe in pregnancy" or something similar there's plenty of ideas out there.

24karat

You forgot the hummus, @WhoCanItBeNow‌

KittyMu82

WhoCanItBeNow said:

KittyMu82 said:

I've been advised by my doctor to stay away from salad bars too. Same with cold meats although plenty of people say that's fine because the risk of listeria is so tiny. But - I figure it's not actually that hard to stay away from all that stuff. It does make things slightly more inconvenient but not by much (not for me, anyway).

I just pack things like raisin toast and mandarins etc for snacking when I'm out - or I buy hot foods that are cooked. It takes a bit more effort to think about the foods but if you google "food safe in pregnancy" or something similar there's plenty of ideas out there.

I hope you aren't eating chicken or drinking milk if you are concerned about listeria.

^^ haha well actually I'm not eating hummus

I'm not eating cold chicken - but I'm eating cooked chicken (that is still hot) and milk straight from fridge. But not eating ice cream products that are only semi-frozen etc.

I'm basically just following the "what to eat and not to eat" sheet of foods my doctor gave me. I'm totally aware that lots of people think that list is bullshit - but it's fairly easy for me to follow the list so I am. If it was difficult then I'd give more thought to it and put my own research into it.

KittyMu82

Look, no need to be rude. This is the handout I got from my doctor (it's what our government prescribes) - and cold meats are off.

I know the US government says it's fine because the risk of listeria is very low.

I really don't think it's that big a deal. I choose to follow our guidelines because it's just not that difficult to follow.

https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_documents/consumer_pdf/pregnancy-brochure.pdf

KittyMu82

Well, I appreciate the sentiment that my government is populated by morons

24karat

KittyMu82 said:

Well, I appreciate the sentiment that my government is populated by morons

Aren't they all to some extent?

MNgirl326

Here is the thing about being pregnant and parenting - a lot of people are going to tell you what NOT to do.  They are going to try and scare you.   Doctors have a "standard of care" that they are basically told to follow, whether it involves common sense or not.   This covers THEIR own ass.   It is your job as a pregnant person with a brain, or a parent with a brain, to decide what actually makes sense and what doesn't.

Should you go eat some random meet from some random place that looks sketchy?  Probably not- but you probably shouldn't that, even if you weren't pregnant.

A turkey sub from a reputable place, go for it.   Protein is good for you in pregnancy, it is low in calories, and it makes your stronger (you are building a another human for goodness sakes).   It can also keep the m/s away by keeping you fuller longer. I would much rather eat some lean turkey then some cooked pasta salad filled with mayo and loaded with carbs.   Common sense people.

This is your mantra- MODERATION is key.  Moderation is key.     Have your feta, have your cold turkey, have your salad bar.   You will be fine, I promise.  

plutoisaplanet

Holy cow, the list that @KittyMu82 posted is nuts.  I'd go insane trying to follow all of that.  

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luvinlifeMN

I'm eating a cold cut sandwich right now.  I know the risks associated with Listeria.  However, I am going to use my best judgment to decide what I will and will not eat during this pregnancy just like I did last time.  Could that bite me in the butt because I am eating cold deli meat?  Sure.  But could I get listeria just as easily from a food that isn't on the 'caution' list?  Sure.  It all comes down to common sense and what you feel is right. 

Good luck as you navigate through options for lunch!

MNgirl326

I ordered jimmy johns for lunch.  it was delish.

HerHighness

I lived at the salad bar while pregnant with my daughter. I just used common sense and didnt eat anything that looked icky or had mayo that could have sat out to long. I also will eat an occasional sub with deli meat. I love the subs from a local place (a deli) and i have them make them for me while i stand there. Its very clean and they move product very fast. My dr never told me not eat deli meat and the only place i heard not to was the bump. If im at home i heat til steaming and then stick in the freezer for a minute to cool (mostly because it was in my fridge for a couple days) but other than that i dont worry about it.

coffee89

I just followed the common sense of not eating anything that looked off or from places that didn't seem very reputable. I enjoyed wine (in late pregnancy) , coffee, soda, foyo, soft serve, fish, soft cheese, cantaloupe, humus, spinach, cold lunch meat, cold leftovers...

My first OB told me that I couldn't even take tums because anything going into my body needed to be as pure as possible so I didn't hurt my baby (along with get rid of my pets because they are "a dirty substitute for children) I told this to my current OB and he laughed told me to go home and pet my cat before eating whatever I wanted as long as I trusted it.

haliebabyx3

I just had a hot dog and salad off a salad bar, I win.