Avocado Cheddar Sandwich: Who Needs a Deli When You Can Have This?

Most of us know that deli meats are a big no-no during pregnancy: they carry a rare but real risk of listeria, which can lead to miscarriage or may cross the placenta and infect your baby (leading to potentially life-threatening infection or blood poisoning). Also, processed meats are just not really good for anyone, pregnant or not. 

But there's something about being told you can't have something that makes you totally want it more than anything else on earth! So, throughout my pregnancy I thought a lot (an awful lot, truth be told) about having a turkey sandwich from a deli, with all the fixin's. I didn't.

Instead I made a sandwich that was super healthful and super satisfying. Yes, it gave me a few servings of fruits and veggies in one easy meal and—almost as importantly—it fulfilled that craving for a big, salty, kind of gooey, mile-high Dagwood-style sandwich. Sometimes the best way to defeat a craving is to give in, even if it's a slight variation.

This was my favorite sandwich when I was pregnant and continues to be a go-to when I've gotta have something easy and yummy and filling! The centerpiece of this sammie is the avocado; we've discussed before that this is one of the most perfect foods around and is especially great for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. The other ingredients are no nutritional slouches, either. This lunch will provide you with omega-3s, fiber, protein, calcium, lycopene, and  folate—all vital for good health!

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole wheat bread, preferably sprouted
• 1/2 avocado
• thinly-sliced red onion
• a slice or two (about an ounce) of extra sharp cheddar*
• couple of slices of tomato
• romaine lettuce, about 3 large leaves
• honey mustard
• salt and pepper

*Don't eat dairy? Try sprinkling on some nutritional yeast.

Toast the bread and slather on some honey mustard. Top with avocado. I like to slice my avocado and then just mash it slightly, so it adheres to the bread a bit. Sprinkle on a little sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper.

Add onions...

...and the cheese, tomatoes, plus all that lettuce!

Get ready for a mouthful of deliciousness!

YUM.

What did you crave during your pregnancy?