Eating lunch meat while pregnant

[jenn5388]

Originally Posted by cakeums I eat lunch meat. The risk of getting listeria from lunch meat is about as high as your risk of getting hit by a car while walking down the street. As long as it's kept to a proper temperature and handled safely it should be okay. I trust the deli in my grocery store.

Ditto!

I think some people just need things to worry about.

[momof3boys1girl]

Originally Posted by greek4 I eat lunchmeat out of the fridge about once a week. I did it during my pregnancy with DS and I am doing it again.

we love sandwiches around here.

[Dorothy'smom]

I eat it all the time! I had some tonight w/cheese and crackers for dinner.

[Magpiedpiper]

My OB said as long as the lunchmeat is from a reputable place not to worry about it. She did specifically say not to buy lunchmeat from walmart though? heh

[mycdsqueaker]

i think unfortunately in today's day and age no food is guaranteed to be 100% safe. I asked my ob/gyn about this issue....he looked at me and told me he couldn't even tell me that veggies were safe anymore with all the salmonella outbreaks and what not.

[abacus2]

While no food is 100% safe, listeria specifically while usually mild, can kill a baby in utero. That is just too serious for me to dismiss despite the fact that cold cuts are one of my favorite things and I have to make sure I'm getting enough protein for my GD diet. I realize the risk is small, but when consequences are dire and prevention measures are relatively minor, I do what I can.

[TwinKristi]

I have eaten lunch meat during every pregnancy. In fact I was kinda obsessed with Subway's Cold Cut Trio w/ extra mayom pickles and mild peppers for quite awhile! LOL Yes there is a risk of listeria, but there's also a risk of doing everything right and having something go wrong anyway. Just like a PP said, you could walk down the street and get hit by a car. Pregnancy was made into such an "illness" with these limitations. The rates are higher when you're in your 3rd trimester and if you're having multiples. Not to mention, you can get it and die even if you're not pregnant. So should everyone avoid eating it?
According to a 2006 study, there are aprox. 833 pregnant women diagnosed with listeriosis per year. According to another study from 1990-1999, only 11 out of over 65,000 pregnant patient came up with listeriosis.
I totally understand women avoiding it, I also understand women avoiding caffiene and such. Personally I don't! Everyone has to make their OWN decisions based on the facts and their experiences.

[HannahsMom]

I still eat lunchmeat. I just heat it first. I was so happy to read this thread, and see other people eat it to. They make eating lunch meat sound soo scary.

[kimir_98]

Originally Posted by TwinKristi I was kinda obsessed with Subway's Cold Cut Trio

This is all that I have been craving lately!! Thanks for all of the responses. Glad to know that I am not the only one!!

[PKat]

My midwife told me that it is safe to eat it if it is real lunch meat and not over processed (so like the slimy stuff). She also told me to only eat lunch meat from places like subway or other sandwich shops if it has been heated through.

Which is good cause mama craves italians right now