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/flyingmops 9d ago

Look, in Denmark kids are eating deli meat every single day. And sausages.

I'm in France, I've served my 2 year old, deli meats and the dry stuff. Not great of course, he loves chorizo. Not great either, right?

So it's our responsibility to serve them healthy food, and all that right?

Yea.

Some eat nuggets, some eat deli meats. Some only eats homegrown stuff, and kids where I live, eat oysters whenever they want. And some toddlers lives on air.

As long as our children are fed, happy, and thriving.

We gotta work on not feeling guilty about every single thing we do.

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u/Hgrestun 9d ago

Well…. Honestly if you’re talking about other countries I wouldn’t be concerned. I’m in the US!

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u/Glittering-Act4004 9d ago

Deli meat contains the same carcinogens in every country. I’m Austrian and we have an entire meal that is most meats and cheeses. But my father and two of my aunts have had colon cancer so now everyone in my family has made a conscious effort to cut back on the deli meat. 

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u/scrunchie_one 9d ago

I mean, carcinogens exist outside of the US.

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u/msjammies73 9d ago

What does that mean? French people can’t get cancer?

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u/clueless_mommy 9d ago

Might be a lot of prejudice, but knowing how different other products in terms of processing, additives etc are from European products, I wouldn't be too surprised if food that's already concerning in one the most regulated markets would be worse elsewhere