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USA: Cuisine

American cuisine is varied: burgers and barbecue, Southern cooking, Tex-Mex, seafood and many immigrant cuisines.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, an empty counter.
Figure 1.Diner — USA: Cuisine

01Short answer

During leukaemia treatment, the main risks are raw and undercooked dishes, unpasteurised products and ready meals kept too long. The rules in sections “Handwashing: the simplest protection” to “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” apply here too: wash your hands, cook meat and eggs through, avoid raw seafood and choose only pasteurised dairy. The FDA food safety guide for at-risk groups lists products typical of the USA. Check with your team which rules apply to you.

02Simple explanation

Cook: thoroughly.

Pasteurised: check.

Restaurants: with care.

03Scientific explanation

Temperature: poultry 165°F (74°C), ground meat 160°F (71°C), whole cuts 145°F (63°C) with a rest, as in “Meat and poultry: safe cooking and temperatures”.

Label: look for the word “pasteurized” on milk, cheese and juice.

04What happens in the body?

Diner

At breakfast, order eggs cooked through.

Holiday table

Check the turkey with a thermometer.

On a dark navy background, a holiday table.
Figure 2.Table — USA: Cuisine

Grill

Burgers “well done”.

On a dark navy background, a burger and thermometer.
Figure 3.Thermometer — USA: Cuisine

05A safe American table

Four steps.

Hands — Wash them.1HandsWash them.
Cooking — Thermometer.2CookingThermometer.
Swap — Raw for cooked.3SwapRaw for cooked.
Leftovers — Chill quickly.4LeftoversChill quickly.
SafeLower risk.
Against infectionThe food route is protected.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
DinerAt breakfast, order eggs cooked through.
Holiday tableCheck the turkey with a thermometer.
GrillBurgers “well done”.

07Key terms

Well done
Cooked all the way through.
Pasteurized
Heat-treated to kill germs.
Leftovers
Food saved for later.
Food thermometer
A probe that checks internal temperature.

08Key points

  • Wash your hands before eating.
  • Buy a food thermometer.
  • Avoid raw seafood.
  • Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
  • Ask how food is cooked in restaurants.

09Frequently asked questions

Is fast food OK?

Freshly cooked hot food is often lower risk; talk to your team.

Are buffets OK?

Food left out for long is risky; better avoided.

Sushi?

Avoid sushi with raw fish; ask for cooked options.

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 fast food OK?

  2. Are buffets OK?

  3. Sushi?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  4. U.S. Department of Agriculture / HHS. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  5. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  6. American Society of Hematology (ASH). Information for patients
  7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Drugs
  8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Oncology (cancer) / hematologic malignancies approval notifications
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Expanded access
  10. HealthCare.gov. Appealing a health plan decision
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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