Sometimes pregnancy cravings are funny and it might only take a commercial on TV to make you want to “Snap into some Slim Jims”. But is that a craving you should give in to, or avoid? Your gut is probably telling you what you already know, that Slim Jims aren’t good for you, but that might make you crave it even more.
Slim Jims are pretty much not very good for you on every level. You can’t really justify it as a protein source, because it is low grade ingredients on all counts, with more preservatives in it than anything else. This should be a time when you take the best care of yourself, to ensure that everything goes smoothly with your pregnancy, and also so you give your baby the absolute best start in life.
So while you may really want pickles and ice cream, and things like Slim Jims, learn to overcome these cravings by substituting other less offensive foods, and just kick the habit cold turkey if you’re used to eating junk foods and things that aren’t really nutritionally sound.
Can I Eat Slim Jims While Pregnant? Answer: Not Recommended
Even though beef is listed as the number one ingredient, and therefore the most abundant ingredient of Slim Jims you have to question what sort of quality of beef this is, and where does it come from. It’s most likely not from the best cuts of beef, or from an organic farm. What would be the point since they’re just going to pulverize the heck out of it, dehydrate it, and form it into a string?
The next ingredient after that is corn syrup of all things. So basically it’s low-grade beef and sugar. While this is probably causing your taste buds to crave it even more, you have to force yourself to avoid it. The next ingredients after that are things like
Fat, Fat, and More Fat
There’s also a ton of fat in it. And while maybe you think that it’s naturally to put on weight when you’re pregnant, it’s not natural to get fat while you’re pregnant. You’ll gain weight of course because there’s a baby growing inside you, but you don’t necessarily have to gain a bunch of additional weight on top of the baby weight. You also don’t have to start eating a bunch of fatty foods because you think you have a free pass to eat whatever you want.
In actuality now is more important than ever to eat healthy foods, and watch your balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. If you’ve never followed a healthy eating plan, or paid much attention to the foods you eat, sit down with your doctor and map out a plan of foods you should eat, including some foods that are OK to satisfy your craving. You can bet Slim Jims won’t be on this list.
Sodium Concerns
One serving of Slim Jims will account for 20% of your sodium intake for the day. The problem with this is that you probably won’t stop at just one serving. The other problem is that the sodium in it is not from natural sea salt, but from the industrial grade salt produced by giant food corporations. This is not healthy for you like natural sea salt is, and should not really be entering your body during this time.
A high sodium intake can lead to lots of health complications, such as an increase in blood pressure if you are sensitive to it. You might not realize it, but on one level you are starting your baby off right now on a molecular level. This is going to be the type of foods they turn to later on in life, and won’t be able to explain why. They might not get inexplainable Slim Jim cravings when they’re adults, but they might be drawn to high fat, high sodium foods instead of more healthy choices.
Delay the Cravings
It may sound darn near impossible but try to wait until you’re done breastfeeding to indulge in these sort of cravings. It’s best for your baby, and you really have to be selfless at this time and think about what’s best for them rather than your own temporary satisfaction.
