can and can't eat?

Question

i was told to not eat bologna and other deli meats while pregnant?
true? if so why?

Answer 1

Apparently deli meats and soft cheeses have the "potential" to give you listeria which can be dangerous to you and baby,

The problem with the Deli meat is that sometimes it isn't cooked properly. If you chuck it in the pan for a bit just to ensure it is cooked thoroughly then you can eat it.

Soft cheeses have the potential to give you listeria because it is unpasterised - which is why you are advised against it in pregnancy.

In saying that - i didn't find this out for ages into my pregnancy (i'm 28wks now) and ate both through - out ... no probs. But just to be on the safe side once i did find out i stopped with the soft cheese (Feta in my case). Deli meat.. well i crave it on occasion so i just put it in the pan and ensure its cooked so i can still enjoy it!

Answer 2

You will hear a lot of things while pregnant. You should clear them all with your doctor. I have never heard of this one though. One thing I do know is that a woman needs a lot of protein in the early part of the pregnancy, and the best way to get it is through meat. So do you do out and buy a whole roast? Or a package of roast beef deli meats? Another complete protein is beans and rice together. There are a lot of books available on the subject, and some common sense is needed also. There are a lot of "old wives tales" out there that the books will address for you as well, just spend some time at your favorite book store. If you don't get the answers you are looking for just talk with your doctor, that's what they are there for.

Answer 3

processed meats like bologna and hot dogs have a high amount of nitrates in them. Not enough to cause significant problems for your baby, maybe just extra gas for you.

I have never heard of a woman being told she couldn't eat these while pregnant. Maybe its because of the sodium, if you are prone to swelling?

Ask your doctor if that is who told you this info. When ever they give you info you do not understand you should ask questions until you do.

BEst Wishes to you!!

Answer 4

my sister in law was told this too.

Listeria is a type of bacteria found everywhere. Listeria can cause a food-borne illness called listeriosis, which is extremely dangerous for a pregnant women and her unborn baby. Listeriosis can cause premature delivery, miscarriage, and fetal death. A pregnant woman is more susceptible to Listeriosis because of the normal pregnancy changes that affect your immune system.

Listeria are unusual because they can grow at refrigeration temperatures. Only cooking kills them. Therefore follow these food safety tips:

Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta (goat cheese), Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheese, Roquefort, Mexican soft cheese, queso blanco, queso fresco queso do hoja, queso de crea, and asadero. If you do use these soft cheeses they should be cooked until boiling.
Use hard cheese, such as cheddar, Swiss, and Colby. Also, soft cheeses like mozzarella, pasteurized processed cheese slices and spread, cream cheese, and cottage cheese are safe to eat.
Be sure to use dairy products that are pasteurized and labeled.
Do not eat refrigerated pate, and meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pate and meat spreads can be eaten.
Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is in a cooked dish, such as a casserole. Examples of refrigerated smoked seafood include salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, and mackerel which are most often labeled as "nova-style', "lox", "kippered", "smoked", or "jerky". This fish is found in the refrigerated section or sold at deli counters of grocery stores.
Canned fish and shelf-stable smoked seafood is safe to eat.
Clean your refrigerator regularly.
Use perishable, ready-to-eat, and precooked items as soon as possible.

Answer 5

Deli meats are fine.. its the packaged meat that you shouldnt eat. Something in there to preserve it (you know that bit of yello looking stuff) is not good. I can not remember what is in it though, I just remember that that is what you shouldnt have and therefor they recommended to get deli meat instead of packaged

Answer 6

i was dying for a turkey sandwich last month and i read that too. i asked my dr's and they all said as long as it's pre packaged, not sliced in the deli... then you will be fine. also you can heat it up and it's safe. so if you want bologna...fry it.

Answer 7

The danger potentially lurking in these and other lunch meats is listeria. It is an odorless bacteria, so you can't tell that the meat has gone bad simply by smelling it.

Here's a link: http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/listeria.html

And body of article:
You can get very sick from some ready-to-eat foods if you wait too long to eat them. The sickness is called Listeriosis. A germ called Listeria causes it. It's unusual because it can grow at refrigerator temperatures where most other foodborne bacteria do not. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it. Only heat can kill it, but if heated food cools, listeria may grow again.

You should avoid some foods and take special care with others to prevent listeriosis.
Who's at risk?

* Pregnant women and their unborn babies
* Older adults
* People with cancer, AIDS, and other diseases that weaken the immune systems.

How can I reduce my risk?

* Keep your fridge set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
* Use precooked and ready-to-eat foods as soon as you can.

Danger: Avoid These Foods

All pregnant women and others at risk should not eat certain foods.
Don't eat soft cheeses:

* Mexican-style soft cheeses including: queso blanco, queso fresco, queso de hoja, queso de crema and asadero
* feta, brie, Camembert, blue cheese, and Roquefort
* cheeses made from raw milk.

You don't have to cut all cheeses from your diet. Cheese can be a good source of protein, vitamins, and calcium when you are pregnant.

These cheeses are safe to eat: hard cheeses (such as cheddar and Swiss); semi-soft cheeses such as mozzarella, pasteurized processed cheeses such as slices and spreads, cream cheese, and cottage cheese.
Don't eat refrigerated smoked seafood right from the package:

* This includes salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel. They might called "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky." It is safe to eat smoked seafood if it is cooked in its dish, like a casserole.

Canned seafood is safe. Examples are canned salmon or tuna in a pouch.
Don't eat refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads. Canned meat spreads and pâtés are safe.
Don't eat raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods that contain raw milk.
Be Careful With These foods

* Ready-to-eat foods: Hot dogs, cold cuts, lunchmeats, deli counter meats, and other ready-to-eat foods. Eat these foods only if they're reheated until steaming hot. Even cured meats such as salami must be heated.
* Meats and seafood: Cook these all the way through. Stay away from rare meat and seafood.
* Leftovers: Reheat all until steaming hot.
* Fruits and vegetables: Listeria can grow on some fruits and vegetables. Do not buy sliced melon. Wash all fruits and vegetables with water. Scrub hard produce such as cucumbers and melons with a clean produce brush.

How can I keep my kitchen safe?

* When you buy pre-cooked or ready-to-eat foods that go in the fridge, use them as soon as you can.
* Clean your fridge often.
* Make sure that the fridge always stays at 40 degrees F or colder. Use a refrigerator thermometer.
* Read labels. Follow instructions on foods that must be kept in the fridge or have a "use by" date.
* Wash your hands with warm soapy water after you touch raw foods. Wash any knives or other tools you used with hot, soapy water before you use them again.

You can get sick from two to 30 days after you eat food. Pregnant women can start early labor if the infection spreads to the unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms:

* Fever and chills
* Headache
* Upset stomach
* Throwing up

Answer 8

listeria! it doesn't really make you sick...but it can cause birth defects in your baby. deli meats should be heated until steaming before you eat them. this includes turkey, ham, roast beef, etc.

Answer 9

Bologna is disgusting.

Answer 10

I have never heard that before but as far as I know you eat what you can stomach.