Betr Team

Handling Food Safely During Cancer Treatment

<i>NOTE: The information provided is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.</i>

It is important to handle food safely during cancer treatment. Cancer and cancer treatment can weaken your immune system and make you more prone to infection. This includes infection from foods. The following tips are helpful ways to keep your food safe.

Keep surfaces that come into contact with food clean.

Keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and cold foods cold (below 40°F).

Avoid cross-contaminating raw meats and vegetables. Store raw meat on the lowest shelf to avoid juices contaminating other foods.

Wash raw fruits and vegetables well before eating.

Avoid high risk foods like undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish and unpasteurized milk or cheese.

Avoid high risk foods like sushi, ceviche, raw bean and alfalfa sprouts, foods from street vendors, and self-serve buffets.

Thaw frozen meats in the refrigerator and not on the counter.

- Wash your hands before eating.
- Keep surfaces that come into contact with food clean.
- Keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and cold foods cold (below 40°F).
- Avoid cross-contaminating raw meats and vegetables. Store raw meat on the lowest shelf to avoid juices contaminating other foods.
- Wash raw fruits and vegetables well before eating.
- Avoid high risk foods like undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish and unpasteurized milk or cheese.
- Avoid high risk foods like sushi, ceviche, raw bean and alfalfa sprouts, foods from street vendors, and self-serve buffets.
- Thaw frozen meats in the refrigerator and not on the counter.
- Refrigerate foods promptly after eating.

If you don’t feel hungry or feel full too quickly:

Eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 big meals.

Eat with friends or family or watch television while eating to take your mind off your lack of appetite.

Keep an eating and drinking schedule and set an alarm to remind you to eat.

Keep snacks next to you during chemotherapy or while in bed.

Make mealtime as pleasant as possible. One idea is to set the table, use nice plates, and have flowers as a centerpiece.

- Eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 big meals.
- Eat with friends or family or watch television while eating to take your mind off your lack of appetite.
- Keep an eating and drinking schedule and set an alarm to remind you to eat.
- Keep snacks next to you during chemotherapy or while in bed.
- Make mealtime as pleasant as possible. One idea is to set the table, use nice plates, and have flowers as a centerpiece.