Eating deli meats during pregnancy
Deli meats are boiled meat cut
into slices and prepared for sandwiches and other light meals. They can easily
be referred to as sandwich meats, dinner meats, cold cuts, or sliced meats.
Deli meats can be divided into whole cuts, cut or shaped meat products, or
processed meat products. All types will fall into one of these three
categories.
- Whole cut - whole pieces of meat that have been cooked and then sliced.
- Divided into parts - the meat is restructured from pieces or pieces connected into a single piece.
- Processed - similar to cutting, but may include organ meats.
Deli meats are one of the most
common foods throughout the country. They can be found in food chains, grocery
stores, and local grocery stores. Because they are so common, many people are
surprised to find that pregnancy has a negative association. Deli meats and
pregnancy issues often lead people to ask, what's wrong with meat for lunch
during pregnancy?
Should you eat deli meats during pregnancy?
Chances are you've heard
someone share tips on how not to eat deli meats while pregnant. You've probably
heard others share personal stories about eating deli meats and how it all
panned out.
The good news is that the
likelihood of a problem due to deli meats is very small. About 2,500 people are
infected with Listeria every year. This means that it is extremely rare.
However, the problem with pregnant women is that they are more likely to get
sick, and their developing children are more vulnerable to serious
complications and even death.
Listeria is killed by
pasteurization and cooking. Cold cuts are now treated with a food additive that
helps prevent Listeria before packaging.
You don't need to panic if you
are pregnant and have been eating deli meats. The odds are in your favor that
nothing happened. When it comes to deli meats, it is important to know that the
chances of contracting Listeria are low. On the other hand, you should be aware
that if your developing child is exposed to Listeria, it can be devastating.
Wait until after your pregnancy or take precautions
Some people like meat
sandwiches for lunch. Others choose them for their simplicity or low cost,
while some want something more nutritious than a fast food burger. The safest
way to protect your baby is to avoid deli meats for the rest of your pregnancy.
If you plan to eat deli meats anyway, we highly recommend cooking them until they are steamed. If the meat is heated to steam, any Listeria bacteria present should no longer be alive. Most likely, everything will be fine, but if at all possible, it is better to find other food.