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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Salami, Parma ham, chorizo?

30 replies

midori1999 · 19/07/2013 23:47

I've been eating loads of these meats with salads recently. I've got gestational diabetes, so they're my 'treats'. The NHS website about food to avoid in pregnancy says some countries suggest avoiding due to the listeria risk, but the UK does not.

However, having just looked at the NHS page regarding toxoplasmosis, it says this can be contracted from these meats too.

So now I'm confused, should I avoid or not? How high/low is the risk of toxo from these meats? We do have a cat anyway, although I avoid changing the litter if I can.

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Lovemyprincess4eva · 20/07/2013 00:26

I have stopped eating them as I was told to avoid them on the list that my midwife gave me. Xx

Smerlin · 20/07/2013 06:46

I've been eating them throughout as NHS said it was ok.

urtwistingmymelonman · 20/07/2013 07:20

im 21+3 and have been eating loads:/

purplemurple1 · 20/07/2013 07:37

I've been eating things like that throughout and mine includes home butcher and dried meats (I'm abroad and my OH hunts). I decided to stick with common sense re food hygeine - no idea what the actual risk levels are though.

Rowboat · 20/07/2013 08:01

ate them in first pregnancy and this. I think fine. I eat chorizo a other actually but usually cooked too anyway.

BelleEtLaBaby · 20/07/2013 09:19

I've been eating them - really craving salami in particular. I just buy small amounts and make certain it's really fresh. I think the risk is quite small - the NHS used to advise against cured meat but doesn't any more.

islingtongirl · 20/07/2013 09:25

I've been eating throughout and NHS say it is fine - mainly from supermarket packets but occasionally out in places I trust. Maybe would think twice if thought not refrigerated properly and already cut etc, but otherwise no restrictions on these for me!

Jenjen85 · 20/07/2013 10:10

I ate salami from 20 weeks as I really craved it (had bad morning sickness for first 17weeks) and my beautiful little girl turned out fine Grin I only ever bought packet stuff tho never from the deli counter. Enjoy!!!!

thatstoast · 20/07/2013 22:17

I've been eating all of those meats, if the NHS doesn't recommend against it I don't see any reason to stop. There's an awful lot of scaremongering in the media/all over the internet/from other women so I only go by the NHS recommendations otherwise you wouldn't eat anything.

butterfliesinmytummy · 20/07/2013 22:47

When I was pregnant with dd1 about 9 years ago I read that there was a risk of toxoplasmosis from cured meats. I had been eating a lot of Parma ham and knew from a previous test that I wasn't immune to toxoplasmosis before falling pregnant. I was pretty stressed about it and about 35 weeks pregnant so my gp tested me, despite the fact that he'd never heard of this risk. I didn't have toxoplasmosis and suspect he tested me to shut me up and stop me stressing.......

FreckleyGirlAbroad · 20/07/2013 23:08

I live in Spain so its quite hard to avoid but here we're told to not eat it. No cured meats at all.

Original poster
midori1999 · 20/07/2013 23:51

Thanks for the replies. The problem is, it is on one of the NHS pages it says its a toxo risk. Confused

OP posts:
CheeseFondueRocks · 21/07/2013 00:34

In Germany, these meats are a big no-no, as much as the dodgy cheese kinds. The reason given is listeria and toxo.

The conflicting advice makes we wonder now whether I shouldn't just eat whatever I fancy. It would be interesting to hear what is being advised in countries across the world.

urtwistingmymelonman · 21/07/2013 07:04

typical!
my usual diet is normally made up of cured meats,soft and blue cheeses,rare meats and game(yes apparently,you shouldn't eat game either).
have had to practically change my whole diet.

Longfufu · 21/07/2013 07:57

I've been eating them, nhs said its fine. However I only eat the pre packed stuff not off the deli.

googietheegg · 21/07/2013 08:11

I'm in France and we're told not to eat any cured meats or deli stuff at all, not salad in restaurants either.

thatstoast · 21/07/2013 11:55

I've had a look and I can see on the NHS page that specifically talks about Toxoplamosis it states that it can be found in Cured Meats. However, it still doesn't advise against eating them when pregnant. So I would still say as the NHS doesn't advise against it I would see no reason to avoid it.

rosesandpirates · 21/07/2013 19:58

I thought these were a definite no no. I think the nhs advice is very badly worded but there is a small risk of toxoplasmosis.

rosesandpirates · 21/07/2013 20:06

www.tommys.org/page.aspx?pid=193

PoppyAmex · 21/07/2013 20:11

I thought the NHS said it was fine to eat them in the UK?

I'm Mediterranean and I'd die without chorizo and other cured meats, so I've been eating them with gay abandon.

rosesandpirates · 21/07/2013 20:16

I suppose it's a personal risk assessment. i would rather not have the worry.

RememberingMyPFEs · 21/07/2013 20:16

I'm 38+4 and have had no cure meats at all. Gutted if it is ok after all but thought the toxo risk was reason to avoid. I've gone with better safe than sorry with food tbh... Can't WAIT for juicy rare steak, Parma ham and Gorgonzola!!

BettyFlutterbly · 21/07/2013 23:58

I'm in Spain too. They test you for toxo at the beginning of your pregnancy and if it shows that you've never had it you are not allowed to eat any cured meats at all.
I haven't touched a single slice since I got pg but am going to have the biggest pig out when dd2 is born in a few weeks.
I'd avoid it/cook it to be on the safe side.

urtwistingmymelonman · 22/07/2013 06:12

oh yes remembering.gorgonzola.mmmmmm!

BelleEtLaBaby · 22/07/2013 19:30

Gorgonzolaaaaa

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