anyone eating lunch meat?

[Mama2Tristan]

i know that we shouldn't be because of an increased risk to listeria...but I have been craving or wanting turkey sandwiches for lunch....And I have been giving in and getting them. Should I stop?

[Benji'sMom]

I don't know what the likelyhood of listeria is, but this is one of the things I actually do stay away from because you never know where that stuff has been or how warm it got while being transported or being stored in a wharehouse somewhere. Just the thought of it sitting around somewhere getting warm is gross. I would just buy some turkey and cook it myself and make sandwiches with that. At least you'll know you fully cooked it to kill the germs.

[Mama2Tristan]

good point. i think that gives me enough reason to stop right now.

[hottmama]

I've been eating turkey sandwiches, some real, some fake. I don't think there's much of a risk, especially if you buy it at Whole Foods or some other place that has free range, organic meat. The only thing I really avoid during pregnancy is high-mercury fish (esp. tuna, which is the only one I'd eat, anyways).

[Nature]

I thought it was okay to eat lunch meat as long as you heated it up first? Or maybe preggo brain has set in already? :LOL

[Benji'sMom]

Originally Posted by WitchyMama2

I thought it was okay to eat lunch meat as long as you heated it up first? Or maybe preggo brain has set in already? :LOL

I've never read this anywhwere. I did think about it, but wouldn't you have to heat it to the point of actually being pasturized, and you can't really do that in your own kitchen, can you? I don't know . . .

[ozzyemm]

According to my friend, you must heat deli meats to steaming to prevent listeria. She says its okay after that.

I have eaten a couple of turkey sandwiches from convenience store . i don't eat them often; literally only two. if we go to Subway, I will get the meatball sandwich or the hot chicken sandwich.

[LoveMyLil'B]

I eat them sometimes. :

[Nature]

This was the first page I Googled about it.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pre.../listeria.html

"Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats unless they are properly reheated to steaming (or 160 F): Eating out at certain restaurants that provide deli meat sandwiches such as Subway is not recommended for pregnant women since they do not reheat their deli meats. Therefore Subway recommends that pregnant women eat non-luncheon meat items such as meatball, steak & cheese, roasted chicken, seafood & crab and tuna (limit 2 servings a week)."

:LOL Well, the heating to steaming part was relevent, though it sounded like a major Subway plug to me.

[because]

We don't normally eat lunchmeat in our house anyway but last week I HAD TO HAVE a turkey sandwich. Everything I read said that part about heating it up. So I put a few slices on a plate, microwaved about 30 seconds, transfered to wax paper in a single layer, laid it in the freezer for about 5 minutes. I had a safe, cold, craving-satisfying turkey sandwich for the next three meals. :

FWIW #1: I don't think that free-range or whatnot has anything to do with the listeria risk. I worked in a WFM meat department and can't say that I would trust them with my lunchmeat any more than another decent grocer. I do think there's something valid to choosing a brand that is free of hormones, antibiotics, nitrates, etc. WFM is good for that.

FWIW #2: I am totally over that craving and made DH take the rest to work. Can't stand the thought of it now. :LOL

[Nature]

I know how you feel. I was craving grapes and sherbert today. Now I'm totally over it and can't even stand the thought of eating more. :

[nichole]

i accidentally ate some but don't plan to in the future. don't know what i was thinking since i usually avoid the stuff anyway.

[SMR]

Boy am I glad to be a vegetarian.. and not have to worry about things crawling all over my lunchmeat! ick!
By the way, why doen't subway suggest a veggie sub as part of a preggers diet?? I think since I've been pregnant, I've eaten Subway more than any other food!

[ozzyemm]

Shannon-- Me too! We have eaten out SEVERAL times, but the only place I consistantly crave is Subway. I totally forgot about the veggie sandwich. I will try that one next time (and I will add cheese )

[Boobiemama]

What about packaged lunchmeat from the store? Is that safer from the meat from the deli?

[hankiesmama]

I eat sammiches

I eat sammiches with home made turkey in them.
Not only should you stay away from the lunchmeat storebought turkey because of listeria, a lot of it can also have high levels of nitrates which aren't good for embryos and fetuses.
You should see the limited things I eat in early pregnancy. So mental.

And now I want a turkey sammich. Dang you all anyways.
Mindy :LOL

[MuhajibahMama]

I third or fourth the info about needing to heat luncheon meats to steaming before they are "safe". Also, if you can get them free of nitrates and other fillers that is a bonus. We don't eat a lot of luncheon meats here, but we loved smoked salmon...have a ton of it in the freezer...sigh...I know what I'm having first thing in January! :LOL