Dietitians

Collage of imaages. First image features dietitian and patient. Second image is of selection of healthy food. Third image is a dietitian.

Food safety advice

Cancer treatment can make you more prone to illnesses such as food poisoning. The following advice will help prevent you becoming unwell:

Buying food

 

  • Buy foods in small, individual packets. Avoid large packets that will be open for longer and increase the chance of bacteria contaminating them.

 

  • Always check ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates on packaging.

Storing food

 

  • Store raw or defrosting meat or fish at the bottom of the fridge in a covered container to stop it dripping or leaking into the fridge.

 

  • Never refreeze thawed food.

Preparing food

 

  • Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before preparing food.

 

  • Keep pets away from work surfaces, food and your dishes.

 

  • Make sure any cloths or sponges are regularly bleached, disinfected or changed.

 

  • Avoid cross-contamination of food by changing or washing chopping boards and utensils between raw and cooked food.

 

  • Disinfect work surfaces regularly.

 

  • Wash fruit and vegetables before eating.

 

  • Wash the roof and inside of your microwave regularly.

 

  • Thaw meat and poultry in the fridge and not at room temperature as bacteria grow quickly at room temperature.

Cooking and reheating

 

  • Cook all food thoroughly and make sure it is piping hot all the way through.

 

  • Do not reheat cooked rice. Eat rice as soon as it is cooked.

 

  • Eat reheated food within 24 hours of preparing or defrosting it. Do not reheat food more than once.

 

There is no longer any evidence to support the use of neutropenic diets if your white blood count is low. However it is particularly important to follow the food safety advice above to prevent food poisoning.

For more tips, click here to watch our video on food safety advice.