← Back
Countries

United Kingdom: Local dishes

This chapter sorts popular British dishes into two groups from a general safety point of view during treatment.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, soup and cottage pie.
Figure 1.Soup and pie — United Kingdom: Local dishes

01Short answer

Usually safer choices: vegetable soup, cottage and shepherd’s pie, slow-cooked stew, a fully cooked roast, freshly fried fish and chips, jacket potatoes, and a breakfast with fully cooked eggs. Risky and usually avoided during neutropenia: raw oysters and other raw shellfish, chilled pâté, soft unpasteurised cheeses, runny eggs (unless your team says otherwise), and ready-made sandwiches and salads that have stood for a long time.

02Simple explanation

Slow-cooked: safer.

Raw oysters: risky.

Runny eggs: ask your team.

03Scientific explanation

Meat: FoodSafety.gov advises people with weakened immunity to cook meat thoroughly.

Shellfish: the FDA advises at-risk groups to avoid raw shellfish.

04What happens in the body?

Everyday choice

Soup and pies are simple and well cooked.

Freshly fried

Eat fish and chips fresh and hot.

On a dark navy background, freshly fried fish.
Figure 2.Fish and chips — United Kingdom: Local dishes

Avoid

Raw oysters and runny eggs are usually not recommended during neutropenia.

On a dark navy background, an egg and oysters behind a line.
Figure 3.Items to avoid — United Kingdom: Local dishes

05Choosing a dish

Four questions.

Fully cooked? — No pink inside.1Fully cooked?No pink inside.
Fresh? — Just out of the fryer.2Fresh?Just out of the fryer.
Raw shellfish? — No.3Raw shellfish?No.
Eggs? — Fully firm.4Eggs?Fully firm.
FlavourFavourite dishes stay.
SafetyRisky ones set apart.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Everyday choiceSoup and pies are simple and well cooked.
Freshly friedEat fish and chips fresh and hot.
AvoidRaw oysters and runny eggs are usually not recommended during neutropenia.

07Key terms

Jacket potato
Baked potato in its skin.
Stew
Slow-cooked meat dish.
Full English
British cooked breakfast.
Oysters
Oysters.

08Key points

  • Cook meat fully.
  • Eat fish and chips hot.
  • No raw oysters.
  • No pâté.
  • Cook eggs until firm.

09Frequently asked questions

Is a Full English allowed?

Usually, if sausages and bacon are fully cooked and eggs are firm; ask your team.

Smoked salmon?

Cold-smoked fish can be risky; ask your team.

Ready-made sandwiches?

During neutropenia it is better to choose freshly cooked hot food.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is a Full English allowed?

  2. Smoked salmon?

  3. Ready-made sandwiches?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food
  2. FoodSafety.gov (U.S.). Food Safety for People with Cancer
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  5. Food Standards Agency. Official website
  6. Leukaemia Care (UK). Leukaemia Care — information and support
  7. American Red Cross. Blood Types Explained – A, B, AB and O
  8. American Cancer Society. Seeking a Second Opinion
  9. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Finding Cancer Care
  10. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Questions Are the Answer
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →