Food Question

bike4life · January 2014

Do you really need to stop eating lunch meat. I understand hotdogs and bologna but what about like turkey or ham? We like subs in our family and of course I'm craving one NOW!

veetveet · January 2014

I still eat it.

bike4life · January 2014

Totally devoured a ham and turkey sub from Jimmy Johns. Sooooo gooooood! I figured in moderation it won't be bad.

tealowl · January 2014

You can eat deli meat cold or hot, along with bologna and hot dogs.

I don't eat those foods very often, but a couple weeks ago I ate some mac and cheese with cut up hot dogs in it, because I felt like eating like 5 year old Teal that day. It was yummy.

RachelCA29 · January 2014

See, lots of people say they eat it, and it's safe. Which is fine by me (I'm jealous). But when I first got pregnant my OB specifically said one of like 3 things I shouldn't eat while pregnant was cold-cuts, served cold. She said I should heat them until they steam (which I think is gross, so I have just not been eating them at all). It really sucks because I love subs.

Now, I'm not saying this to start some sort of "other pregnant women are irresponsible" kind of debate. I just know that is what my OB told me, and I feel like because she mentioned it (she didn't even tell me to avoid sushi) I personally can't eat it. But so many other women have never been told this, so it's obviously okay/safe.

And when I say "I can't eat it" I mean, since my OB mentioned it, it has ruined the idea of subs for me. I would just be so worried, for no reason really, that it wouldn't be worth the enjoyment of the sandwich.

Damn OB, what did you have to ruin this delicious food for me!

Just sharing my opinion and apparently my overly active worrying brain ...

Squiddly · January 2014

I personally am not willing to take the risk of eating deli meat cold, so I don't. Everyone has to make her own decisions about what risks she is willing to take.

Shima42 · January 2014

Listeria is what doctors are warning you about when they tell you not to eat cold lunch meat. That is because listeria is a bacteria which is much more dangerous to the fetus than to mothers or other people. It can cause serious birth defects and fetal death. To be safe from listeria, you can heat the soft cheese, lunchmeat, or other deli item to steaming, then put it in the freezer for five minutes to cool off and eat it at whatever temperature you want. The key is to not eat the food unless it's been heated to steaming very recently. As long as you cool it off very quickly and consume it right away, it's relatively safe. The quick cooling and immediate consumption keeps the bacteria from growing quickly again.

tealowl · January 2014

Listeria can also be found in cataloupe, so make sure you steam the shit outta that melon.

https://healthland.time.com/2014/01/28/colorado-farmers-escape-prison-listeria-outbreak/

tealowl · January 2014

And frozen stir fry: https://www.thespec.com/living-story/4336230-sobeys-recalls-stir-fry-vegetables-due-to-listeria-contamination/

tealowl · January 2014

And raw sprouts: https://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/listeria/index.html

tealowl · January 2014

See, my MW nurse told me to not eat deli meat, but they never said anything about frozen stir fry vegetables, cataloupe or raw sprouts.

As long as you're not eating from a garbage can, you're gonna be okay dude.

ellaef1984 · January 2014

My ob told me no cold cuts unless heated also. I'm heeding his warning, but I sure do crave a good cold sandwich. I'm a soup and sandwich girl!

dogperson11 · January 2014

Ive heard the warnings and had decided it wasn't something I was concerned about. I've been eating turkey lunch meat about 2-3 times a week during my pregnancy. Now I'm feeling all guilty about it...

Shima42 · January 2014

https://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/listeria/

"Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator. Listeria is killed by cooking and pasteurization."

Oops, meant that reply to be general, not specific.

spinsemeyer · January 2014

I've been eating Jimmy johns every week, without heating it up. It's up to the comfort levels of you and your doctor. I've decided I'm ok with the risk for lunch meat (from a reputable place, that doesn't look or smell "off") and sushi (again, reputable) for myself.

rainydayluck · January 2014

I'm currently eating a wonderful salad from my favorite salad bar place. Yum!
ETA: don't worry, I nuked the shit out of it.

ConversationFear · January 2014

My doctor mentioned it, but felt the bigger risk was cold cuts from places like your local fresh deli or Subway where the meat has been sitting out (whether it's refrigerated or not). She also meantioned I should stay away from party trays with meats and cheeses on them, etc...mostly because, again, they have been sitting out. My doctor felt that pre-packaged cold cuts like Oscar meyer, Lando'lakes, Budding - stuff like that would be fine.

It seems to me that every doctor has their own pet fear, about what you should and shouldn't eat. My doctor didn't seem that concerned with a lot of dietary restrictions, but was super ADAMENT about not having ANY alcohol at all. My BFF's doctor was adament about the deli meats and soft cheeses (even when pasturized), but told her having a glass of wine or beer a week was fine. I'm starting to think it depends on who you ask and what their experiences as an OBGYN has been. You're the one who has to ultimately make the decision on what you will and won't take a chance on.

btweety04 · January 2014

Personally, I will avoid cold cut meat throughout my pregnancy. Listeria is a very hardy bacteria that can not only survive, but thrive in refrigerated environments and is one of the few bacteria that can cross the placenta wall.

I'll just have to get my sandwich craving with a cheese steak.

AndreaKae27 · January 2014

Well my kids gonna look like a dinosaur then. I've eaten subway and jimmy johns quite a bit. Mine said as long as its usda stamped you should be ok.

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