Myeloma patients can become "neutropenic" during some myeloma treatment, especially during the first 30-days of stem cell transplant. Being neutropenic means that you have a low white blood cell count, making it difficult to fight infection. If you become neutropenic it is important to take special precautions with your diet. A neutropenic diet is a way of protecting yourself from foodborne illness.
Here are some general guidelines you'll want to be aware of:
There is much you CAN eat while you are neutropenic, so please know that you can choose from a wide variety of healthy options.
For example, you can make healthy soups and stews with fresh but cooked vegetables. You can cook berries or fruits with thin skins into cobblers or compote. You can toast soft cheeses like Brie over bread, make hardboiled eggs or cook spinach instead of having a salad. You can still eat ice cream out of containers or cook your meat and vegetables in a stir-fry.
Remember, neutropenia doesn't last forever. You can protect yourself to be safe during neutropenia, but you can still enjoy your food!
about the author
Jennifer Ahlstrom
Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of HealthTree Foundation (formerly Myeloma Crowd).
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