Italian cuisine

Spaghetti carbonara

Spaghetti with egg, pecorino cheese and crisp guanciale (pork cheek); the egg is thickened only by the heat of the pasta.

With care: in a safer version

Ingredients

Hot pasta is tossed with the guanciale, then the egg and cheese mixture is stirred in off the heat.

The traditional recipe may use raw or lightly cooked egg. Use pasteurised eggs or heat the sauce until it steams.
Avoid dry-cured or cold-smoked sausage and ham with low immunity, or heat them in the dish until steaming.

The egg is not fully cooked. Safer: use pasteurised eggs, or heat the sauce gently until steaming and thickened.

Your diet during treatment is agreed with your doctor. Sample 7-day menu for the treatment period →

Best eaten straight after cooking. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and eat within a day.

Better made fresh; if reheating, heat until steaming.

Low appetite. Gives a lot of energy and protein in a small portion — can help when appetite is low.
Weight loss. Energy-dense and easy to enrich (oil, cheese, yoghurt) — can help with weight loss.

These are general observations: what suits you can change from day to day.

Before treatmentmay suit
During a coursemay suit
Low counts (neutropenia)Only in the safer version and if your team agreesmay suit
Between coursesmay suit
After treatmentmay suit

Phase notes are general. During low counts, follow only your care team’s food rules.

Heart disease, Obesity, Liver disease, Stomach and gut. Can be fatty. With heart, liver or digestive disease, or excess weight, discuss fat content and portions with your team.
High blood pressure, Heart disease, Kidney disease. Often salty (stock, salty cheese, sausage, pickles). With high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, discuss salt limits with your team.
Heart disease, High blood pressure, Kidney disease. Contains processed meat (sausage, bacon, ham). With heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney disease, discuss it with your team.
Autoimmune disease, Stomach and gut. Contains wheat (gluten). With coeliac disease and some autoimmune conditions, discuss it with your team.

Nutrition figures from a reliable source have not been added for this dish yet.

Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.