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Spectrum Health Offers Tips for Safe and Healthy Holiday Meal Planning

If you or a loved one at your Thanksgiving table is going through cancer treatment, Spectrum Health has tips for you to consider as you plan your celebration.

“People undergoing cancer treatment have compromised immune systems and can easily get sick when exposed to food that hasn’t been handled safely,” said Christy McFadden, RD, an oncology certified dietitian with the Spectrum Health cancer program. “Family members and friends can reduce the risk of a patient getting sick from what they eat by using recommended guidelines.”

The following guidelines are important to consider when serving food:

Foods to Avoid

• Meats and cheeses from the deli counter
• Salads from a salad bar or deli
• “Moldy” and soft cheeses, such as blue cheese, brie, feta
• Unpasteurized milk, dairy foods or juices including apple cider
• Moldy or damaged fruits and vegetables
• Raw foods such as honey, alfalfa sprouts, nuts and seeds
• Cream-filled pastries, cookies, cakes and cream puffs

Food Handling

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before handling any food
• Clean all food preparation surfaces like countertops and tables
• Use different cutting boards, utensils and plates for cooked and raw foods
• Wash all raw fruits and vegetables
• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours
• Check dates on food packages

Cooking Temperatures

• Whole turkey – 180 degrees Fahrenheit
• Leftovers and casseroles – 165 degrees Fahrenheit
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold 
• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or in cold water – never thaw food at room temperature

McFadden says that more guidelines are available at www.foodsafety.gov. Spectrum Health will soon start posting special recipes for cancer patients on Facebook and Pinterest.

“We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving while enjoying their mealtime with family and friends.”
 
Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 183 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 700 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 19,000 employees. The organization provided $204 million in community benefit during its 2012 fiscal year.