If you have a weakened immune system, avoiding certain foods is crucial to prevent serious health risks. According to Parade, here are five foods you should stay away from:
- Soft Serve Ice Cream: The machines that make soft serve ice cream can be hard to clean properly, which means they might harbor harmful bacteria like listeria. This bacteria can survive in freezing temperatures, making soft serve a riskier choice for those with weakened immune systems.
- Raw or Undercooked Meat, Poultry, and Seafood: Foods like beef, chicken, and fish need to be cooked thoroughly to kill harmful pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella. Undercooked meat can lead to severe food poisoning, causing symptoms like diarrhea and stomach cramps.
- Raw Milk: Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk hasn’t been heated to kill bacteria. This means it can carry germs like salmonella and E. coli, which can cause serious illness, especially in those with weakened immune systems.
- Raw or Undercooked Eggs: Eggs that are not fully cooked can contain salmonella, a bacteria that causes food poisoning. Foods like raw cookie dough or undercooked eggs should be avoided. Eggs should be cooked until both the yolk and whites are firm to ensure they are safe to eat.
- Unpasteurized Juices: Freshly squeezed or unpasteurized juices can contain harmful bacteria like listeria and E. coli. Always check labels to ensure the juice has been pasteurized, which helps kill these harmful pathogens.
Parade highlights that while these foods can be risky, taking these precautions can help protect those with weakened immune systems from serious health issues.
https://parade.com/health/foods-to-avoid-if-youre-immunocompromised-according-to-food-safety-experts