
Last Thursday I presented a webinar on Food Safety & Cancer. First of all, I want to thank everyone who registered and attended and asked such great questions!
I want to make sure all my readers have the link for the recording, both for video and audio only. You can find a link to the recording at cancerdietitian.com/foodsafety.

Also I put the audio recording on the Cancer Dietitian Podcast so you can listen if you don’t care to see the slides while I’m talking!
If you would like to look over the slides, you can find them here.

Here is the list of resources that I suggested at the end of the webinar:
- Food safety for transplant recipients: https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/food-safety-transplant-recipients
- Coronavirus and Cancer Resources for Survivors: https://www.canceradvocacy.org/blog/coronavirus-cancer-resources-for-survivors/
- How to Navigate Cancer in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic from Cure Magazine: https://www.curetoday.com/articles/how-to-navigate-cancer-in-the-wake-of-the-covid19-pandemic
- COVID-19 Food Safety Resources: https://foodsafety.ces.ncsu.edu/covid-19-resources/
KEY POINT: Food Safety Starts at Home!

What Cancer Patients & Survivors Are Considered Immune Compromised?

Regarding COVID-19 and Risk

Also – somehow I didn’t know how to find the questions that were submitted ahead. I thought it was odd that no one submitted questions and I just found them after downloading the registration list!
I decided to just include them here with answers and/or links to where you can find my responses.
Q&A for Julie
- What are the best foods for a strong immune system?
Find my info here: cancerdietitian.com/immunity, and also I did an interview last week on this topic. Find it here: https://hubs.ly/H0plSWF0
In addition, another oncology dietitian covered it on her blog here: https://survivorstable.com/2020/04/05/can-you-boost-your-immune-system-for-the-coronavirus/ - Red meat in moderation? How much dairy is too much?
Our rec on red meat (per www.aicr.org) is to have no more than 18oz a week. Dairy rec is 2-3 servings a day. A serving is 1 cup of milk or yogurt or 1 oz of cheese. - Can cancer survive in an alkaline state? If not how do I get my body in an alkaline state and keep it there?
Alkaline is not a state you can put your body in, and you wouldn’t want to because you would not be able to live that way! It’s a myth that it can affect cancer growth in the human body. Read more here:
https://cancerdietitian.com/2011/10/acidalkaline-diet-for-cancer-the-evidence-or-lack-of.html
Listen to me discuss it on my podcast here:
https://cancerdietitian.com/2019/01/3-the-alkaline-diet-and-cancer.html
Alkaline diet and cancer handout download available for sale on my website: https://cancerdietitian.com/product/acid-alkaline-diet - My clinic has a food pantry. What would be the best way to distribute the food? Premade packages? Grab and Go?
I would suggest to get a variety as much as possible and to place them out for pick up only. I like the idea of premade packages, or maybe a menu of 3 different premade options they can choose from? Glad you are offering that!! - I like to shop groceries myself so can I wear a mask and put on gloves for protection? Keep a distance and be quick. Carl will not allow me to go inside the store. I understand his good intentions.
I prefer people to stay out of the grocery as much as possible. Shop not very often, have a list and get in and out quickly! I order delivery, which I recognize sends my shopper into the store. For immune compromised I would recommend having someone else shop that can drop the groceries on your porch. I would NOT have someone you live with to be the shopper. I.E. Carl doesn’t get to go shop either!! He can just as easily breathe in what you would if you were in the store. He would then bring it back to you. Your housemate needs to stay out of the store too, so that they don’t bring anything back into the house. And follow the same precautions you would if you went. - Healthy eating for cancer patients in remission –
Check out cancerdietitian.com/survivor diet or my podcast episode here: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/cancerdietitian/id/12767888 or webinar here: https://cancerdietitian.com/2018/02/plant-based-eating-cancer-survivors-dos-donts-webinar-recording.html - Do you recommend probiotics supplements?
Not unless you have some sort of bacterial infection that your doctor recommends it for. - covid-19 concerns 🙂.
Blog posts here! Find my blogs here: Buying Groceries in a Pandemic: Don’t Stress Over That Video!! – https://cancerdietitian.com/2020/03/buying-groceries-in-a-pandemic-dont-stress-over-that-video.html - Cancer survivor tips on staying well –
Be sure to get good nutrition, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and find ways to exercise your brain! I have been sharing ideas via our agency website. Check out these pages:
www.cancerservicesonline.org/nutrition
www.cancerservicesonline.org/exercise
www.cancerservicesonline.org/learn - What are good foods or vitamins to build energy?
Generally, a good overall diet is recommended. And adequate sleep and also regular physical activity! No specific foods, other than variety, moderation and balance! - Do you have the latest recommendations on what temperature to cook meat?
Yes – check out webinar for info! - Can you please share with me food diet for cancer patient
Check out cancerdietitian.com/survivor diet or my podcast episode here: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/cancerdietitian/id/12767888 or webinar here: https://cancerdietitian.com/2018/02/plant-based-eating-cancer-survivors-dos-donts-webinar-recording.html - What is the healthiest way to clean food after bringing home from the store even organic?
Most food just needs rinsing with water. No science based bodies recommend wiping food with disinfectants or wipes. Find my blog here: Buying Groceries in a Pandemic: Don’t Stress Over That Video!! – https://cancerdietitian.com/2020/03/buying-groceries-in-a-pandemic-dont-stress-over-that-video.html
I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have other questions!
– Julie

Thanks Julie for your dedication and hard work! I’m an oncology dietitian as well and I love reading the helpful information you provide!! Keep up the great work and stay safe!