Can I Eat Lunch Meat While Pregnant If I Microwave It?

Lunch meat is one of the favorite foods pregnant women can’t put aside. Most pregnant women have this question: “Can I eat lunch meat while pregnant if I microwave it?“. Read the following article to find the answer to this question.

Is it safe to eat lunch meat while pregnant?

It depends. On what? Let’s talk about it in detail.

Overall, it is better not to eat lunch meat while pregnant, as consuming it can put pregnant ladies at risk of Listeria infection. According to studies, pregnant ladies are 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than others. As a result, they should not put themselves at risk of this harmful infection by eating foods containing this kind of bacteria.

It is more advisable to avoid eating lunch meat and other processed foods during pregnancy and eat other pregnancy-safe options instead. However, those pregnant ladies who crave lunch meat during pregnancy can have this kind of processed food in moderation. Remember that your lunch meat should be heated until steaming before consuming.

Hipregnacy recommends you consult your doctor before adding lunch meat into your diet while pregnant, as each pregnancy is unique and has different circumstances. Consulting your healthcare provider is the best way to take care of yourself and your developing baby.

Also Read: prosciutto when pregnant

Can I eat lunch meat while pregnant if I microwave it?

Yes, but you must pay attention that it should be completely heated.

Cold and room-temperature processed foods, like lunch meat, can increase the risk of listeria infection. Pregnant women are 10-20 times more likely to get listeria infection than others. This infection can cause stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature birth.

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can be killed with heat. So, if you are pregnant and want to eat lunch meat, cooking and warming it up to avoid getting sick is vital. (It needs to be heated to 165 degrees.)

Read More: what not to eat when pregnant

To cook lunch meat and make it safe to it during pregnancy, you can use both a microwave and a pan:

1. Microwave:

• Set slices of lunch meat on the plate as well,

• put the plate inside a microwave,

• wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute,

• let the heat distribute evenly.

2. Pan:

• Put a pan on the stove,

• set lunch meat on the plate,

• and warm it up over medium heat until it is steaming. [1: livestrong]

Precautions to take while eating lunch meat during pregnancy

Now, you know that it is better to limit eating processed foods like lunch meat while pregnant, and if you crave it during this period, only consume heated ones. The followings are simple but vital points that can reduce the risk of infections while eating lunch meat during pregnancy. let’s take a look at these four necessary tips;

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing lunch meat while pregnant.
• Cook and warm it up until it is steaming to kill all the harmful bacteria.
• Don’t store the package of opened lunch meat for too long.
• Whenever you see the signs of listeriosis, talk to your doctor or go to the nearest hospital for a checkup.

Conclusion

Lunch meat is one of the most delicious processed foods that pregnant ladies want to taste and enjoy during their pregnancy. Most ladies know it is better not to eat lunch meat while pregnant, but one of their repetitive questions is, “Can I eat lunch meat while pregnant if I microwave it?”

We covered the answer to the above question in this article and proved that you can consume heated lunch meat, steaming hot during pregnancy. But the important point that should be considered: consult your doctor before adding lunch meat into your diet! Do you know any other new points about eating lunch eat while pregnant? Do share your experiences and ideas with us and other moms-to-be.

FAQ

How long to heat lunch meat in microwave when pregnant?

You should heat lunch meat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until steaming hot to make it a pregnancy-safe option.