Everyone loves deli meat. It’s a staple of a good deli. If you are pregnant, you will probably be wondering if you can eat deli meat while pregnant. Can I Eat Deli While Pregnant? What does your midwife think about it? Is there any possible risk to eating deli meat during pregnancy?
Deli meat is a popular addition to many sandwiches and salads. Even though deli meats are pre-packaged and can be kept on the shelves in supermarkets, they are also made from real food rather than artificial ingredients. Deli meat is not explicitly dangerous to eat while pregnant. However, there are some things you should know before buying it again. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of deli meat while you’re expecting.
Pros of Deli Meat While Pregnant
If you’re craving protein while you’re pregnant, deli meat may be the perfect solution. It’s high in protein and B vitamins, which are important for pregnancy. Deli meat is also a good source of iron and zinc, which are important for fetal development and healthy pregnancies. Eating deli meat while you’re pregnant is a good way to get your daily dose of iron, which is important for your prenatal health and your baby’s development. It’s especially important to get enough iron if you’re breastfeeding because your body uses iron to make breast milk.
Cons of Deli Meat While Pregnant
Deli meat can contain listeria, which is a type of bacteria that can make you and your baby sick. Listeria can cause severe issues for both pregnant women and their unborn babies. While it’s not common, pregnant women are more susceptible to listeria infections. Deli meats can be a source of listeria, like any other raw meat. Deli meats can also be high in sodium, which is important to keep an eye on when you’re pregnant. You may want to choose lower sodium options or choose lower sodium deli meat when you’re pregnant.
Which Deli Meats Are Best During Pregnancy?
If you want to enjoy deli meats while you’re pregnant, it’s best to choose lower sodium options. The FDA recommends that people consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, which includes people who are pregnant. The good news is that many deli meat manufacturers are offering lower sodium options. This can make it easy to choose a healthy deli meat option while you’re pregnant. You should also try to choose deli meat with the fewest additives and preservatives as possible. This can make it easier to choose a healthier option.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Pastrami, Corned Beef and Other Smoked Delicatessen Meats?
Deli meats like pastrami and corned beef are preserved with a smoking process, so they need to be treated like any other smoked meat. That means that pregnant women should avoid them. However, it’s important to remember that these deli meats are not just smoked. They also have additions like spices, oils and other ingredients. Those ingredients can be more dangerous than the smoking process itself. That means that pregnant women should avoid smoked deli meats.
Is Corned Beef Bad for You When You’re Pregnant?
While you’re pregnant, it’s best to avoid corned beef. It’s also best to avoid other smoked deli meats. This is because smoked foods like corned beef have been known to cause food poisoning. Food poisoning is a bacterial infection that can cause severe symptoms. While some symptoms are mild, food poisoning can cause serious symptoms in pregnant women. While pregnant, you should avoid foods that have the potential to cause food poisoning. This includes foods that may be contaminated with bacteria like raw fish, unpasteurized cheese and deli meats preserved with a smoking process.
Bottom line
Deli meats are not just protein and B vitamins. They also contain preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and a host of other ingredients. Are they healthy? No way. They are not even healthy for non-pregnant people. You may want to choose organic deli meats. This can make it easier to avoid added chemicals and added sugar. You should also avoid deli meats that come packed in plastic. This can make it easier to avoid chemicals like BPA. However, it’s important to keep an eye on your daily sodium intake when you’re pregnant.
