What Is a Low-Bacteria Diet?
A low-bacteria diet does not have foods that are apt to have:
- Bacteria
- Other types of germs that cause infection
Why Follow a Low Bacteria Diet?
This diet may be used by people with a weak immune system. It lowers their risk of getting sick from eating food. This diet may be needed before and after some cancer treatments.
Low-Bacteria Diet Basics
Raw or fresh foods are more apt to have harmful germs. These germs are destroyed when food is cooked well. For example, fresh veggies should be cooked until tender. Meats should be cooked until well-done. And eggs should be cooked until the yolk is firm.
Some foods like milk are pasteurized. This process briefly uses high heat to kill bacteria without cooking the food. Look for dairy products, juices, and ciders that have “pasteurized” on the label.
Eating Guide for a Low Bacteria Diet
Food | Eat This... | And Not This... |
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Grains |
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Veggies |
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Fruits |
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Milk |
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Meat and Beans |
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Oils |
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Fats and Sweets |
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Drinks |
|
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Other |
|
|
Suggestions
Here are some tips for eating a low-bacteria diet. A registered dietitian can help you learn more about this diet and how to make changes.
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When you make food:
- Wash your hands before and after.
- Cook foods well and keep them hot until you eat them.
- Do not make bread that has yeast as an ingredient.
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When you go shopping:
- Do not choose items from salad bars, bulk food bins, and food samples.
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When you store and handle food:
- Keep refrigerated foods cold (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit [4.4 degrees Celsius]).
- Refrigerate or freeze leftovers right away.
- Refrigerate foods after you open them (like salad dressing, apple sauce, and soy sauce).
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When dining out:
- Do not eat from salad bars, delis, and buffets.
- Use single-serve condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy sauce, steak sauce, salt, pepper, and sugar.
RESOURCES
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org
Eat Right—Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics http://www.eatright.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca
Dietitians of Canada http://www.dietitians.ca
References
Leukemia and diet. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Accessed April 7, 2022.
Neutropenic diet. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center website. Available at:https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/nutrition-cancer/diet-plans-cancer/neutropenic-diet. Accessed April 7, 2022
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review BoardDianne Scheinberg Rishikof MS, RD, LDN
- Update Date: 04/07/2022