Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

Am I allowed to still get cold cut sandwiches from the deli or blimpie or no??

Turkey and cheese with lettuce and tomato??

Message edited 10/21/2008 10:27:57 AM.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

COLD cold cuts are a no no. in fact, any food that has been out and sitting around is really a no no - because of the bacteria that could've settled on it.

No salad bars, etc...

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

they could contain the bacteria listera due to being kept at improper temps, or being sliced on the machines which you never know how well or IF they have been cleaned. Cold cuts are okay though if they are heated through.

For me personally, I've stayed away from cold cuts and salad bars. But I find salad bars to be anyway.

Message edited 10/21/2008 10:30:43 AM.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

My OB said it is ok to eat cold cuts if you know the place is a reputable place. I eat them all the time.

I am going to look up the statistics now on the number of PG women that have ever caught listeria from cold cuts. I have never heard of one person.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

Every Dr. will tell you something different - Mine said no cured meats (ie: salami, prociutto, etc) but Ham, turkey breast, Roast beef are fine b/c the are already cooked - (as in, no need to HEAT them) Again, this is HIS opinion -

I rarely eat cold cuts so it's really not a big deal for me...........

But honestly, I'd stay away from blimpie or something like that - A reputable deli where they are clean and slicing them fresh is one thing, but blimpie where they're sliced and then sitting out all day ........blech !!

My cousin is an OBGYN and she eats everything and anything ........She says she does stuff she wouldn't tell her patients to do b/c she knows the risks are like 1 in 10 million, but as a Dr. she needs to cover her a$$ in case HER patient IS that 1 .....KWIM?

so again, it all depends on the Dr.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

My OB also told me that it's fine if you're getting it from reputable clean place that stores and cuts everything fresh. If the coldcuts are pre-sliced and sit out, like at Subway or something, than not so much.

That said I still haven't touched any at all.

This is yet another one of those pregnancy do/don't that you have to ask your OB and also do your own research and then ultimately decide what you feel most comfortable doing.

ETA: But, I do get macaroni salad and other salads from my amazing deli and those sit out...so ya see, I counter my own argument about the sitting out food. But, I do know and trust my deli and everything is clean and fresh and really, i'm not just going to stress about it cause I looooove their macaroni salad.

Message edited 10/21/2008 10:37:51 AM.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

i will be honest - i think this is something that i'll be doing HARD CORE until the 2nd trimester (should i get that far)....and then i may lessen up my 'restrictions'....(by that i mean, allowing myself one roast beef sandwich a week or so)..

ya know? Anyone else do that too?

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

It is up to you. The risk of Listeria is small, but it is there and there is no real treatment for it if you encounter a problem. And I have heard of a listeria case that happened in DHs family, which could be why I am more cautious.

I personally stay away b/c I am not willing to take the chance, but like others, my Dr says it is OK as long as the place is clean and reputable, packs the meats properly and at the right temp, OR if I "cook" the meats. (Apparently steaming them kills off the bacteria).

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

I eat turkey with my scramble eggs. But i heat up the turkey in the pan first and then add the eggs and scramble it all together.
I read that if you heat the meat it is safer.
But everything in moderation. Ask 10 people and you will get 10 opinions!

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

I have gotten subway a bunch of times and I just have them nuke the meat in the microwave before they make the sandwich.....as far as deli coldcuts go - those I am staying away from. The biggest craving I have is a turkey sandwich, but I am not giving in to it - but that's just me.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

enjoy them, get them from a reputable deli and heat them up for a few seconds if you want to

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

The chance of listeria is small, but there is still a chance. Personally, I don't believe its one of those "moderation" type things. You could have one turkey sandwich your entire pregnancy, and that one turkey sandwich could harbor listeria. Its not a chance I'm willing to take.
If you heat up the cold cuts to steaming, they are safe to heat, as the heat will kill the bacteria.
I can live for 9 months without a turkey sandwich.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

I have turkey about once a week. I think everything in moderation is fine. You have to do what you are comfortable with!

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

thanks ladies

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

I would talk to your OB - they tend to vary greatly on this. Personally I stay away from them b.c all you need is to eat them once so for me moderation doesn't make sense in this respect. But others are very comfortable eating them it comes down totally to your personal comfort level.

Just for a different point of view here are a few articles...you can also get Listeriosis from unwashed veggies as well...


from columbia prebyterian's website:


from the cdc


infrom from haravard eating healthy during pregnancy...

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

I eat them. It's really your call but then again I eat raw sushi while pregnant.

Message edited 10/21/2008 11:07:37 AM.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

I think it depends on where you get them. I personally have eaten a turkey (cold) sandwich everyday for the last month. I eat salami when I want it. I really eat whatever/whenever I want. I am a firm believer in Moderation. But of course, as I have stated MANY time before this is MY OPINION!!!




My dr has also NEVER told me NOT to have anything.

Re: Someone please break down for me the deal on cold cuts

My doctor told me the same not to have any deli meats.... then i started craving ham in a very bad way....

i shared this info with him, and he told me that if i HAD to have them, then he would prefer i eat the deli cuts that are already prepackaged. i forget the brand name right now, but oh yeah - the deli selects - they are in a red tupperware type thing....

he felt more comfortable with me having those as opposed to having actual deli meat.