Lunch Meat...is it safe for kids?

kayla's mama wrote: I was thinking about sprucing up Kayla's menu for lunch and thought that lunch meat would be a good idea. The more I thought about it the more I questioned it. I know when I was pg that I was told not to eat lunch meat because of the Listeria. So is it safe to give Kayla lunch meat?

TIA

mummy2girls replied: im not sure.. I do give jenna balogna sandwiches once in a while.

PrairieMom replied: Man I hope so.

ian'smommy replied: I think they say that when a woman is pregnant becuase so many people tend to keep the meat longer than they should, or leave it out too long, and it increases the risk of food poisoning and in a pg woman, that wouldn't be a good thing. I have never heard anything bad about giving kids lunch meat. I have only heard about it for when you are pg. Ian has had lunch meat along with the rest of us.

1lilpeanut2love replied: I wouldn't see why not! I give Kaylee lunchmeat sometimes. So, I am sure it's fine! I surely hope so!! LOL

luvbug00 replied: we only eat bologna so I don't know..sorry..

b&bsmom replied: I think it would be fine. I give my guys lunchmeat. I have never had a problem. I don't see a problem with it but if you are really concerned you could ask your doctor.

jcc64 replied: The question really is- is it safe for anyone in large quantities? We eat it here, in moderation, and only certain types and brands- turkey breast and occasionally ham is about it. The thing about some lunch meats is that they contain nitrates, which really aren't good for anyone. The cheaper brands use alot of preservatives, water, sodium, and the like, and it's just not good stuff to be ingesting on a regular basis. Babies and young kids are so unpolluted and their immune systems immature, so any wayward bacteria is likely to affect them more than healthy adults, so that's probably why the warnings about pg women. My policy is- once and awhile, but not as a regular staple of our diets.

kayla's mama replied: thanks for all the info. I'm thinking of doing it just once in a while.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I give Wil turkey lunchmeat. Like Jeanne said, they do carry a lot of nitrates, which isn't good for anyone, but I feel that everything in moderation is okay. Wil eats turkey hotdogs too. Both contain a lot of salt, so I just make sure that he eats a lot of fruit and veggies to balance it out. Basically what I'm saying is that we try and not serve lunchmeat with a bunch of other high salty foods.

Brias3 replied: That's a valid point you bring up but I honestly have never really thought twice about it. I ate lunchmeat on occasion during pregnancies and do give the kids lunchmeat occasionally. None of them are fans of sandwiches/cold cuts very much but they do have it once in awhile. I surely hope its not bad for you. As long as you watch how long you've had it and how you store it, you should be fine giving her lunchmeat.

My3LilMonkeys replied: My kids do eat lunchmeat, in moderation. I have to be especially careful with Brooke - she loves ham and just last week stole the package out of the fridge and ate a whole half pound while I was bathing Madison.

ediep replied: Jason eats turkey, I only buy the Boors Head Low sodium brand, its like $9 a pound, so Its pretty natural

Boo&BugsMom replied: I think, just like with many other things, it would be just fine in moderation. Most things in moderation are not too bad for you. I would go for the deli meat instead of the pre packed stuff though. It's much better for you, and fresher.