Is it safe to eat tunafish and deli meats whilst pregnant?

Answer 1

Deli meat is considered a no no now as it can increase your chances of contracting listeria (a bacterial infection of the uterus that is extremely dangerous for the fetus) as can feta cheese, blue cheese, any soft unpasteurized cheese. Albacore tuna is off limits, but canned tuna is okay once or twice a week due to mercury levels.

Answer 2

When I was pregnant, the rule of thumb was not to eat 1 serving of tuna more than once a week. Deli meals are OK to eat, but like another responder stated, the nitrates will make you extra thirsty, so I wouldn't advise it. Try to eat foods that are as fresh as possible.

Salmon is a suitable substitute for tuna, and you can eat more of it. Most Tilapia is farm grown, so there is very little mercury risk with that. If you have more questions, ask your doctor, nurse, or midwife.

Answer 3

For many years the larger species of tuna, typically used in sushi, or eaten as tuna steaks, have been deemed unsafe because of mercury levels. Predator fish at the top of the food chain have the highest levels of mercury and other heavy metals and toxins which bioaccumulate and move up the food chain. Recently, even canned tuna fish was deemed unsafe for pregnant women as it too is showing unhealthy levels of mercury. Mercury is so dangerous for the fetus and youngsters that there are no 'safe' levels--it has no safety threshold, as other hazardous substances do. In addition, there have been health and safety warnings for many years that it is not safe for pregnant women to eat more than one serving per month of any fresh-water fish caught in NAmerican lakes and streams, as they too contain unsafe levels of chemicals, such as PCP's and DDT.
Deli meats are high in nitrites, which are not great for anyone, but are considered 'safe'. Obviously, any deli meats or other food that has spoiled is unwise to eat while pregnant.

Answer 4

I don't know about deli meats but stay away from fish all together. Fish has a really high chance of having mercury in it. Although most mercury levels are low and safe for adult comsumption, it is unknown what is a safe level for an unborn baby. Stay away from fish

Answer 5

I think you just need to watch the amounts. Ask your doctor or dietician about the amounts of mercury in the tuna. It seems to me I remember the caution being for a really large amount of it - not just a couple sandwiches or tuna casserole. Watch with deli meats - they are high in fat and salt.

Answer 6

I don't think so because tuna has mercury in it (just a small amount) and that can be harmful to a baby. Deli meats are fine.

Answer 7

Tuna, yes...but limit yourself to 3 ounces (one can or one small tuna steak) per week. Deli meat isn't the best thing because if it's not refrigerated properly, you and your baby could get sick. If you cook it thoroughly (even though it's already cured and cooked) it should kill any bacteria or germs that can get on it if it wasn't refrigerated properly. Then again...who wants to eat hot lunch meat? LOL I craved tuna melts with my first son, and ate one every week, and my son is perfect. :)

Same goes for soft-serve ice cream...if the machines aren't cleaned properly, you can get lysteria, which can harm your baby.

Answer 8

Not the Deli because it contains Acid Saccharin

Which is a kind of harmful chemical to your fetus.

Answer 9

Not tuna or fish with mercury traces in it. I dont know about deli meats, never heard not to.

Answer 10

NO TUNA. I haven't heard anything about the deli meats though.