Ok so someone told me with my 1st pregnancy 2 yrs ago I couldn’t eat lunch meat?! Here I am pregnant again and I just want a sub. I have been craving one forever. If I get it toasted should I be ok? Someone said cold lunch meat can have a bacteria on it?
8 Likes
So it depends. Some people will say theyre warned by doctors not to eat lunch meats from delis without heating it up first as it poses a risk of Listeria. Most doctors will not warn of this, however, and simply say to eat anything in moderation. Im one who was never told by a doctor to not eat lunchmeats. I did ask once just to see and they said its unfortunately a risk for any prepackaged or prepared foods that arent cooked. It seems to be more of a risk on the presliced fruits and lettuces like romaine.
Toasted sandwiches/subs are perfectly safe no matter what one is told or believes.
If you want a sandwich, have a sandwich 
Toasting it is the safest option. Pre-packaged meats are significantly less likely to have the bacteria than freshly cut from a deli. I always toasted it with my first. With my second I just ate cold lunch meat once or twice a month and didn’t stress about it
1 Like
There’s the risk of listeria. I feel a lot of woman are going to say “well I did it and I was fine” but you should know it 100% can cause you to have a miscarriage and/or have a stillbirth.
9 Likes
I had never heard of it until 2 yrs ago. My old con worker actually lost her baby at 8 months from this. I ate it with all 5 of my kids. Lunch meat can contain listeria.
I craved hoagies pregnant. Also had HG and hoagies was one of the things I could keep down no problem. I asked my ob. They said the risk of listeria is low and if I promise to get a really high end brand I should be ok once a week.
Here was my thought on it while pregnant: my sense of smell was through the roof, and I’d always had a sensitive nose anyway, so I figured if anything was off with the meat I’d pick up on it.
I did make a point to always use a new pack, or one that had been opened very recently.
I ate lunchmeat with all 3 kids. Never heard if this until my last kiddo 6 years ago. I was told if I was going to eat lunch eat, toss it I the microwave for 10 seconds (I didn’t do that, either)
I always heated my meat up.
They say that you shouldn’t because the cold meat has bacteria or something but with both my pregnancies I had lunch meat I just didn’t make a habit of it just in case. But once in a while to curb a craving I would.
1 Like
I ate cold lunch meat during all 4 of my pregnancies and never had any issues. I even ate cold hot dogs right out the fridge🤷♀️
6 Likes
There’s a chance of listeria if you eat cold lunch meat. You should heat it up. The chances are honestly low of listeria but it’s personal choice. I have craved cold cut combos from subway all of my pregnancies and have indulged at least 3 times a week. Lol
1 Like
You can ask the worker to microwave the lunch meat if possible. 20 secs in the microwave and have the sub toasted. Listeria is a big concern at places like subway. If possible make your own subs using deli meat from the counter (still microwave).
This must be new info. I have never heard of this. I do know new info comes out all the time. Do what you and your doc feel is best, not what a bunch of people on the internet say
2 Likes
You can have it toasted. That’s it.
You can, just get it toasted.
Yes it has bacteria on it I read this to help me prevent early labor. You can still eat it just fry it for a few min to kill the bacteria is all
Get chicken or something on it. Sometimes lunch meat comes fully cooked too.
Girl go get your sub!!!
1 Like
I did. never had any problems
1 Like
Yes there is a chance for listeria my ob alsways said heat it up and get it from somewhere reputable and it would lower your chances of coming in contact with it
There is a risk of listeria. For safest practices heat lunch meat up. You also “should” be fine if you really trust the source you’re getting the meat from.
But if you’re going to a place where they leave the meat out all day or have questionable practices then avoid it.
I eat lunch meat but only if I buy it from a store and trust it
My oldest is almost 19 & when I was pregnant with him I will never forget the day that some nosey woman who obviously didn’t know how to mind her business literally started a fight with me at the deli about how I was going to be a bad mom because I shouldn’t be eating cold cuts. So #1 the way she went about doing it she is lucky I was pregnant lol #2 so many (men & women) took care of it for me lol & #3 Eat what you want! If you are having a craving go for it. I ate cold cuts with all my pregnancies & my kids turned out fine 
1 Like
I craved cold subs during my pregnancy. My doctor said to be cautious of places like subway but making one from home every once in awhile would be fine
With my 1st I was told I had to heat the lunch meat up. With my son 7 years apart I was told no lunch meat. I ate sandwiches my whole pregnancy was my craving and mustard. I warmed it up still.
My first pregnancy that’s the majority of what I craved. I ate lunch meat the entire time with no issues
Giiiirrrrlllllll, just do it. Nobody’s gonna know.
She’s just thinking bout it, she’s not gonna do it…
BAM! She did it.
Y’all know pregnancy cravings are always gonna end up in the mouth! Or at least you stiff it lol It’s ok girl, we all gotta eat, go get you that sub! Do it for me too, f#*k this diet crap. 
Oh, and congratulations lady! 
There’s always a chance of listeria. But my OB told me if I really wanted one to make sure the deli meat was fresh and I would be fine 
I would buy prepackaged lunch meat and make my own sub. I wouldn’t buy it unwrapped from a deli counter or takeout due to the high risk of listeria. I’ve had listeria and was in hospital for a week without adding pregnancy to the mix.
You just have to warm it enough that the meat steams then you’re good.
In moderation its fine, I even had the ok by my doc to eat sushi. Only did maybe twice but it sure helped with the cravings!
Girl, go eat ur sandwich!
Ate it with all 5 of mine but heat it of you’re concerned
My ob said I can, as long as it’s heated up. Which is the way I prefer it anyways.
Cold lunch meat can have listeria. But look, honestly I ate lunch meat all the time in my pregnancies and nothing bad ever happened. If you’re worried about it, just make sure it’s heated.
1 Like
Yes the doctor told me the same. Listeria is the issue I believe. Doctor also said it’s fine in moderation.
My doctor said that thought was super old school eat n do what I wanted