Assalamualaikum and hello people! How's life everyone? Hope everything's okay loves!

So lets just cut straight, this is my first entry about a neutropenic diet. Just spreading some knowledge about diet for cancer patients. Happy reading hearts :)

Neutropenia is a condition of the blood, in which white blood cells have a low number of neutrophils. People with neutropenia have greater risk of infections as body is not well-equipped to fight infections. People with weakened immune systems can practice a neutropenic diet. This diet provide a protection from bacteria and other harmful organisms found in some food and drinks. A special diet, neutropenic diet which is low in microbial or low-germ diet, is recommended when neutrophils are significantly lower than normal. This diet is to minimize exposure to food-borne bacteria and to decrease the risk of infection. In other words, if immune system is not working well, the body may encounter barrier to protect themselves from bacteria.

Usually, doctors often recommend this diet before and after certain types of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Many cancer patients have a blood test called an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) blood test which is done routinely. ANC helps to determine the body’s ability to fight against infection. The patient is often instructed to follow a neutropenic diet when the ANC is less than 500 cells/mm3. Neutropenic diet should be followed until the doctor tells the patient to resume their regular diet.

Diet and nutrition can be affected by cancer and its treatment in many ways. Different cancer treatments can cause different side effects. Among them are fatigue, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, changes in taste and smell, mouth tenderness or sores, changes in bowel habits such as constipation and diarrhea. Another important side effect to be aware of is low blood counts. Normally, it can be caused by many chemotherapy drugs, and also sometimes by radiation therapy. A decrease in white blood cells is not always accompanied by symptoms as white blood cells are particularly vulnerable.

Normally, patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants typically follow this diet during the pre-transplant chemotherapy. They will continue on it until they cease to take immunosuppressive drugs. Patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplants typically follow this diet during the pre-transplant chemotherapy. They continue follow this diet for the first 3 or more months after transplant. The transplant team will tell the patient how long to follow this diet. Besides, people who have had an organ transplant or who are being treated for HIV/AIDS also may need to follow this diet.

There are several foods to avoid in a neutropenic diet. Examples are raw milk or raw milk products or any unpasteurized milk or milk products, including cheese and yogurt made from unpasteurized milk. Next, hot dogs, deli meats, or processed meats need to be avoided unless they have been cooked or thoroughly reheated just before eating. Besides, raw or undercooked meat, fish, chicken, eggs, or tofu, cold smoked fish, including lox, jerky, kippered, or nova-style fish. Miso or tempeh products. Uncooked vegetables and fruits or unwashed salad greens, uncooked grain products, vegetable sprouts, such as alfalfa, bean, and others also need to be avoided. Lastly, unpasteurized fruit or vegetable juices, unpasteurized, raw honey and raw nuts or nuts roasted in their shells also among the foods that need to be avoided.

        Besides, another neutropenia self-care and precautions that can be done to keep yourself healthy is to practice a neutropenic diet in order to avoid bacteria and infection. Next, limit exposure to people and pets and practice good hand-washing techniques. While gardening, you should wear gloves to avoid punctures, cuts and bruises. Another precaution that can be practiced is to always keep applying hand sanitizer when needed. Next, do not forget to use antibacterial soaps and wipes to clean around the house and lastly prepare and stare all the foods carefully to avoid mold and bacteria.

Thank you for reading, take care loves!