Cold Cuts are OK!

Jen Fouts · July 2012

I had a meeting last night at my OB-GYN office. They have all women who will be delivering with them attend this quick class. We filled out paperwork, we talked about various testing options that are available, and we reviewed some of the basic "DOs and DON'Ts" of pregnancy.

I was THRILLED to hear that despite what most of us read online everyday, cold cuts meats are okay to eat! I asked the nurse if she was certain (which in hind-sight was probably a silly a thing to do - of course she was certain), but she explained that the lysteria scare started years and years ago, and that it is not something that we need to fear these days. She also said that lunch meat is filled with nitrates, so it's not the best choice for that reason, but she confidently said we do not have to avoid lunch meat in general.

I told the nurse that this little fun fact alone was reason enough for me to attend the course. She laughed. I immediately called my husband and said that we were having sandwiches for dinner. He was nothing short of disappointed as he has been eating turkey sandwiches for every lunch for the last 12 weeks! Oh well. The initial excitement will wear off, darling. Happy eating, ladies!

Rynleigh · July 2012

Hmm... Well... my OB, my GP, my MFM doc, and the CDC all still say not to eat any kind of deli meats (to include sandwich meat, hotdogs, sausages, etc) without heating them through until they steam to prevent any possible complications from listeria contamination. I'm going to side with precaution.

marshmallows · July 2012

Rynleigh:
Hmm... Well... my OB, my GP, my MFM doc, and the CDC all still say not to eat any kind of deli meats (to include sandwich meat, hotdogs, sausages, etc) without heating them through until they steam to prevent any possible complications from listeria contamination. I'm going to side with precaution.

I agree with this. And there was an outbreak here a few years back. I think it wasn't transported correctly. It can happen and it is likely to be fatal if it does. Sure it's not likely, but I won't risk something that can easily be avoided.

Shaungela · July 2012

Its ok according to your Dr. Everyone should listen to their own Drs.

April+ · July 2012

My nurse told me the same thing, however, I still don't want to take any chances. I am not a big fan of lunch meat anyways...

desertlady86 · July 2012

marshmallows:
Rynleigh:
Hmm... Well... my OB, my GP, my MFM doc, and the CDC all still say not to eat any kind of deli meats (to include sandwich meat, hotdogs, sausages, etc) without heating them through until they steam to prevent any possible complications from listeria contamination. I'm going to side with precaution.
I agree with this. And there was an outbreak here a few years back. I think it wasn't transported correctly. It can happen and it is likely to be fatal if it does. Sure it's not likely, but I won't risk something that can easily be avoided.

So do you eat anything without it being heated?

It was last year or the year before (pretty sure last year) there was a HUGE listeria outbreak with Rocky Mountain Cantaloupes.

JuliaS521 · July 2012

My doctor's advice was that cold cuts are OK if you heat them up in the microwave or on the stove with gravy..like hot roast beef. The process of heating the food will kill off any possible diseases. And staying away from cold cuts is a precaution, so if you have a craving for a cold ham sandwhich, eating 1 once isn't the end of the world. Has anyone else heard this? Whatever the case, I agree that it's best to take your doctor's advice and do what feels right for you!

mamasmurf12 · July 2012

My OB wasn't worried about listeria from deli meat, but she did say to stay away from unpasteurized soft cheeses. She also told me (her words) "not to eat meat from a taco stand", lol! I tend to buy cheaper cuts of sandwich meat, though, so I still nuke it in the microwave when I do make a sandwich.

Justinlove · July 2012

Ladies, we are all now at least 8w5d along. Eat lunch meat if you want...don't eat it if you don't want to. Can we please stop the weekly food police posts?

ally2011 · July 2012

Well, so far the Mayo Clinic, American Pregnancy Association and CDC still have statements that say to heat deli meat to steaming if you want to eat it when you are pregnant. I think this sounds gross so am just not having it. They also say to wash all produce thoroughly to reduce risk (though this is a good practice pregnant or not).

Until those organizations change their statements, I will follow what they recommend. I assume there is some reason they still have them out there.

buggirl72 · July 2012

ally2011:

Well, so far the Mayo Clinic, American Pregnancy Association and CDC still have statements that say to heat deli meat to steaming if you want to eat it when you are pregnant. I think this sounds gross so am just not having it. They also say to wash all produce thoroughly to reduce risk (though this is a good practice pregnant or not).

Until those organizations change their statements, I will follow what they recommend. I assume there is some reason they still have them out there.

Yes

SunshineMuffin · July 2012

ally2011:
Well, so far the Mayo Clinic, American Pregnancy Association and CDC still have statements that say to heat deli meat to steaming if you want to eat it when you are pregnant. I think this sounds gross so am just not having it. They also say to wash all produce thoroughly to reduce risk (though this is a good practice pregnant or not).
Until those organizations change their statements, I will follow what they recommend. I assume there is some reason they still have them out there.

This; however, I have heated up cold cuts on the 2 occasions when I have had them. It really doesn't alter the taste if you let it cool for a minute before eating it.

I've learned to go by what the aforementioned authorities recommend. Doctors are so different in their recommendations. There are doctors who tell you it's okay to drink, to have caffeine, to use artificial sweeteners.....and then there are those who are adamant that you do none of the above. I say better to err on the side of caution. Really, why take unnecessary risks?

Rynleigh · July 2012

desertlady86:

So do you eat anything without it being heated?
It was last year or the year before (pretty sure last year) there was a HUGE listeria outbreak with Rocky Mountain Cantaloupes.

I do not eat fruits or vegetables without thoroughly washing them (and in the case of melons, also peeling them) before consuming them. You cannot thoroughly cleanse the insides of processed meats and cheeses. Further, "You can't avoid all instances of risk so you shouldn't try to avoid any" is the most ridiculous stance a person could possibly have in regard to their health, and insinuating that a person is hypocritical for attempting to reduce their risks is absurd.

desertlady86 · July 2012

Rynleigh:
desertlady86:

So do you eat anything without it being heated?
It was last year or the year before (pretty sure last year) there was a HUGE listeria outbreak with Rocky Mountain Cantaloupes.
I do not eat fruits or vegetables without thoroughly washing them (and in the case of melons, also peeling them) before consuming them. You cannot thoroughly cleanse the insides of processed meats and cheeses. Further, "You can't avoid all instances of risk so you shouldn't try to avoid any" is the most ridiculous stance a person could possibly have in regard to their health, and insinuating that a person is hypocritical for attempting to reduce their risks is absurd.

Whoa, calm down killer!

This is just never ending and people should just do what they feel most comfortable with.

mishka29 · July 2012

Everyone is going to get different advice and read different articles. Do what you feel comfortable with.

However, I will say what I said last time this was discussed. Major listeria outbreak in Canada in 2008. 23 people died as a result of eating the meat that were contaminated during processing.

IncogNeato · July 2012

I'm going to keep heating my lunchmeat, cooking my food thoroughly, and scrubbing all my produce before cutting. Listeria is really rare, but really awful if you get it, so I'll take whatever precautions I can.

I even rub my lettuce under running water, which apparently we're all supposed to do but hardly anyone does.

JuliaBug · July 2012

Justinlove:
Ladies, we are all now at least 8w5d along. Eat lunch meat if you want...don't eat it if you don't want to. Can we please stop the weekly food police posts?

+1

kelly321 · July 2012

Jen Fouts:
she explained that the lysteria scare started years and years ago, and that it is not something that we need to fear these days.

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/causes.html (See second paragraph under "transmission")

And here's a great article on it, including tips under prevention: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2621056/

Whether you choose to eat deli meat or not is your choice (obviously), but the nurse saying that listeria isn't something that is around today is plain wrong. Should we fear it? No. But should we ignore all recommendations on how to avoid it? I won't, but that's my personal decision. As others have said, I'd trust the recommendations of the CDC, Mayo Clinic, and American Pregnancy Association over one nurse, but listen to who you trust (and that's not meant to be sarcastic. I'm serious).

MouseInLux · July 2012

desertlady86:
Rynleigh:
desertlady86:

So do you eat anything without it being heated?
It was last year or the year before (pretty sure last year) there was a HUGE listeria outbreak with Rocky Mountain Cantaloupes.
I do not eat fruits or vegetables without thoroughly washing them (and in the case of melons, also peeling them) before consuming them. You cannot thoroughly cleanse the insides of processed meats and cheeses. Further, "You can't avoid all instances of risk so you shouldn't try to avoid any" is the most ridiculous stance a person could possibly have in regard to their health, and insinuating that a person is hypocritical for attempting to reduce their risks is absurd.
Whoa, calm down killer!
This is just never ending and people should just do what they feel most comfortable with.

Some french women are told not to eat any raw vegutables...maybe you should follow this advice too? Lunch meat id one of the few things I can stomach. I'm eating it this time arround.

PginSA · July 2012

MouseInLux:
desertlady86:
Rynleigh:
desertlady86:

So do you eat anything without it being heated?
It was last year or the year before (pretty sure last year) there was a HUGE listeria outbreak with Rocky Mountain Cantaloupes.
I do not eat fruits or vegetables without thoroughly washing them (and in the case of melons, also peeling them) before consuming them. You cannot thoroughly cleanse the insides of processed meats and cheeses. Further, "You can't avoid all instances of risk so you shouldn't try to avoid any" is the most ridiculous stance a person could possibly have in regard to their health, and insinuating that a person is hypocritical for attempting to reduce their risks is absurd.
Whoa, calm down killer!
This is just never ending and people should just do what they feel most comfortable with.
Some french women are told not to eat any raw vegutables...maybe you should follow this advice too? Lunch meat id one of the few things I can stomach. I'm eating it this time arround.

Funny. In France, you get the side eye for eating a salad, but not Brie and red wine. My doctor said lunch meat is ok, but since I generally don't eat it to begin with, I don't see a problem skipping it. I'm fairly flexible with food rules, sticking to the norm in the country I live in ("no raw chicken, you're fine otherwise") but it is good to know of the risks and weigh it up.

BunnyBuni · July 2012

I wouldn't eat cold lunch meat. I have a friend who lost her baby to listeria and that's the reason for not eating lunch meat, more than nitrates. Lunch meats are okay if you heat them up first to kill the bacteria, but getting them cold is risky.

buggirl72 · July 2012

BunnyBuni:
I wouldn't eat cold lunch meat. I have a friend who lost her baby to listeria and that's the reason for not eating lunch meat, more than nitrates. Lunch meats are okay if you heat them up first to kill the bacteria, but getting them cold is risky.

Wow. That is awful. I am so sorry for your friend.

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