Avoiding lunch meat when pg?

Ok, I had lots of deli sandwiches with my other two pregnancies and my babies came out fine.  Well I just read on babycenter.com that the deli meats have nitrates in it, which might be bad for pg women.   But my other two kids turned out fine and so I think this is a little weird for them to warn against eating this when pg.   This is one of the things I like to eat (subway sandwiches, etc) and I am pretty picky right now because of the nausea. 

Anyone else eat lunch meat when pg?

Heck yeah I ate them! I live in sandwiches. Both of my kiddos are happy and healthy. I personally don't see all the worry is... you gotta eat!  :-D

The reason I thought we were supposed to stay away from cold deli meats is because of the chance of listeria.   It's hard to keep up with everything we aren't supposed to eat while pregnant.  I ate deli meat while pregnant with Hannah...although I did warm it up first.

Yep.

I did with my fist one and he turned out fine but with this one I haven't.   My doctor warned me about listeria.   She did say if you really want it to go to the deli and have them freshly slice your meat.  Don't purchase anything pre-packaged or the deli meat that has been pre-sliced and sitting out.  
When you go to subway just have them heat the meat up for your sub.   Just to be on the safe side.

Like Amy said I heard the reason we can't eat lunch meat (or smoked salmon or soft cheese) during pregnancy is because of listeria.

In Europe Listeria (a bacteria) is routinely tested for during pregnancy because it's such a large problem (they don't refrigerate like we do). 

That being said.... if you heat the meat until steaming you kill the bugs.  Never tasted as good to me though!  

My brother and sister-in-law who are both doctors said they think that is over-cautious and as long as you eat lunch meat from a place with high turnover and good hygeine / food safety   (Subway) there shouldn't be a problem.

Still.... I stayed away for the most part.  I admit to giving into my Jimmy John's craving a time or two... Strangely, Listeria affects pregnant women most during the 3rd trimester and often the mom only gets a slight stomach ache and doesn't know she has it., but it affects the baby.  (and yes, can kill the baby)

Scary stuff.... but rare in the US.   

I read a lot about it because I love lunch meat (and smoked salmon) so much !  It is one of my main source of protein on a lot of days!  (I know, bad because of the nitrates!) 

Anyway....  as with all the "warnings" take them with a grain of salt and do what you think best for yourself!

Cindy

Actually, they do fridge the same, they just have a LOT of soft cheeses over there, and unpasturized cheese (that's what makes them so nummy).

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

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/list eria.html

Better to have more information, and better safe than sorry, I say.

Lisa

Also.... HOT DOGS can give you the same problem. Apparently.    I asked my OB about both of these issues. She just said... dont eat hotdogs out at picnics or some place like that, where they have been sitting out. And the lunch meat thing... she said just dont eat A LOT... or heat it up before you eat it (yuck).... LOL

The deli meats and unpasteurized milk or cheese provision in pregnancy is due to the risk of listeriosis. It's uncommon in America, but a recent upsurge in cases (especially among organic eaters) has brought it to the public health forefront.

In 1995, my second child was stillborn at 36 weeks as a result of undiagnosed listeriosis. It manifested in me as a kind of low-grade flu, with slight fever, nausea and stomach cramps. But it cost Logan his life. It was a devastating loss.

If you do eat deli or cheese, make sure they are thoroughly heated to kill whatever bacteria might be lurking.