Is it safe for pregnant women to experiment with deli meat? What happens if you eat hot pastrami during pregnancy? This article will cover hot pastrami and pregnancy and what you can do to prevent deli meat from harming your baby.
Pregnancy is life-altering news for couples, but it comes with rules that a pregnant woman must follow. They aren’t binding rules but suggestions that keep the mother and baby safe until the former reaches full term. Most of those suggestions are related to dietary restrictions, one of which is pastrami.
Cold and hot pastrami sandwiches are loved by people who frequent delis. Pregnant ladies can crave deli meat occasionally, but they need to be careful with some deli meat offerings. While hot pastrami does not harm pregnant women, cold-cut meat can lead to diseases.
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Can You Eat Pastrami While Pregnant?
Steamy hot pastrami slices in a sandwich are safe during pregnancy. Although you must be extra careful while eating deli meat, hot pastrami does not harm you or your fetus. Some places would reheat pastrami slices and serve them warm, but that’s not good enough during pregnancy. You need to make sure pastrami is pippin’ hot before you eat.
Cold pastrami, on the other hand, is dangerous for pregnant women. They can develop Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that thrives in moist environments like a deli. Listeria can survive in various temperatures. Even refrigeration does not prevent it from growing. If you eat cold-cut pastrami meat during pregnancy, you are risking food poisoning called listeriosis.
The disease is dangerous because it develops quickly into a deadly infection, meningitis. It can lead to mental illness, paralysis, disability, and/or death after brain damage. The baby is also unsafe if the mother develops listeriosis. If listeria reaches the placenta, it can induce preterm labor, damage to the baby, or even miscarriage.
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If you’ve eaten cold pastrami by accident without knowing the negative effect of cold-cut meat on pregnant women, you do not need to panic yet. Try wait-and-watch approach before rushing to the hospital, and look out for the following signs:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Backache
- Muscle aches
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Stiff neck
- Stomach ache
- Convulsion
Listeriosis does not develop right away. It can take anywhere between two and 30 days to develop. You may want to reach your doctor right away, but they won’t be able to help unless you’re showing signs of disease.
See medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above after eating deli meat. Do not wait for days because listeriosis can reach the nervous system and worsen the disease.
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How to Avoid Diseases Caused by Pastrami During Pregnancy?
If you’re asking for a steaming hot pastrami sandwich at a deli, make sure they don’t serve it warm. Only the pastrami meat that has reached 165oF can be called safe during pregnancy. Bacteria do not survive this temperature, which makes it safe for pregnant women.
If you have no choice but to get cold pastrami from a deli, you can take precautions to avoid developing listeriosis. You can heat the deli meat until it’s steaming before you make your sandwich and eat while it’s still hot. “steaming” is the key here—if the meat is not steaming hot, the bacteria may still be alive.
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Summary
Pastrami deli meat is only safe for pregnant women when it’s “steaming hot.” The high temperature kills the bacteria before it reaches your digestive system and causes listeriosis. Hot pastrami is also safe for the baby.
Cold pastrami slices are not safe for pregnant women. The process involves the unsanitary handling of meat, leading to the growth of bacteria called listeria. Therefore, avoid eating cold pastrami slices if you are pregnant.
Hot Pastrami and Pregnancy – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can You Eat Beef Pastrami While Pregnant?
Beef pastrami is cured, not cooked. Cured meat may have parasites and bacteria that can cause food poisoning. If you want to eat beef pastrami, make sure it’s steaming hot. The bacteria or parasite won’t survive the high temperature.
Is Pastrami Cooked or Raw?
Pastrami is cured before it’s eaten hot or cold. Many people prefer hot pastrami because it’s delicious and safer, with less risk of food poisoning. If the pastrami slices are cold, you can heat them up and enjoy a mouthwatering hot pastrami sandwich.
How Do You Know If You Have Listeriosis?
Pregnant women are at risk of developing listeriosis after eating cold deli meat. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, upset stomach, stiff neck, confusion, and/or loss of balance.
Can I Eat a Reuben When Pregnant?
Reuben sandwiches are delicious but only safe for pregnant women when heated thoroughly. The meat inside the sandwich must be steaming hot to reduce the risk of listeria infection. Make sure to ask for a hot Reuben sandwich from your deli.
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My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
