Mmm...Peanut Butter

At the start of my pregnancy, I received a long list from my doctor of all the foods I was now banned from enjoying. The expected items were on there - sushi, caffeine, alcohol - but some unexpected items were also on there, including a major shocker: deli meat. Supposedly, deli meat can easily be contaminated with listeria, which can 'cross the placenta' to Baby Labutta and do a whole lot of damage.

I've spoken to a lot of other pregnant and formerly-pregnant women and not all of them have been banned from enjoying deli meat. Initially, I ignored the ban and continued to make turkey and swiss sandwiches for lunch . However, two things happened that officially ended my turkey days. First, I mentioned to my doctor that I was still eating deli meat, and she gave me a look as if I had just said I was eating razor blades for lunch. Not good. Second, during my vacation in Canada, the country just happened to have a massive outbreak of listeriosis, and a widespread recall of a major label's brand of deli meat was conducted. Really not good.

Not to worry; I found a great alternative in peanut butter and jelly. I would estimate that I have a PB&J sandwich for lunch at least 4 times a week. Jif and Smuckers...yum. Unfortunately, I'm now reading about a massive recall of peanut butter products in the U.S. due to salmonella contamination. I've heard that salmonella is also bad for an unborn child, so I've been frantically reading every article on the topic to make sure my Jif is safe. So far, it appears so and I hope it continues to be so. I've already lost my turkey, and I don't know what I'll do if I lose my peanut butter, too.