This is the diet to be used when you are neutropenic. It
is important to follow a low bacteria diet until your
immune system returns to normal. You must prepare foods in
such a way that you avoid risk of infection. As your
neutrophils increase your doctor may liberalize your
diet. Talk with the doctor or oncology nurse to keep your
information up to the minute according to your blood
counts.
General Guidelines
- Check
expiration dates on all products before you buy them. Be
sure nothing you buy is past it's expiration
date.
- Wash with soap/cleanser and
hot water before and after touching food:
- counter tops,
- cutting
boards (Wash them in a dishwasher if you have
one.)
- all cooking
utensils
- all
silverware
- all pots and pans
- Food preparer should wash
hands frequently with warm soapy water and dry with
paper towels. This is especially important after
touching raw meat, chicken, eggs, and fish.
- Wash dishes in
hot soapy water or in dishwasher. Air dry dishes--DO NOT
use cloth towel.
- Keep perishable
food very hot or very cold. DO NOT leave perishable
items at room temperature for more than 10 to 15
minutes.
- All perishable
foods should be cooked thoroughly. Yes, that means no
rare meat!
- Thaw frozen
foods in the refrigerator overnight or quickly in the
microwave. DO NOT thaw food on the counter.
- Refrigerate
leftovers promptly in airtight containers.
- Use leftovers only if they
have been stored properly and have been around for no
more than 24 hours.
Foods
| FOOD CATEGORY |
PERMITTED FOODS |
FOODS NOT PERMITTED |
| Beverages |
All except those listed |
Boiled well water |
Bottled spring water and tap water |
Raw, unpasturized milk |
Eggnog or milkshakes made with raw eggs |
Fresh apple cider |
| Meat, Fish, Eggs, Poultry
| All of the above and shellfish well cooked |
Home prepared meat and fish salads |
Pre-packaged sandwich meats |
Raw or rare Meat, Fish, Eggs, Poultry |
Commercially prepared meat and fish salads, sushi |
Sandwich meats from the deli |
| Dairy Products
| Pasturized or lactaid Milk or yougert Pre-packaged ice cream or frozen yogert |
pre-packaged hard cheeses: cheddar, colby, monterey jack, swiss, mozzarella |
pre-packaged soft cheeses: cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta |
soft serve ice cream or frozen yogurt hand-packed ice cream or frozen yogurt |
feta, brie, camembert, blue, gorganzola, and quesco fresco cheeses |
Any imported cheeses, and any cheese sliced at a deli,/td>
|
|---|
| Breads, Cereals, Rice, Potatoes, Pasta |
All pre-packaged or homemade breads, muffins. cakes, rolls,
donuts, cookies and crackers |
all boxed hot or cold cereals (except those with dried fruit or
nuts |
cooked potatoes, rice, noodles |
bakery breads, muffins, cakes, donuts, cream or custard filled
cakes |
Commercially prepared potato or maccaroni salad |
Popcorn (due to dental problems) |
|---|
| Vegetables and fruits
| all well washed and thoroughly cooked vegetables |
all cooked or canned fruits |
Raw, thick-skinned, well-washed fruits (unbruised): oranges,
grapefruits, melons, bananas, tangerines |
raw vegetables and salads |
Uncooked thin skinned fruits: apple, peaches, grapes, plums,
nectarines, kiwi, strawberries, etc. |
Dried fruits |
|---|
| Nuts |
processed peanut butter |
packaged roasted nuts |
cooked nuts (in cookies, cakes, etc) |
raw nuts |
Uncooked nuts |
Unprocessed nuts |
|---|
| Condiments and Spices
| all cooked fresh or canned spices (add at least 5min. prior to endi of cooking) |
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, served in separate containers with clean utensils |
sugar, jelly, honey served from clean containers with clean utensils |
uncooked spices |
raw honey |
anything from a family container that isn't freshly washed |
|---|
| Restaurant Foods and Miscellaneous |
thoroughly cooked frozen dinners |
thoroughly cooked frozen pizza |
canned entrees |
do not eat at restaurants for at least two months or use take out
deli food even if it's behind the counter |
avoid all salad bars for at least one year |
avoid all self-serve buffets for at least one year |
|---|
Other Nutritional Considerations
- eat small, frequent meals or snacks
- add margerine, butter,
gravy, cheese, and non-fat milk powder to appropriate items. (If
you're having dry mouth as a result of treatment you'll really
appreciate these suggestions.)
- Consume nutritional
supplements like ice cream frappes made with enriched milk. To make
enriched milk mix 1 quart of milk with 1 cup of dry milk
powder. Stir well and keep refrigerated. This increases the protein,
calorie and vitamin content of the milk.
- Drink Instant breakfast,
Ensure, Sustacal, or other commercially prepared supplements.
Some people may have trouble digesting milk
products. Watch for symptoms of bloating, gas, cramps, or diarrhea
after consuming milk products. You may want to switch to Lactaid
Milk, or chew lactaid tablets when eating dairy products. Discuss
this with your dietitian, nurse, or doctor.
DON'T forget to check with your doctor after bloodwork is done, to
see when this low bacteria diet can be liberalized.
Disclaimer:
This information that is presented here is for
educational purposes only.
It came from the Dana Farber Cancer
Institute Dietitians.
Please discuss this information with your
personal physician or dietitian.
Every effort has been made to
ensure that the information on this page is correct. If you believe
something is incorrect please email me and explain the error clearly
so that we can get it corrected.
|
