Deli meats

What's the deal with deli meats? Are they ok for LOs?

I dont eat them (not a big meat eater) and I was told not to eat them when I was pregnant (cant remember why not) so I didnt know if they would be ok for the girls.

 

While pg there is a concern of Listeriosis which is caused by the listeria bacteria which can live in/on deli meat. It's rare but pg women are more susceptible to the illness. It can cause serious complications.

As for your LO's there usually are a lot of preservatives and salt in them so I don't think deli meats are harmful per se but definitely something I do in moderation.

Christy

 

Ditto pp on being pregnant and eating deli meats-but I ate them anyway-and my OB said it was totally fine. I thing more of it has to do with bologna, etc...Who knows!

As for the boys-they LOVE deli meat. Turkey and ham they DEVOUR! Now-I don't give it to them EVERY day...but maybe 2-3 times/week. They are great when I can't figure out what to do for a meal!

 

I give the girls deli meat occasionnally. I limit it because of the salt content, but they LOVE ham so I do that for lunch sometimes.

 

I think there are also nitrates in deli meat. I'm not sure how much and what risk it would be. I guess I'd ask the Ped next time you see him/her.

 

you can buy organic, nitrate-free deli meats, that is what we used Mine didn't and still don't get salt from many other sources so I was ok with occasional deli meat

 

I would avoid sausage, bologne and salami meats as they are high in fat and nitrates. Get nitrate free and go organic and hormone free. Also make sure not to buy if MSG is in them.

 

I didnt even know there was such a thing as organic deli meats, but like I said I dont eat them. Do you get them at the deli counter?
I was just thinking maybe taking a piece of my mother's Bores Head ham or turkey and putting it on their grilled cheese sandwich, or cutting it up as a finger food. I just dont want them to be a super picky eater like I am!

 

I'll have to look for the organic meat but I give mine deli meats. I will make them a grilled cheese and put a slice of meat in there, cut it up and they love it.

 

QUOTE(cohlee @ Sep 25 2008, 08:46 AM) [snapback]996936[/snapback]
I didnt even know there was such a thing as organic deli meats, but like I said I dont eat them. Do you get them at the deli counter?


Here you can buy them at Whole Foods and Sunflower Market, they don't last as long as other deli meats since they are not as processed but I did not want them to get the nitrates at that age (now.....not as careful :blush: )

 

If you have a Whole Foods or Trader Joes you can get them there.

 

Cool! Thank you!! We have a whole foods being built but wont be done till next year.