Safe to eat packaged ham in pregnancy?

[docpeppa]

I normally buy the breaded/crumbed ham you get in a packet.

I have been told by a few people you can't eat packaged/processed meats when pregnant. Is this true?

I know I can't eat chorizo, Parma ham etc. I thought a pack of breaded ham would be fine, but now I'm told otherwise...

Yes you can eat ham

I honestly can't see how this would be a problem. Have you checked the NHS website?

Cooked ham is fine. You can also eat cured ham (Parma etc.) if you cook it or freeze it for 24 hours first as this kills bacteria.

Its fine. Have you checked the nhs website for guidance.

It might be worth directing these 'helpful' people to it.

Thanks I thought it would be fine, i'll have a look at the nhs site.

You know what it's like as soon as your pregnant, everyone has an opinion about what you should or shouldn't be doing!

Hi docpeppa I agree with everyone else that it is fine, although, I ate a ham sandwich yesterday so had to carry on and read these comments just to be sure! Obviously we all try to be careful, and I think the friends that have told you this maybe have had a bad reaction to eating ham during pregnancy and it hasn't agreed with their stomach? For example I heard you 'shouldn't' eat spicy foods when pregnant but after reading on the nhs site, it's just not recommended due to it might not agree with you and make you feel
sick! But everybody's different, and for somebody, spicy food might be the only food they can manage during pregnancy. Defiantly have a read on the nhs. I discovered we can't have runny eggs, along with a lot of other things!

Those are American rules. Anyone advising you using these in the UK is clearly influenced by hearsay or doesn't understand the importance of using the guidance for the country you're in (which takes account of local food hygiene and ingredient laws, local habits, best before dates...).
Also America can be quite odd about pregnancy. For example many Drs think induction between 37-40 weeks is the "safe ideal" and start doing internals at 36 weeks ... something unheard of in most countries as it causes longer, complex labour and smaller babies!

The UK guide is here, it has a detailed Q&A section afterwards too: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/foods-to-avoid-pregnant.aspx Read the whole entry not just the heading (several are on there to tell you they ARE allowed).

Hey thanks squizita!

I've just looked at the link and it actually says this...

"Pre-packed meat is safe to eat if you're pregnant

Pre-packed meats such as ham and corned beef are safe to eat in pregnancy. Some websites (maybe from other countries, such as the US) may suggest you avoid pre-packed meats in pregnancy, but this is not the advice in the UK."

Cheers all!

I had very samey diet during my first pregnancy, I ate a ham sandwich nearly everyday for lunch (I know not super healthy but better than no lunch which is what I had before getting pregnant) my dd was born perfectly fine although she now loves a ham sandwich

I think you don't need to worry you can eat packed ham! and it won't harm your pregnancy!