Do You Guys Stay Away from Lunch Meats When Pregnant?

I was so happy to finally be pregnant (after wanting a baby for many years) that I stayed away from ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that could be potentially harmful. My list included: alcohol, caffeine, soft cheeses (goat, feta, blue cheese, etc.), luncheon meats, raw eggs (as found in many caesar dressings for salads, certain fish with higher mercury content, etc.

It was hard to break some old habits with some of the things I gave up (mostly caffeine), but it was worth it. In fact, I actually gave it all up for 2+ years between pregnancy and breastfeeding. When you think about it, that time is really only a small "blip" in our lives and if sacrificing a few foods/beverages can have any chance to protect my unborn and newborn child...then I was going to do it.

In the end, the sacrifice of giving up some foods/beverages is so minor compared to the peace-of-mind of knowing that you're doing the very best to protect your child.

Congratulations on your upcoming angel. Many Blessings!!!!

I was told to stay away from it and I did. However, I was also told that you can heat it up and it kills the germs. So, when I was craving it, I would heat it in the microwave until it was hot. Good luck!

Hi J.,

I stayed away from the lunch/deli meats during my pregnancy as well as caffeine. In my current pregnancy I drink caffeinated beverages almost everyday. My OB said I can have one caffeinated drink per day and that lunch meats are fine. I'm taking advantage of all that this time around!!

-Char

I ate lunchmeat the entire time I was pregnant, including hot dogs. No problems. I did drink some caffeine, but had cleared it with my dr first...one drink a day was fine. I did make sure I got extra calcium though, not a problem for me since I love milk, but I made sure I got a lot of it.

Hi J.
I know when I was pregnant I ate almost every thing Lunch meat , deli sandwiches from subway and I even had caffeine I honestly think each person and child react differentially. Both of my boy are fine they are not over active from the caffeine in take and birth delivery's went fine. This my 1`st time every hear that you should not eat lunch meat my doctor never told me I couldn't.

When I asked my dr. she said that just be sure that it is as fresh as possible, and that once you get it home, that you eat it within a few days. I would probably stick to meats from a good deli, rather than from the lunch meat section, but that is just my opinion! Good luck with the pregnancy...my son is 14 months and I am due within the next month, so I can sympathize with how close your pregnancies are!! ~A.~

Yes I did, my ob/gyn had said to stay away from it. Her main thing was though to not go to Subway or like places where the meat is out and not kept completely refrigerated.