HELP confused about nitrates

What could I have at a Stop & Shop deli counter? Boar's Head Turkey Breast?

Could i have something frozen that says in the ingredients mononitrate?

What are nitrates and how do I know what has them?

thanks

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

We're not REALLY supposed to have cold cuts but IMO they are not the worst thing for you. All I know is bacon and hot dogs have nitrates. You can have them, you just want to limit your intake. I have bacon almost once a week (Sunday breakfast) and a hot dog about once a month.

ETA: If you heat your cold cuts to steaming they are fine.

Message edited 5/13/2008 7:13:09 PM.

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

I eat cold cuts once a week and hot dogs here and there.

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

my doc told me I can't have any uncooked cold cuts such as salami..but he did say we could have turkey breast, since its already cooked, just limit the intake....

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

I'm a german girl and can't eliminate ham from my diet... however, I DO heat it up first (which eliminates the listeria problem).

As for nitrates / nitrites, I don't eat anything that contains them (bacon, sausage, cold cuts)...

organic products don't.... so I recommend you buy organic

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

As far as I know, not all cold cuts have nitrates. Nitrates are in things like salami, pepperoni and maybe bologna. It's also in things like hot dogs and bacon (they do make bacon without nitrates, read the packages.)
The idea of heating things like turkey, or chicken breast would decrease the chance of listeria which is from the meat sitting around.
So you should check with your doctor about cold cuts and nitrates - my dr. said cold cuts were fine without heating as long as the place has a high turnover. She also said to stay away from the stuff that may not be as popular.
My dr. never really mentioned nitrates but I have been limiting them. I don't think it matters how much you cook them because you aren't killing nitrates. I've eaten a few hot dogs, bacon before I realized it had nitrates, and some italian heroes with salami and such.

Everything in moderation!

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

My doctor was not concerned about the nitrates in cold cuts, she is more concerned about listeria. So she told me as long as I heat up the cold cuts it's ok to have them, any kind that I want. She also told me that if I do want them and I don't want them heated up go to a reputable deli and also try to order one that is a recently opened package.

I've been pretty much avoiding cold cuts but I do have them from time to time and I mostly have them toasted or heated up to avoid any problems.

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

My dr was never concerned about nitrates - they were concerned about listeria - which is why they tell you to avoid cold cuts in general - some drs okay cold cuts if you heat them in the microwave for a certain amount of time. I just avoided them. Some people I know eat them anyway b.c they feel the risk is worth it to them. You have to do what you are comfortable with.

Message edited 5/14/2008 9:16:51 AM.

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

My Dr never said anything about not eating cold cuts, hot dogs or bacon...neither did the Dr I used when I was pregnant w/Hayley.

I eat them once in awhile...and I never heat the coldcuts ..that does not sound appitizing to me

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

I get boars head with is preservative free, I made them give me an unopened package to read the ingreadients, and there are no nitrates int eh oven gold chicken.

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

One of the dangers with cold cuts is listeria. Unless they are heated they harbor listeria. A normal immune system can fight the bacteria but when we're pregnant our immune system is weaker and you're more likely to get sick from the bacteria. The FDA recommends you do not eat cold cuts unless you heat them. My OB agrees.

Click here and scroll down to the "don't eat" section.... FDA Pregnancy Safe Eats List

Re: HELP confused about nitrates

so I should still nook the boars head chicken?

--about to go eat lunch now

Message edited 5/14/2008 1:00:46 PM.