Deli meats

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty confused about what deli meats can you eat and what you should stay away from. Some meats are cooked, right?

[Anonymous]

The issue isn't whether they're cooked or not. All deli meats are cooked. But if you zap it in the microwave until steaming first, you're supposed to be okay.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I read that too, but that's not always practical especially during lunch hours at work when you want to eat a sandwich ...it's too busy downtown to expect most sandwich places to microwave your meat

[Anonymous]

If you go to Potbellys, all sandwiches are automatically toasted, so the meat comes out steaming hot. At Subway, you can ask for your sandwich to be toasted, and that also comes out steaming. As for other delis, you can bring it back to your office and microwave the meat yourself. I am almost 37 weeks, and have been doing all 3 things, in case that helps you.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure all deli meats (as well as stuff like smoked salmon) are considered no-no's unless heated. Personally, steamed deli meat sort of grosses me out, although the toasted subs seem like a good compromise!

[Anonymous]

the problem is listera, which is commonly found in deli meats, alfalfa sprouts, things like that. Not a problem of us, but deadly to a fetus. I have a close family friend that lost her baby at 8 months pregnant due to listeria. I am sure she would of nuked her sandwich or ate something else if she would of known the outcome.

[Anonymous]

I asked my doctor about deli meats at my last appointment. I told her I'd been staying away becuase of everything I'd read (re: listeria). She said listeria is not really a problem with all deli meats - just ham and those in the pork family. I specifically asked, "So that means I can have a turkey sandwich using deli meat I buy from Giant???" And she said yes. Roast beef and other beefs are fine as well. I asked about cross-contamination at the deli counter, and she said not to worry. My recollection is that she mentioned the chance of listeria in ham/pork deli products is pretty slim, but because listeria is so deadly to the baby, they recommend you aviod those particular products all together. Beyond deli ham, she recommended I avoid hot dogs.

Anyone else heard this from their doctor? I believe some OB/GYNs read this board - can any confirm? I was really surpised by my doctor's answer about the deli meat situation, and have been continuing to avoid them. I felt better, however, about ordering other types of sandwichs (e.g. chicken salad) becuase I am not so worried about the cross-contamination aspect. I see my doctor again next week and plan to ask her this question again, just for peace of mine.

Sorry if I muddied the waters with my response....

[Anonymous]

OB/GYN here:
Must say that is the first I have heard about certain types of deli meats.
The recommendation is ALL deli meats, due to listeria

[Anonymous]

FWIW (because I'm certainly not an expert like PP/OB) but my peri was adamant about no deli meats - none. I'm from NYC too and it nearly killed me.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

Also the folks behind the deli counter may not always change their gloves when handling the different meats (sausage links, salami, ham, turkey) and the cheeses.

If you have a turkey sandwich once in awhile I wouldn't fret unless you are super high risk (per my doc. She even said it was ok to have a hotdog at a BBQ if I craved it).

I'm in the everything-in-moderation/once-in-awhile camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I felt better, however, about ordering other types of sandwichs (e.g. chicken salad) becuase I am not so worried about the cross-contamination aspect.

I thought chicken salad sandwiches presented the same problem? Am I wrong?

[Anonymous]

My OB said that smoked salmon is totally fine. She said that listeria is actually in so many things - salads, for instance - that to try to form a diet around foods that had zero listeria risk would be practically impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I felt better, however, about ordering other types of sandwichs (e.g. chicken salad) becuase I am not so worried about the cross-contamination aspect.

I thought chicken salad sandwiches presented the same problem? Am I wrong?

PP here. I just did a search to answer my own question and yes, chicken salad sandwiches (because of the cold chicken) present the same hazard for listeria.

[Anonymous]

My OB told me that many deli meats are loaded with preservatives which is another reason to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

So what about all other meats? Sausages (at a BBQ) if cooked properly would be completely cooked through and should be fine, no?

And salads with chicken are a no-no too?

If I'm reading the responses correctly only cooked meats in warm meals are okay.