Can you eat lunch meat while pregnant?

I ate lunch meat my entire pregnancy, no issues.

1 Like

My midwife said once in a while was ok but it’s the listeria that’s the risk. If you heat it you’ll be fine

U can eat it just get it toasted and dont eat a lot of it

1 Like

I ate cold lunch meat all the time :woman_shrugging:t3: one of the only things I could stomach

1 Like

My doctor told me as long it was fresh from the actual deli I could eat it

I ate it. I mean what would we do in a survival situation while pregnant? How did humans survive this long not following those guidelines? Just listen to your body.

1 Like

I had the same question while i was pregnant. I wanted subway/subs and I asked my pediatrician and she said once in awhile ain’t gonna hurt anything. she said she ate it once in awhile when she was pregnant also. just like hots dogs. you want a dang hot dog, go eat one. I wouldn’t over do it and go and eat it every day or anything like that because of the fact of bacteria.

1 Like

You can eat it, it just needs to be heated up to a certain temp.

3 Likes

I ate everything they tell you not to during all 5 of my pregnancies. My kids are fine and have no food allergies :grin::grin:

I also ate lunch meat my whole pregnancy. My dr told me to get the good quality stuff and don’t eat it if it’s been sitting out.

If you want subway, getting it toasted is the best option but honestly just eat what you want. They have so many warnings that it’s ridiculous. The chances of anything happening are very very slim.

2 Likes

They say to not eat it because of a bacteria called listeria. It can be found in processed meats and unpasteurized cheeses. If you heat up the lunch meat to steaming it will kill the bacteria. Listeriosis (the illness that can occur from consuming the bacteria) is rare normally, but more common in pregnancy because of immune system. Most doctors say to avoid it or heat meat even though it’s rare because it’s not worth the risk… listeriosis can cause miscarriage stillbirth etc

Cold lunch meat can harbor listeria. It’s not worth the risk, just heat it up.

Its got nothing to do with it being cold - its the nitrates in lunch meat that are bad for us - especially when pregnant. But one sub won’t be a problem - get your sammich baby!

I ate sushi and lunch meat with all 3 of my pregnancies. My kids were and still are healthy as can be!! I didn’t eat it all the time but I did eat it

I eat subs and sandwiches. It is fine as long as the meat is heated up. I’m 16 weeks.

You risk getting food poisoning. Those meat slicer aren’t cleaned that often there’s plenty of contamination. In the end it’s your choice what you eat

As long as its heated

I had three kids they only told me that with my last pregnancy I ate it anyways everyone is fine

They say listeria is a risk, to slightly heat the lunch meat beforehand. If you’re worried about it, heat it first. But honestly, the risk of listeria in luncheon meats is so low, I never bothered when I was pregnant. There are far more cases of listeria is fruits and veggies than anything :woman_shrugging: do a quick Google search for the last 5 years of recalls of foods with listeria- all were for produce, no lunch meat

It’s because of the risk of listeria on lunch meat. I’m strict and don’t risk it, but to each their own.

Toast it that’s what I was told/did. Kills bacteria.

I ate it lol. All I wanted was turkey and tuna sandwiches

1 Like

I ate it and was fine my little one is too

1 Like

I ate it… just go somewhere clean. I craved subs with 2 of my
pregnancies

I ate it. I have 4 healthy kids

1 Like

I didn’t ever hear such a thing when I was pregnant with my first so I ate it all the time. Now that I’ve heard it, I didn’t touch it for months and then I would eat it toasted like at subway. And every once in a while I’ll eat at my favorite sub shop but not all the time.

1 Like

Try Boars Head brand, if you have in your area. Think it’s a safe quality product.

We went to subway alot when was pregnant i just had to have then toast it

Ate cold cuts all 3 of my pregnancies…never told me I couldn’t…my kids are all fine.

1 Like

My dr said it’s fine unless you’re eating like a pound of it in one sitting.

1 Like

I never did I was told the same I lived on tacos and chicken :pensive:

The only reason you are told to avoid deli meats is the potential for contact with listeria bacteria which can seriously harm the baby. You can put deli meats in a skillet for a few minutes until they’re steaming hot, and then you can eat it. The re-cooking will kill the bacteria off so you’re safe with that.

As long as its toasted you’re good. They worry about listeria…

I ate it. That’s really only a rule in the US

Lunchmeat is pasteurized before packaging. I ate it all the time with all 3 pregnancies. Actually never heard about this till now.

I eat jimmy johns and subway. I toast my sub at subway anyways. Get it. :person_tipping_hand:

Oh goodness… Eat your sub you will be fine. My 1st pregnancy i avoided it like the plague. 2nd and now 3rd its affordable and gotta eat…everyones fine. Actually cold bologna sandwiches helped with most of my morning sickness at night the last few weeks.

I was told that too. I think it’s fine if you just heat it up.

I have 4. And ate sandwhiches. Both home mafe and sub ways and any where that sold them n. All mine are fune now 23 17 8 n 5. And im still up n kicking never got sick except w the smell of mustard. But thats all

There is a slim chance that you can get listeria if the meat is not warmed, which can be fatal to the baby. Sure, many do it and are fine. I guess you gotta weigh out your priorities. Many also survived without baby carseats, too, but the ones who didn’t aren’t here to talk about it. Just strap a doggy leash on them like the good ole days. They’ll probably be fine.

I have 2 healthy kiddos 6 & 4 and I never heard that in till my sister in law got preg and said she wasn’t eating lunch meat ? I dunno I’m sure its a personal choice thing my ob never said that to me …:blush: congrats also one sandwich won’t hurt

I ate it with both of my kids. They say you’re suppose to heat it first. I ate it cold and toasted

I ate it my whole pregnancy never once had a problem! I craved lunch meat so much when I was pregnant and my dr never told me I couldn’t

My ob told me to pick whatever lunch meat is unopened and have them cut it fresh. Or heat it up for 30 seconds

I was told that too but gave in to my cravings every once in awhile

Subway was my craving :joy: they are totally okay to eat! I got mine toasted a couple of times tho just to ease my mind lol thinking a 30 sec toast would kill off any bacteria but not always toasted. My babies fine :woman_shrugging:t3:

I was told it’s fine if you cook it long enough to kill the bacteria.

I ate a lot ofsubs from subway but I’d always heat it cuz it kills it

Just get your sub toasted lol problem solved

I ate it when I was pregnant.

You need to heat up the meat to 165 degrees. Then you can cool it the refrigerator if you want it cold. I loved Hot turkey bacon sub with the cold toppings when I was pregnant.

1 Like

Just heat it toast it. Every now and again isnt going to hurt anything.

1 Like

2 healthy kids 5 year and 1 years I ate it.

Go somewhere where theyll cut it fresh … never taking the first slices.

Check the health department rating at your local sub shop before ordering anything there. If they’re not rated 95-100, I would go to a different sub shop, or get deli meat at the grocery store and make subs at home. :slightly_smiling_face:

I’m 36 weeks and have been eating subway my whole pregnancy and didn’t even think about it until a couple of weeks ago and I’m fine. I decided I’m going to just get it toasted:)

1 Like

I ate cold sandwiches and didn’t have a problem

2 Likes

I ate whatever I wanted, and we r all good, had 3 healthy kids.

2 Likes

I ate lunch meat with all 3 of my pregnancies. 22, 13, and 5 months. It actually wasn’t until this last pregnancy that I heard you shouldn’t

1 Like

It’s just a risk of getting food borne illness, the meat itself isn’t going to hurt you. Just make sure it’s fresh. It’s very unlikely to cause problems but if you get listeria or something, that’s what the concern is about.

1 Like

I had such a huge craving for bologna and chocolate ice cream when I was pregnant, I ate it all the time! My son is 18 with absolutely no issues!

I ate whatever the hell I wanted when I was pregnant…everything in moderation, I wouldn’t recommend eating tuna and sandwich meat and hotdogs and anything process everyday or throughout the day, but never deny your things The simple pleasures in life is not going to hurt the baby.

If you get bit by a tick you can become allergic to meat

Just have it hot. That’s what I was told at every appointment by every doc and nurse I saw.

I didnt know this was a thing… I ate it during both pregnancies. :woman_shrugging: both of my kids are fine.

They say lunch meat… such as bologna has trace amounts of lead… tuna has trace amounts of mercury, ect

The concern is listeria, rare but valid. I ate it with two pregnancies though and was perfectly healthy. I ate jimmy johns during my first pregnancy almost daily for months though and I was still fine. My sister works in an ER and sees pregnant drug addicts daily, she told me eat your lunch meat drink caffeine (just not excessively) and you’re fine.

I was told to make sure it’s toasted. I ate sooooo many sandwiches while I was pregnant, but toasted all of them to kill the bacteria. The bacteria can potentially cause brain damage to the baby. My doctor said it’s a small chance, but there is still a chance. In my mind it’s better to be safe than sorry. :woman_shrugging:t2::smile:

You’ll be fine honey. Go get you a Jimmy John’s sub, Publix sub, or a Jersey Mike’s sub. (If you have any of these places near you) Fresh and good.

It’s ham usually , I ate cold sandwiches and were fine

It’s not just food bourn illness that is a risk. A lot of lunch meat is highly processed and has a lot of sodium and nitrates.

I ate a lot of coldTurkey sandwiches and my baby was born this year healthy as hell

2 Likes

Just go for it you know you will. So GO GET THE DAMN SUB NOW .

Get your sub but take it home and zap the meat, rebuild
No problem

Just warm up the meat.

Off the subject but all you mamas that craved sandwiches did most of yall have girls or boys? Fun lil survey lol

I work at jimmy johns and literally eat lunch meat 5 days a week. Just make sure u get the meat from a reputable resturant or grocery store

Listeria is the concern when it comes to lunch meat, not lead :roll_eyes: heat it throughly. You will be fine!

They recommend against it because of the possibility of the common food borne bacteria Listeria which can grow on food that’s old, been stored improperly (at the wrong temperature or exposed to temperature changes), or left “out” to long. Normally this is a bacteria you can consume in moderation without side effects at the most you’ll get a stomach ache or feel nauseous, but a fetus can’t handle the bacteria like we can. It can increase the risk of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester. That’s why they tell you to cook your food thoroughly and stay away from other foods like deli meat and some cheeses.
When I’ve been pregnant I’ve just heated or pan seared my sandwich meat the toasting setting at subway isn’t long enough to “cook” your meat and they leave meat out on a bar so I wouldn’t suggest that but it’s up to you. My suggestion is to go somewhere that serves hot subs or make one at home it’s easier than you think :blush::baby:t3:
The chance of this bacteria isn’t great it’s just a matter of “better safe than sorry” so just use your own good judgment

2 Likes

Just get it toasted and you’ll be fine

Honestly if you have one sub you should be okay I crave them too this pregnancy and the last. Get it toasted if you want though. :slightly_smiling_face:

Processed foods have lot of salt and sodium.

Bacteria can be on everything you put in your mouth… Eat the sandwich as long as the place is clean and has a good health dept grade

1 Like

If anything get organic lunch meat. That’s what I did when I really wanted a sandwich or cook a chicken breast and make a sandwich that way

You can eat lunch meat it’s some fish that you cant eat

Supposedly you’re only supposed eat pre sliced meat like in the sealed packages you get at the grocery store. Because fresh sliced deli meat can be cross contaminated due to the fact that they don’t clean the blade between meats :woman_shrugging:t2:…but I ate the hell out of subs and stuff anyways and nothing bad happened lol

Occasional lunch meat is OK your not suppose to overindulge because lunch meat can have a bacteria called lysteria

Most prepackaged lunch meats have little risk of contamination because there’s additives to protect against it. The main concern us deli meat and I would assume subway as well because it sits out. I would say make your own sub or ask them to microwave the meat for 15 seconds to kill any bacteria

I’m going to be honest I ate cold lunch meat sandwiches everyday at work… N my son is 15 months old n healthy as can b

I worked at mr pickles a whole pregnancy and ate lunch meat my whole pregnancy.

Everybody I know have ate sandwiches with cold cuts while pregnant… I craved then when I was pregnant with my youngest son he’s fine " 34 yrs.old now" We all know alot of any food is not good for us at any time. Eat your sandwich.

Its It’s more or less your more like to become sicker if exposed to the processed meats or soft cheese or raw fish that could affect your baby’s health . Certin bacteria could affect a babys brain in utero . Each to there own . I eat it every once in a bit as well. Also craving subs now. Lol

I go to subway and have em toast it a lil extra im 15 weeks tm

Just toast or warm the meat first

They told me that too because of Listeria risk but I craved Jimmy John’s and eventually gave in. I was fine and I’m sure u will be fine if u eat it in moderation.

Just get fresh meat. The processed part is what you wanna stay away from. Although I ate processed and everything was fine though.

You can cook the meat and be fine. That’s what my doctor’s told me.

Per my OB, as long as it’s toasted or heated up you’ll be fine.

Yes it being toasted is fine!