Microbes are tiny organisms, such as bacteria, and they can be found in a multitude of locations, including foods and beverages. Even some harmful microbes typically do not cause problems for most people, but individuals who have undergone intensive cancer therapy usually have a compromised immune system that makes them more susceptible to infection by these organisms. These people usually need a low-microbial diet to prevent the risk of food-borne illness, explains the American Cancer Society.
Features
Raw and fresh fruits and vegetables and undercooked meats are the biggest food risks for causing infection and food-borne illness, according to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Commercial canned foods have had microbes eliminated during the canning process, and thoroughly cooking fresh and frozen foods also makes them safer.
Foods to Avoid
Foods to avoid on the low-microbial diet include undercooked meat, uncooked pasta and noodles, uncooked barley, nearly all raw vegetables, and raw seeds and nuts. Raw fruit may be acceptable as long as it is washed and peeled. Fruit that cannot be peeled, such as berries, cherries and grapes, can cause problems. Avoid sliced deli and prepackaged cheese and meats, including cold cuts, unless you cook them thoroughly. Smoked and pickled fish should be avoided. Do not eat soft cheese such as brie and feta, or blue cheese, Roquefort cheese and uncooked sharp cheddar cheese. Do not eat raw dough or batter while on this diet.
Foods to Eat
On the low-microbial diet, you may eat bread and other baked goods, ready-to-eat cereals and cooked cereals, as well as cooked pasta and noodles, and commercial snack foods. Fruit is acceptable as long as it is cooked, canned or dried, or at least washed thoroughly and peeled. If you eat fresh fruit, make sure it is unblemished. Canned and cooked vegetables are fine. The only raw vegetables allowed are unblemished carrots and cucumbers, well-washed and peeled. Meat should be eaten well done, and seafood, poultry and eggs thoroughly cooked. You may eat cottage cheese, commercially-packaged mild or medium cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese. Milk, yogurt and ice cream are acceptable as long as they are pasteurized.
Eating Out
You may eat out while on the low-microbial diet as long as you only go to clean restaurants and eat thoroughly cooked food, advises Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Make sure your food does not contain any fresh produce, including in sandwiches. Do not eat from a buffet or salad bar. Avoid fast foods, as they have low nutritional value. If you do choose to have fast food, go inside and check the restaurant for cleanliness, and do not accept food that has been sitting under heat lamps. Also do not eat soft-serve ice cream, as the machines may not be clean enough for a low-microbial diet.
Time Frame
Research published in the October 2001 issue of the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" used survey results to determine various guidelines hospitals use for when to begin and discontinue a low-microbial diet in bone marrow transplant patients. Some guidelines include a specific day relative to the transplant and the patient's white blood cell count. A patient might need to stay on the low-microbial diet for three months after a stem cell transplant or until he has completed immunosuppressive therapy, according to Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
References
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute: Low Microbial Diet
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute: Inpatient Low Microbial Diet
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute: Restaurant Foods
- American Cancer Society: Infections In People With Cancer
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; A Survey of the Use of Low Microbial Diets in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Programs; MR French,et al.; Oct. 2001
