← Back
Countries

United Kingdom: Local food for patients

During treatment, appetite, taste and digestion can change. British cooking has many soft, simple dishes that may suit this period.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, warm porridge.
Figure 1.Porridge — United Kingdom: Local food for patients

01Short answer

With nausea, mouth sores or poor appetite, many people find simple, warm and soft food easier. The British table offers such dishes: porridge made with pasteurised milk, chicken soup, mashed potato, toast, rice pudding, warm custard and pasteurised yoghurt. This is not a personal diet; your dietitian and doctor give the specific eating plan.

02Simple explanation

Soft: for mouth sores.

Simple: for nausea.

Little and often.

03Scientific explanation

Side effects: the NCI notes that eating problems are common during chemotherapy and a dietitian can help.

Safety: the WHO five keys apply to home cooking too.

04What happens in the body?

Warm porridge

Porridge is soft; the milk should be pasteurised.

Soft and sweet

Freshly made custard and rice pudding can be eaten warm or cold.

On a dark navy background, custard and pudding.
Figure 2.Custard — United Kingdom: Local food for patients

A light lunch

Chicken soup, toast and mash are a light choice with nausea.

On a dark navy background, soup and toast.
Figure 3.Soup and toast — United Kingdom: Local food for patients

05On hard days

Four steps.

Nausea — Simple food.1NauseaSimple food.
Mouth sores — Soft food.2Mouth soresSoft food.
Little and often — Frequent.3Little and oftenFrequent.
Dietitian — A plan.4DietitianA plan.
EnergyEating continues.
ComfortThe stomach is not overloaded.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Warm porridgePorridge is soft; the milk should be pasteurised.
Soft and sweetFreshly made custard and rice pudding can be eaten warm or cold.
A light lunchChicken soup, toast and mash are a light choice with nausea.

07Key terms

Porridge
Oat porridge.
Custard
Sweet milk sauce.
Rice pudding
Baked rice in milk.
Mash
Mashed potato.

08Key points

  • Eat little and often.
  • Choose soft food.
  • Pick pasteurised dairy.
  • Talk to a dietitian.
  • Report weight loss.

09Frequently asked questions

Is ready-made custard allowed?

Usually yes, in a sealed pasteurised pack and within its date.

Has your taste changed?

This is common; a dietitian can suggest ideas.

Nutrition drinks?

Only if a dietitian or doctor recommends them.

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 ready-made custard allowed?

  2. Has your taste changed?

  3. Nutrition drinks?

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. Official website of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Decree on the establishment of the national haematology centre, 23 December 2019 (in Azerbaijani)
  7. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (WHO). Azerbaijan: health system information and resources
  8. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today
  9. GOV.UK (FCDO). Azerbaijan travel advice: health
  10. Cancer.Net (ASCO). The Oncology Team
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →