I was told while I was pregnant that I couldnt eat cold-cuts, such as turkey lunch meat etc. Is that true? Cuz I just ate 2 sandwiches...

Deli meat is fine if you heat it up in the microwave. The concern is that you'll get a bacterial infection called listeria that can make you miscarry.


Avoid anything raw (sushi), reheat lunch meats, no soft cheeses such as feta or brie.

Thats the thing thought, is that I dont heat it up I just put it on a sandwich..Ugh, I cant eat or drink anything anymore Lol.

ive never heard of that- if the meat is unhealthy then they wouldnt be able to sell it. It's already cooked and as long as its within a 2 week period after you bought it then it should be fine!! theres not so many things that you cant eat- theres always loop holes. Like they say no chinese food but you can order it without the chemicals and its fine. You'll be fine!

Kailey
39 weeks

Hi concerned to read these threads on what not to eat as those mentioned have not been told to me by my clinic! They have just told me the obvious like unpastuerised cheese, shellfish, eggs that are not hard boiled, meat that is not thoroughly cooked. I have never heard of not eating cold cuts of meat and chinese food! Can someone please clarify. Thanks.

www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/listeria.html


What is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that is found in water and soil. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil, and animals can also be carriers. Listeria has been found in uncooked meats, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk, foods from unpasteurized milk and processed foods. Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking. There is a chance that contamination may occur in ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs and deli meats because contamination may occur after cooking and before packaging.

Can Listeriosis harm my baby?

If you are pregnant and are infected with Listeriosis, you could experience:

* Miscarriage
* Premature delivery
* Infection to the newborn
* Death to the newborn (only 22% of cases with perinatal Listeriosis result in stillbirth or neonatal death)

Early treatment may prevent fetal infection and fetal death.

Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats unless they are properly reheated to steaming (or 160 F): Eating out at certain restaurants that provide deli meat sandwiches such as Subway is not recommended for pregnant women since they do not reheat their deli meats. Therefore Subway recommends that pregnant women eat non-luncheon meat items such as meatball, steak & cheese, roasted chicken, seafood & crab and tuna (limit 2 servings a week).

Do not eat refrigerated pates or meat spreads.

Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole.


There is more on the site concerning safe food handling.