dining, out, restaurants, eat
dining out, safe? - Alberta Cancer Board
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Dining Out – Is it Safe?
In general, it is best to avoid restaurants while your neutrophil counts are below 0.5.
If you choose to dine in restaurants, please follow the recommendations below:
· Eat early to avoid crowds.
· Ask that food be prepared fresh in fast food establishments. Ask if fruit juices are pasteurized.
· Due to the uncertainty of the cleanliness of the handler and produce preparation, consumption of raw fruits and vegetables when dining out is not recommended.
· Request single-serving condiment packages. Avoid public self-serve condiment containers.
· Avoid high-risk food sources: salad bars, delicatessens, buffets and smorgasbords, potlucks and sidewalk vendors.
· Check the general condition of the restaurant environment. Are the plates, glasses, utensils, clean? Are the restrooms clean and stocked with soap and paper towels? How the manager and employees maintain the restaurant may be an indication of the amount of pride they take in preparing the food. Inform staff of the importance of safe food handling while you are immunosuppressed.
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Foods to Choose |
Foods to Avoid |
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Hospital Cafeterias |
All foods prepared to order, example: French fries, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, and burgers without lettuce, tomato or onions.
Individually portioned condiments, cheese packages, yogurts. Any bottled or canned beverage. Packaged ice-cream treats.
Baked goods, example, muffins, bagels, donuts, cookies, scones. |
Salads, prepared sandwiches with vegetables, self-serve soft ice cream, self-serve pop machine, yogurt-fruit parfaits. |
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Fast Food |
Freshly made burgers without any vegetables (lettuce, tomato, onions)or creamy dressings; French fries; chicken fingers; baked potato with butter; individually packaged condiments; Softserve ice cream and milkshakes made with flavorings (*ask if machines are cleaned regularly)
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Fresh salads; Milkshakes made with fresh fruit; chili; deli-meat sandwiches or wraps. |
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Family
Restaurants |
Cooked vegetable dishes; baked/cooked/ fried potato; well cooked meats/fish/eggs. Pizza, cooked pasta dishes
Baked desserts, pancakes, waffles, muffins |
All cold salads including potato and pasta; fresh edible garnishes; self-serve soft ice cream, sushi or raw fish, desserts with fresh fruit.
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Corner stores or gas stations
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Cookies, muffins, packaged snacks (example, chips, shelled roasted nuts, crackers, chocolate bars); all bottled or canned beverages.
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Pre-made sandwiches; any hot
ready-to-eat foods such as hot
dogs; soft-serve ice cream; self
serve pop machines and slurpees.
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