How safe is lunch meat on a Sub?

I heard that lunch meat is not good for you. I love to eat subs and sandwiches. Has anyone ever heard this or is it a rumor. Do you think it will be safe to continue eating subs and sandwiches from deli's?

[kellym]

When I asked my doctor he kind of laughed and said everything in moderation. I have heard about lunchmeat causing an infection called lysteria. Mostly I've heard stay away from the salami & hotdogs. I also know that my friends ob's say stick with Boars head.
Good luck!

[moonflower]

The meat has to heated before it's ok to eat. I love sub sandwiches!!

[amy g.]

I've heard that the danger of getting sick from deli meat is very small, but the damage from that ilness can be great. It probably will not hurt you, but I'm eating only veggie subs during this pregnancy.

[baby4Staci]

i hear that too.. but last time i was pg all i wanted was a sub (i called it a hoagie)  .. You should be OK..

Hey, its also an excuse to get a cheese steak.. that is cooked.. HAHAHA

Also, I noticed i crave tuna when i am pg.. (WEIRD)  I know that is safe in moderation .. anyone know the details about that one???

[disneymom2]

I was told not to eat deli meat/hot dogs unless they were heated until steaming.  The reason, because as mentioned above is the Listeria bacteria which causes Listeriosis.  The miscarriage rate is 75% if you get this bacterial infection.  
The issue with tuna is the mercury.  Light canned tuna is a low mercury fish, however you should only eat 12oz a week and 6oz of Albacore tuna because it is higher in mercury.
I was also told to stay away from soft unpasteurized cheeses such as feta, goat, brie, camembert and blue cheese.  The bacteria in the cheese is hard to kill.  Hope this helps.

[jifnif]

no lie that is all i ate w/ my dd...subs!!!!  she came out 7lbs 11oz and is now 16 and has never been sick ...ever...not saying it was the subs...but she is healthy..now i am a strict vegetarian with this pregnancy...but just so you know...i think you will be ok..

[jgirl34]

I eat everything I normally would before I got pregnant, this is my 4th and with my other I've had no problems what so ever. I think theres something in everything that "could" hurt you. But if you looked at everything like that you would be stuck in a little bubble forever! I eat bologna sandwiches EVERYDAY, because I crave them,, how gross right? lol anyway I say go for it, it's fine! I dont buy from the deli though mine ar eall rocessed lunch meats I heard thats's the best way to eat lunch meat while pregnant and that way you can make your own subs too!!

Staci- The tuna thing, I heard no canned tuna. But I hear to eat that in moderation.

[disneymom2]

I was never told that before when I was pregnant with my son and I ate sandwhiches from the del all the time.  I mean weekly!  He came out just perfect.  The Nurse said that they have recently seen a lot of listeriosis infections so that's why they are bringing it up.  I too think you'll be fine.  I think like the previous poster mentioned, moderation is the key.  I will admit that I have eaten deli meats since I've been pregnant, just not as much as I usually would.

[IWantToBeAMom]

The danger with lunchmeat is that it's cooked and then handled a lot prior to serving, verus heating and serving right away.  If you heat the lunchmeat before eating it, to the proper temp (I think it's 160 deg), then you're fine.  

The other thing is that lunchmeat/hot dogs contains a lot of preservates and sodium, so eat these in moderation.

Did I eat deli meat while pg?  Yes.  But not everyday, maybe once every couple of weeks.  I ate more PB & J then deli meat.  The peanut butter is a great source of protein and PB was one thing that REALLY appealed to me while pg.

The concern with tuna fish is the amount of mercury in it.  But you can have tuna about once a week.

Hope this helps!

[ajaball]

A friend of mine's doc told her to stay away from bacon too.  That stinks...I love bacon.  I haven't had a chance to ask my doc about this.  Has anyone else been told to stay away from bacon during pg?

[disneymom2]

NO, not bacon.  With my health insurance when you find out you're pregnant, they make you take this 3 hour class.  It includes nutrition.  The only things listed were Deli meat,Tuna, and soft unpasteurized cheeses.  I would think bacon would be okay because of course you are going to cook it before you eat it, right.  Although a friend of mine in her fortys said that her doctor told her to stay away from pork.  I think it was mainly because of the sodium and the fact that she has high blood pressure.

[littleonetoluv]

I crave subs and sandwhiches plus it's cheaper to eat that way especially when you are on a budget. I ahve heard stay away from hotdogs, salami, ham, roast beef just because sometimes it is not cooked all the way. But to heat your lunch meat before you eat it? ewww. My baby is just fine, I think it all has to do with where you get your meat and your hoagies. At the grocery I have always gotten Boars Head meat and I go to a sub shop called Jersey Mikes for my subs, there meat stays in refrigerated cases and doesnt stay out in the open like some sub chains. MMMM anytbody else getting hungry? As for tuna I have heard that canned 6-12oz a week are ok. As for cheese I ahve heard that you should stay away from all soft cheeses just becuase sometimes imported cheeses are made with unpasteruized milk, but almost all cheeses here in the US are made with pasteurized milk and that includes most blue cheese, brie, etc. I am a sucker for veggies dipped in blue cheese and I found that most sold here are made with pastureized milk so they are ok. Check the labels if you are unsure, if it is pastureized, it is ok.

[baby4Staci]

i just found out yesterday that i am PG again and i ate SO MUCH blue cheese over the weekend.. as i was eating it i told my sister.. You know blue cheese is bad for you during pregnancy.. low and behold.. HAHA..

Does anyone know about Mahi Mahi?? does that have mercurey in it??

How about shrimp.. is shrimp ok???

[momm2b]

Thanks so much for the input I havent eaten a sub or any lunchmeat in about 3 weeks so now after reading these posts I am starving and really could go for a sub. What about salad dressings anyone heard about being careful with the ones that may contain raw eggs?

[DollChina]

I don't think Mahi Mahi is ok so try to avoid it but shrimp is fine.  I miss Sushi!

[baby4Staci]

ok guys.. i found this website with helpful info..

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/foods_to_avoid.html


Very interesting..

:-)

[jifnif]

awesome site..thanks!!!!

[baby4Staci]

MMM for lunch i just had a spinach salad with shrimp and warm bacon dressing..

thank GOD my m/s hasnt kicked in yet.. ;-)


Your Welcome Jifnif!! its good info to know!!

[amand221]

I miss sushi too.  I even cut out peanuts and peanut butter b/c I read somewhere to avoid it while pregnant if your family has a history of peanut allergies or bad hay fever.  Well, I don't have it on my side, but my DH has bad Hay fever and his cousin has a really bad peanut allergy.  

I had always known not to eat peanuts or peanut butter while breast feeding, but when I read it in that one article to avoid while actually pregnant, I was bummed.  The entire first week of my pregnancy (after I found out at least), I had peanut butter crackers for lunch and it really hit the spot.  I had peanut butter on a bagel a couple weeks ago, but immediately felt guilty.  I have my first appointment with my doctor on March 29th, so I'll ask more when I see her.   Had anyone ever heard that one before though--- NO PEANUT PRODUCTS while pregnant.  I don't think I'd be able to handle having a child with a peanut allergy-- I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER!  (I know I'd deal with it for real), but it would just be soooo sad to not be able to make peanut butter and fluff sandwhiches, or jelly, or eat peanut butter cups... Okay- Now I'm just having a major craving.  Sorry for rambling.  Any thoughts on this one.

Thanks.
~Amanda

[momm2b]

I have never thought about allergies that run in the family specifically peanut butter I will have to ask dr if that is true becuase there are several on my side with severe peanut allergies. Thanks for the idea.

[w8ting4baby]

hey ladies... what is an FMU test?  Is it better then other HPTs?  Baby dust~~~~~~

[DollChina]

FMU=First morning urine.  To detect hcg with more concentrated urine.

[w8ting4baby]

thanks!  Now it makes sense!

[baby4Staci]

i have NEVER heard the no peanut butter thing.  I hope that isnt true.. I WILL DIE.  when i was pg last time all i ate was peanut butter and jelly and peanut butter etc.  

that is just torture..

I was fine this morning and now i am all dizzy tired and nauseas. WHAT GIVES!!

haha..

GO BABY GO

[littleonetoluv]

Mahi Mahi is a no no, it contains levels of mercury that is unsafe. Tuna Steak is also off limits, As far as seafood goes, I think any shellfish is ok, shrimp( mmmm yummy my fave) lobster, crab, etc...

[baby4Staci]

dang, my birthday is coming up and i wanted to go out for mahi mahi at outback steak house.. its my fav.. looks like i am out for that :-(.. It will be worth it though.. i hope :-)

[amand221]

I don't think you'd have to worry about Peanuts and peanut butter unless you had people in your family with bad hay fever and Peanut allergies.  I do believe those are the ONLY reasons that certain people should try to stay clear of peanuts.  I don't think it is a problem for people that don't have the family history.  

I'll let you all know what my doctor tells me.

Here's one article I found online about it...

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/expert/536445.html

[IWantToBeAMom]

When we were at our childbirth education class my DH told the nurse that I ate a lot of peanut butter and poked fun at me because I liked PB so much.  The nurse said "great!! Don't make fun of her.  PB is a great source of protein.".  

Check with your own doctor if you have a history of peanut allergies, but otherwise you're totally clear to eat as much PB as you want!  :)