Can you eat Jimmy John’s while pregnant?

In this brief guide we will address the query “can you eat jimmy johns while pregnant?”

We will also address the safe foods for pregnant women at jimmy john’s, get to look at the jimmy john’s menu, the benefits of eating at jimmy john’s and foods to avoid at jimmy john’s while pregnant. 

Can you eat jimmy johns while pregnant? 

Yes, you can eat at jimmy johns while pregnant. It is recommended to look at the ingredients list and the nutritional information provided by the restaurant to make the correct choices.

The nutritional profile of the many options vary and pregnants should avoid foods containing high amounts of saturated fats and added sugars, as well as raw ingredients, such as salads (1,7).

What are the benefits of eating Jimmy John’s during pregnancy?

The benefits of eating at Jimmy John’s during pregnancy is the diversity of ingredients and their nutrients. Jimmy John´s options contain lean meats, such as turkey meat, which contain low levels of saturated fat.

The ingestion of meat is recommended during pregnancy. The avoidance of meat can lead to inadequate protein ingestion and low weight at birth (8). Red meat is an important source of iron, which is necessary to prevent anemia and preterm birth (3).

Parmesan cheese, although high in fat, is a source of proteins, calcium and vitamin D. According to studies, a diet rich in dairy products, with 2 or more servings per day can reduce the risk of death rates not related to cardiovascular diseases (4).

The ingestion of calcium can reduce the risk of preeclampsia, which is a disease characterized by the higher blood pressure during pregnancy (2). VItamin D can improve mineral bone and reduce the risks of osteoporosis (4).

What are the risks of eating Jimmy John’s during pregnancy?

The risks of eating at Jimmy John´s during pregnancy are related to the possibility of having a foodborne disease due to the consumption of contaminated food ingredients.

In special raw ingredients, such as salads and uncooked fruits may carry pathogens, which are a risk for pregnants. 

Some pathogens of special concern to pregnant women are Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma gondii, Brucella species, Salmonella species and Campylobacter jejuni. The negative effects may concern both mother and child, as some of the possible risks are premature labor and miscarriage (1). 

In addition, some options contain high amounts of saturated fats and added sugars. An example is the Spicy East Coast Italian, which contains double salami and 48 g of fats, from which 17 g are saturated fats (2).

The chocolate brownie contains 33 g of sugars per serving (2), which is considered high and not healthy (6).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends a diet low in saturated fats and low added sugars during pregnancy.

Diets high in unhealthy fats, sugars and calories can lead to overweight and obesity (5), which during pregnancy are related to higher risks of maternal and child complications (3).

Besides, options that contain peepers and other spicy foods should also be avoided during pregnancy, as they increase the risks of gastroesophageal reflux (GRED) (9).

Which foods should be chosen and which foods should be avoided at Jimmy John’s when pregnant?

The options at Jimmy John´s to be avoided are the ones containing high amounts of saturated fats and high amounts of sugars (7). 

Some good options are:

  • Sandwiches containing lean meat, such as turkey
  • Options containing avocado, which is a source of unsaturated fatty acids and phytochemicals, besides being rich in B vitamins (8)
  • Tuna sandwich, as tuna is recommended source of iodine, which is essential during pregnancy for the development of the brain of the unborn child (7)
  • Options containing hard cheese, due to the presence of calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for the bone health of both mother and child (4)

Some bad options are:

  • Drinks and desserts containing high amounts of sugars (3,7)
  • Options containing raw vegetables and salad, due to the risk of pathogens (1)
  • Meats containing high levels of saturated fats (3,7)
  • Spicy foods, which increase the risks of gastroesophageal disease (9)

The bottom line

It is ok for pregnant women to eat at jimmy john’s, however care should be taken since jimmy john’s mostly offer cold sandwiches due to their dedication to speed. Cold sandwiches have a higher risk of listeria contamination (1).

Conclusion 

In this brief guide we have addressed the query “can you eat jimmy johns while pregnant?”

We will also address the safe foods for pregnant women at jimmy john’s, get to look at the jimmy john’s menu, the benefits of eating at jimmy john’s and foods to avoid at jimmy john’s while pregnant. 

Citations 

  1. Dean, J., and P. Kendall. Food safety during pregnancy. Food and nutrition series. Food safety; no. 9.372, 2004.
  2. Jimmy John´s Nutrition Guide.   
  3. Jackson, A. A., and S. M. Robinson. Dietary guidelines for pregnancy: a review of current evidence. Public Health Nutr, 2001, 4.
  4. Givens, D. I. MILK Symposium review: The importance of milk and dairy foods in the diets of infants, adolescents, pregnant women, adults, and the elderly. J dairy sci, 2020, 103, 9681-9699.  
  5. Mackay, Sally, et al. Energy, Sodium, Sugar and Saturated Fat Content of New Zealand Fast-Food Products and Meal Combos in 2020. Nutrients, 2021, 13, 4010.  
  6. US Food and Drug Administration. Daily Value on the New Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels.
  7. Build a Healthy Eating Routine When You’re Pregnant or Breastfeeding. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  8. Ramos-Aguilar, Ana L., et al. The importance of the bioactive compounds of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill) on human health. Biotecnia, 2019, 21, 154-162.
  9. Ramya, R. S., et al. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in pregnancy: a longitudinal study. Tropical Gastroenterol, 2015, 35, 168-172.

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