We just found out that we're pregnant for the first time, (!!) I think I'm roughly 6-weeks along. I've read a few things online of what to eat and what not to eat and I'm having a hard time figuring out lunch!
I used to always pack a turkey or ham sandwich or a microwave meal, a la lean cuisine. But, everywhere says no lunch meat!?
Any suggestions? Are microwave meals a no-no?
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
First, CONGRATS! 
I've been eating microwaved Lean Cuisines this entire time (28w now), and never heard they were a no-no. Not the healthiest things, for sure, but when I'm so exhausted that I can't be bothered to put together a lunch, they are a lifesaver. I usually add in a yogurt with it and a granola bar.
cherry / 128 posts
@Bookworm: Thank you!!! We're ecstatic! I've never heard that Lean Cuisines or anything like that were bad, just wanted to make sure that was right! They certainly are the easiest to pack!
There are so many do's and don'ts it's hard to decipher which ones are really valid and which ones are just being overly cautious.
cherry / 235 posts
I always just had frozen meals, and I've never heard they were bad for you either. Really, my doctor just told me to limit myself to 1 can of tuna per week and to avoid unpasteurized cheeses.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
Congratulations!! I didn't eat lunchmeat while pregnant but I did eat microwave meals. I also had lots of leftovers (when I could stomach them) and when I didn't have leftovers, I was bad and I ate out. A lot.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
@walnutems: Oh, I totally understand! And to be honest, I totally kept eating lunch meat once every week or so. Same with soft-serve ice cream and cookie dough 
I figure the things that *really* are harmful, like alcohol and tobacco, were the things I should stress out about being around, not my favorite lunch meat Pregnancy is stressful enough without worrying about everything you put in your mouth, so make sure to cut yourself some slack!!
cherry / 128 posts
@Bookworm: You're totally right. It's so daunting at first to see these lists but I just need to keep remembering when we were babies and our parents were babies they would do FAR worse than eat a turkey sandwich and we all turned out okay! haha.
@mediagirl: Maybe I should actually start cooking dinner so we have leftovers, haha! Sound the bad wife alarm!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
@walnutems: oh yeah. I didn't cook for like 20 weeks... and then I didn't cook for the last 10. Haha!!
pear / 1563 posts
I've eaten mostly reheated leftovers for lunch. First tri with food aversions there were a lot of bagels and egg and cheese sandwiches. If I'm getting takeout lunch I like salads or Chipotle.
I agree with @Bookworm: that if you're comfortable doing so, it helps to take a realistic approach to the food restrictions, especially since there is so much conflicting information.
Congrats!
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
I had the same problem trying to figure out what to eat for lunch, too! (I used to have a lot of ham or turkey sandwiches). The microwave meals are fine. I normally eat PB&J or egg salad sandwiches now. Congrats!!
grapefruit / 4823 posts
i would eat leftovers or frozen meals. and had the occasional sub/sandwich.... :o)
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
Congrats! I'm 15 weeks and I have stayed away from lunchmeat so far, as much as it pains me. I do a lot of grilled chicken wraps from my company's cafeteria, but they would be easy to make at home!
pomelo / 5228 posts
My doctor told me that the only problem with lunch meat is that some of it is cured and not cooked. So things like sliced turkey and chicken would be fine because it is completely cooked before slicing.
cherry / 128 posts
@lawbee11: I kept telling myself I was being silly and surely it wasn't that hard to think of lunches, glad I'm not the only one! I packed a pbj for lunch today, haha.
@Mrs.Someone: That's so interesting! It makes a lot of sense.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
First off, congrats!! I think the frowned upon fact about microwave meals is that they contain a lot of sodium, otherwise. It's "safe" to eat. Despite the well published list of prohibited food, I've eaten everything on there and I'm currently 25 weeks. I don't go overboard, but everything in moderation right? The only thing I've steered clear of is high mercury fish, so that means I'm still eating sashimi, soft serve, etc. For lunch meat, just warm it up and you'll be fine!
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
Leftovers, salad, or turkey that I heated that morning for a sandwich.
pomegranate / 3331 posts
I've been having salads with chicken or shrimp, and i pack about 75 snacks because i feel the need to eat about once every 10 minutes, haha. If i'm not feeling the salad, PB&J is my go-to! Sometimes i'll make a chicken and cheese wrap. I was never a big deli meat person though... sushi is way harder for me!
pomelo / 5469 posts
Congrats!!
I have a lot of hummus with pitta bread and veggies for lunch. Besides that, maybe a jacket potato or salad.
GOLD / pomelo / 5737 posts
I ate microwaved meals. In the beginning I ate those single serving soups. (Nausea...) I ate mac n cheese. I ate precooked food from whole foods. I basically ate whatever agreed with me!
I did skip soft cheeses, lunch meats, raw fish, and frozen yogurt though. Except for once with the frozen yogurt.
persimmon / 1343 posts
When I make sandwiches for myself, I heat the meat till it steams in the microwave, and if I order from Subway, I'll have em toast it. But I have also cheated a few times and eaten cold deli sandwiches and had no issue. I also bring Lean Cuisines or canned soup to work or pack things to make a tuna or PBJ sandwich.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
what about something like teriyaki chicken over rice? trader joe's has a really great package of frozen teriyaki chicken... that over brown rice makes for a really quick, easy, and healthy meal! you can prep it the night before and bring it to work the next day.
pomegranate / 3003 posts
I've been packing a lot of salads, mixing up the ingredients a bit. I also do bagels with cream cheese, or hummus, tomatoes, and sprouts.
I still pack sandwiches every now and then - cheese and veggie, marinated tempeh, tuna salad, or plain pb&j.
The key is to include lots of snacks - I bring a variety of cut up fruit and veggies, granola bars, greek yogurt, and hard boiled eggs.
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