You are absolutely correct–all lunch meats are a no-no during pregnancy due to the listeria risk. I should have specified that the turkey in the sandwich should be roasted turkey.

I’m so thrilled that you liked Feed the Belly! And best of luck on your journey to motherhood.

Best regards,
Frances

my mother was vegetarian before and during her pregnancy with me and was a vegetarian all the time she breastfed me also. i was a fat and healthy vegetarian baby and am now a slim and healthy vegetarian 28 year old. i am above average height and have never broken a bone.

i feel totally comfortable being a vegetarian during pregnancy (when it happens) and bringing up my kids as vegetarians also.

i absolutely acknowledge that it is vital to eat a balanced diet, but just because you eat meat, it does not mean that you have a balanced diet. being brought up as a vegetarian has perhaps meant that i’m in fact more aware of how to eat healthily because you’re so often told that you must be unwell. i’ve had to learn to defend my position which has meant a lot of research on top of what my mother taught me.

However, I did want to comment on your recommendation that a pregnant woman get her extra 300 calories from “half a turkey sandwich.” This advice flies directly against the admonition that pregnant women avoid deli meats—one which you support in the book.