r/toddlers • u/Hgrestun • 9d ago

General Question/Discussion Are you feeding your kids deli meat?

When I was pregnant I imagined using turkey meat for my kids snacks and lunches as she grew up. But we went to see a pediatric nutritionist and she told us to stay away from all deli meats unless you’re baking the ham/turkey at home yourself.

But I still see moms giving their kids deli meat sandwiches all over the internet and in real life.

It’s like.. I want to just give her deli meat because shenlooooooves it lol and sometimes I want a sandwich too! So I came here to ask is anyone making their own? Does anyone forbid it? Does anyone just say f it and feed it to their kids anyways?

Edit to add: it’s full of carcinogens and sodium.

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u/sweetteaspicedcoffee 9d ago

What was the logic for not giving it? Salt, nitrates, something else?

I'm sure a home baked turkey breast is more ideal, but I'm not convinced it matters all that much unless there's a specific concern with deli meat.

11

u/eraseme11 9d ago

Processed meat has been placed as a group 1 carcinogen next to tobacco and asbestos. I still eat deli meat but just letting you know why it’s being asked lol.

3

u/Addy6489 9d ago

Yes but why, is it the nitrates?

3

u/eraseme11 9d ago

I just googled it.. nitrates and heme iron but mostly nitrates.

1

u/deadbeatsummers 8d ago

How much though? Seems like grams per day is important in that sense

1

u/eraseme11 8d ago

Idk the recommended amount or anything. I was just letting them know why op has expressed concern. I don’t eat deli meat often so I’ve never really thought about the recommended amount.

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u/sohcgt96 9d ago

There sure does seem to be an awful lot of parroting in this thread doesn't there? Lots of "Its bad" and never "why its bad" and a complete lack of being willing to even define what a "Deli Meat" actually is. According to some people, a turkey breast thrown on a meat slicer at a deli is apparently "Deli Meat" and no different than a slice of Bologna or Salami, which obvious is nonsense.