Are you eating meat? FTM paranoia.

zonagirlie · July 2012

I was told by my doctor to avoid all lunch meats and things like hot dogs. My baby is apparently a carnivore, but I'm not a fan of processed chicken and fish is sketchy in the southwest. We're on a budget so when I start craving meat, running to get a burger isn't healthy and prime rib is probably not good for our budget. I'm paranoid about what kind of turkey and other deli meats to stay away from. I've seen pregnant women out wolfing down deli sandwiches, but I was told not to eat that stuff by my doctor. How do you know it's safe? Restaurants are notorious for not keeping foods at the right temperatures which is usually not a big deal if you are healthy, but little one can't fight off Listeria, so I'm freaked out. I desperately want a giant spicy Italian sub from Subway, but I haven't had any deli meat in over three months.

Help me. My baby wants a turkey sandwich!

brianabrad · July 2012

I've had lunch meat and hotdogs. Didn't even think about it to be honest. The first few months I was really concerned about lunch meat but found it hard to avoid since lunches are easiest with a sandwich.

I was told local to avoid Subway because of health concerns so I've switched to Quizon's since they toast all the subs and I figure making it toasted has to help with the chance of listeria since it kills the bacteria.

princessbmw · July 2012

You can eat lunch meat as long as it's heated to steaming. I always ask them to cook it a little longer than normal to ease my worry.

JennV514 · July 2012

I'm eating tons of meat. We do a lot of grilling. I'll eat deli sandwiches whenever I get the urge.

Do what feels right for you.

Noethola · July 2012

I havent eated any lunch meat either. I am sure things are ok in moderation, but each "do" or "dont" is ultimately up to you.

Little Dawson · July 2012

Normally the general rule of thumb, since it's pretty ridiculous to say to get rid of something all together, is moderation. Eat the sandwich if you're craving it, it's just good to be aware that some things have a higher risk for something than other foods. If you feel more comfortable heat the meat before then put it on the sandwich.

I wouldn't cut it out all together, and I also eat tuna on ocassion too!

GraceyandTroy · July 2012

If you're really concerned about it, heating it up before you eat it should be fine. But, to answer the question in your subject line, yes. I am eating meat. I'm not big on cold cuts any way, but I wouldn't hesitate to eat it. I have been making casseroles with ground beef, we buy it in bulk at Costco and freeze it till we're ready to use it. You can get quality ground beef for fairly reasonable price and that might help with the craving.

As far as a turkey sandwich, try baking a turkey breast at home and tearing it up for a fresh sandwich instead of the sliced deli meat version (that's sounds really good now, I think I want one, too!)

zonagirlie · July 2012

I don't eat hot sandwiches very often. Like a cheesesteak but not a turkey sandwich. I usually get a spicy Italian which is salami and ham or I get a turkey club with all the veggies, but never heated.

What kind of hot sandwiches do you guys get? I live in AZ where it's 100+ every day so hot sammies aren't a big thing.

jessicabalthis · July 2012

I've been eating hot dogs and hamburgers and sandwich meats probably more than I should be.

smwiggle · July 2012

The biggest fear of eating deli meat is listeria. If you heat the meat up to the point that it is steaming, it kills any bacteria and is safe to eat. As for the hotdog, try to find some that are nitrate free. Those are often fine to eat. But, I am in the category of everything in moderation.

dclsboo235 · July 2012

zonagirlie:
I was told by my doctor to avoid all lunch meats and things like hot dogs. My baby is apparently a carnivore, but I'm not a fan of processed chicken and fish is sketchy in the southwest. We're on a budget so when I start craving meat, running to get a burger isn't healthy and prime rib is probably not good for our budget. I'm paranoid about what kind of turkey and other deli meats to stay away from. I've seen pregnant women out wolfing down deli sandwiches, but I was told not to eat that stuff by my doctor. How do you know it's safe? Restaurants are notorious for not keeping foods at the right temperatures which is usually not a big deal if you are healthy, but little one can't fight off Listeria, so I'm freaked out. I desperately want a giant spicy Italian sub from Subway, but I haven't had any deli meat in over three months.
Help me. My baby wants a turkey sandwich!

Just heat up your lunch meat to steaming...I started toasting my bread and eating them like a melt...mmm they are yummy.

drpayne · July 2012

Eat a turkey sandwich. Seriously, I get that people hear random stuff but it's annoying when doctors give out scary info, too. I wouldn't buy anything that's been sitting in a case for a while or from a gas station but that's just common sense. Listeria outbreaks are not just linked to deli meat. We're talking fruits and veggies, too. You can't not eat. I choose not to be paranoid all of the time and to eat things in moderation. I had sushi last night from a reputable place.

pistolpackinmomma · July 2012

Yes I've been eating lunch meat. My dr told me as long as it wasn't the only thing I ate then I was fine. Honestly there are just as many germs/bacteria on public door knobs but you don't see doctors advising against that. The only reason my doctor said not to eat solely lunch meat was to make sure I was getting a variety of nutrients instead of just what's in the lunch meat. I would say you're fine as long as you are buying it from a reputable place. Also, another thing to think about is that the most recent cases of Lysteria came from veggies not meat. The most recent being Dole lettuce.

RachelG1016 · July 2012

I was told that they are fine as long as they are heated to steaming.

If you don't like hot lunchmeat you can heat it up and the refrigerate it and use it as you want at a later time. It just has to have been "cooked" after purchase.

I typically get the chicken sandwich at Subway because I like chicken hot but not most other lunch meats.

I ate chili dogs last week and was fine. Don't stress about the small stuff!

jjgal · July 2012

I heat the meat before I put it on a sandwich and haven't been ordering deli sandwiches out. But a grilled chicken sandwich or pulled pork or something like that is great to have out at a restaurant. At home I eat nitrate free hotdogs, ground beef, chicken, bacon, tuna, etc. I'm definitely consuming meat!

Wild_flower25 · July 2012

yes I do including lots of Subway.

I heard the risk of listeria is just as high in grocery store fruit as it is deli meat, so to single out deli meat is quite silly and outdated thinking

amh04 · July 2012

JennV514:
I'm eating tons of meat. We do a lot of grilling. I'll eat deli sandwiches whenever I get the urge.
Do what feels right for you.

Yes Everything in moderation is my motto - had a hot dog for lunch too.

BLPL101 · July 2012

I haven't had any hot dogs or lunch meat, but I do crave them. I am a worrywart so that's why I will not eat those things. I eat seafood like fish and shrimp, chicken breast, and beef if it's cooked well done.

Kie310 · July 2012

I haven't give up anything. Yes I eat meat. I had GD with my first, and likely will again this time and protein is a HUGE part of the a GD diet. I have been following it since about 10 weeks now.

I eat bacon, sausage, lunch meat, hot dogs (all beef are all we ever eat in our house always). I eat seafood, and tuna. I eat steaks, and burgers... really, I haven't given up a damn thing (other than alcohol) for both of these pregnancies. not really a big deal. My doctor has never ever ever given me a list of things I can't eat.

Jenn0810 · July 2012

I just make sure that all lunch meat I eat is heated. I get toasted subs or make quesadillas when I'm at home. I do eat hotdogs sometimes but they are always nitrate-free ones (although I'm not sure if that makes a big difference).

zonagirlie · July 2012

BLPL101:
I haven't had any hot dogs or lunch meat, but I do crave them. I am a worrywart so that's why I will not eat those things. I eat seafood like fish and shrimp, chicken breast, and beef if it's cooked well done.

This is me. I'm SUPER paranoid since it took so long to get pregnant and I just want to do everything right. Doc said I could eat meat, just to stay away from lunch meats and stuff sitting out. Mr. Zona bought kosher hot dogs like usual and really wants to make chili dogs so I'll start with that since I know well cooked hot dogs are safe.

I second the fruit washing. And veggies! I always rinse off our fruit/veg before eating because I'm one of those super sensitive to pesticides people. We try to buy organic when we can but I wash that, too

I have an appt to meet with a midwife and I think I'll ask her, she's probably a little more liberal than the high risk specialist OB. I'm guessing he just wants us to be super safe because we're high risk and it took 3 years to get pregnant.

sbevmc09 · July 2012

As other people have said the biggest risk is Listeria. Heating lunch meat/hotdogs to steaming kills Listeria so if you are cool with toasting your sub then you can eat it totally guilt free.

With that said, as others have already pointed out, I think the lunch meat thing is silly considering the last few Listera outbreaks have been with produce. You never hear doctors telling you not to eat fresh produce!

So yeah, there's a risk, but it's one I'm comfortable taking. It's not really something I worry about, but you have to do whatever feels right to you.

Oh, also, another option would be nitrate-free lunch meat. Because it's processed differently it doesn't have the same Listeria risk. Nitrites/nitrates aren't good for you anyway (and probably especially when you're pregnant since you're growing a LO!) so I tend to buy nitrate-free stuff anyway. Of course you're not getting that at a sub shop, but I don't worry about the occasional indulgence at a reputable place. I just wouldn't eat pre-prepared lunch meat sandwiches from the grocery store or the gas station, etc. I'd be a little more skeptical of something like that. But yeah, I worry more about the sodium content and nitrates than I do about Listeria :shrug:

Allycat11 · July 2012

drpayne:
Eat a turkey sandwich. Seriously, I get that people hear random stuff but it's annoying when doctors give out scary info, too. I wouldn't buy anything that's been sitting in a case for a while or from a gas station but that's just common sense. Listeria outbreaks are not just linked to deli meat. We're talking fruits and veggies, too. You can't not eat. I choose not to be paranoid all of the time and to eat things in moderation. I had sushi last night from a reputable place.

All of this. Just recently Dole recalled a bunch of bagged lettuce because of Listeria, last year there was an outbreak in cantaloupe, so are you going to avoid produce as well? I eat plenty of meat while pregnant. For lunch I just had a delicious cold turkey sub.

TexasMom7137 · July 2012

My doctor suggested having my meat microwaved first. This kills the bacteria and I still get to eat my sandwich.

martha919 · July 2012

My OB told me straight up that there's no problem with deli meat. She said don't bother "cooking" it at all. I understand people wanting to be careful, though--I didn't eat tuna for the longest time even though my OB said I could because I was afraid, but after my last ultrasound I felt more secure. Do what you think is best.

For what it's worth, things like salmonella and other food-borne pathogens can show up on your lettuce from Jewel, too. If we cut out every single thing that might possibly make us sick, we'll starve or dehydrate. Moderation!

landosmommy · July 2012

I personally don't avoid lunch meat.

nicoletteb1985 · July 2012

If you heat the turkey up before eating it, it should be fine. Also try chicken salad, egg salad and tuna salad (chunk light not albacore). Those are the sandwiches I eat when I eat sandwiches.

But realistically I really don't think there is anything to worry about.

aly&jj · July 2012

Honestly, the only thing I stay away from is alcohol. I don't like lunch meat, because of the way it's processed, but I do love to roast chicken breast and use that instead. I eat fish whenever I want, and make my own mayo using raw egg. We even drink raw milk and eat cheese made from raw milk. I'm not worried about it because I know where my food comes from. I say if you trust where you are getting your food you should have nothing to worry about. Eat what you want and enjoy yourself. Especially if you're like me and have a hard time finding anything that tastes good Wink

lulamagoo · July 2012

I worry more about nitrates than listeria. Nitrates are found in most salami, lunchmeat, sausage, bacon, and hot dogs. (They are also found in some processed foods)

If I want a turkey sandwich, I go to the grocery store and buy Boar's Head All natural turkey meat. The lady at the deli counter has told me twice now, that it is no problem for them to clean the machine first before cutting my meat. She said that pregnant women should never be afraid to ask for this, it might take a bit longer, but it made me feel better. (I also make sure that I go when it isn't busy)

mbredin · July 2012

At the whole foods deli counter they actually cook turkey breast and roast beef in house and then will slice it for you. I use this for deli meat. I am not sure if there is a decreased risk for listeria because its not prepared and package way ahead of time, but my ob also said not to worry about deli meat.

zonagirlie · July 2012

lulamagoo:
I worry more about nitrates than listeria. Nitrates are found in most salami, lunchmeat, sausage, bacon, and hot dogs. (They are also found in some processed foods)
If I want a turkey sandwich, I go to the grocery store and buy Boar's Head All natural turkey meat. The lady at the deli counter has told me twice now, that it is no problem for them to clean the machine first before cutting my meat. She said that pregnant women should never be afraid to ask for this, it might take a bit longer, but it made me feel better. (I also make sure that I go when it isn't busy)

I never thought about asking the deli to cut it right then and clean the machine... hhhhmmmmm... now I want to go to Albertson's RIGHT NOW!

ReeceFamily · July 2012

I have aversions to almost every kind of meat right now except turkey from the grocery deli, hamburgers, and fish. I don't worry too much about it...I figure getting protein is so important right now, and my aversions will die down over time and I can get back to a normal, healthy diet.

I get the turkey a grocery store I trust, they cut it in front of me.

Kie310 · July 2012

I have never been to a deli that didn't cut the meat in front of me! I didn't know this happened...

sesigs · July 2012

I eat deli meat cold and hot dogs cooked well. You have a bigger chance of getting Listeria from produce or even a dirty soft serve ice cream machine. I pretty much eat everything in moderation!

sesigs · July 2012

Oh, that is good to know about asking them to clean the machine! I never thought to ask but I only get my deli meat from one place and I trust them to not be gross/dirty. I try to avoid nitrates whether I am pregnant or not as they aren't good for anyone. Boar's Head is my favorite brand because many things they make are nitrate free!

LaurKeating · July 2012

I think making a turkey breast or whole roasted chicken (or buying whole roasted chicken at super market) is a good idea. After cooking you can carve it up and leave it in a container in the fridge to make cold sandwiches like you're use to. Enjoy!

mbredin · July 2012

I read an article recently that said that most hot dogs, sausages, bacon etc that say nitrate free still have nitrates in them. Nitrates occur in nature and the organic versions of these products use nitrate from celery to preserve them. According to this article at the end of the day it is exactly the same chemical. So I would definantly say moderation is best.

this decaf life · July 2012

Heat your meat & you're fine.

Avoid nitrates in hot dogs [it's really not difficult to do this anymore & is advertised on the packaging.]

I do not eat meat but it's because I'm a vegetarian not because some alarmist doctor didn't give me all the information. You can eat deli meat & hot dogs as long as you're "safe"

Want a personalized experience?

Are you eating meat? FTM paranoia.

Re: Are you eating meat? FTM paranoia.

Choose Another Board

Search Boards