1. Unpasteurized Milk
Dairy milk is a wealthy supply of vitamins like calcium, protein, potassium, and B nutritional vitamins. Most milk is pasteurized with warmth to kill the germs that trigger sicknesses. As a result of uncooked milk is unpasteurized, it will probably carry micro organism like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.
Unpasteurized milk (and juice) is particularly harmful for individuals with an immune system weakened by most cancers therapy. “There’s an enormous pattern with uncooked milk proper now,” says Carly Roop, RD, a scientific dietitian specialist at Penn Drugs’s Abramson Most cancers Middle in Philadelphia. “We’d not advocate uncooked milk since you may doubtlessly put your self in danger for [bacteria] like listeria.”
2. Grapefruit
Like different citrus fruits, grapefruit is an efficient supply of vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. It is a wholesome, low-fat strategy to meet your advisable each day fruit allowance. But each grapefruit and its juice can work together with many various medicines, together with some chemotherapy medicine. That is why grapefruit is without doubt one of the meals to keep away from whereas on chemotherapy, says Roop.
3. Uncooked or Undercooked Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs
Protein wants improve throughout chemotherapy therapy, partially as a result of this nutrient is vital for sustaining muscle mass and energy. Lean meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are good protein sources, however they have to be cooked completely to kill germs like salmonella and E. coli. Keep away from uncommon meat till your physician provides you the okay.
Salmonella micro organism additionally hides in eggs, which have to be cooked all through, too. Do not eat them soft-boiled or over-easy. Additionally keep away from any meals that comprise uncooked eggs, corresponding to unbaked cookie dough and cake batter, some Caesar salad dressings, and hollandaise sauce.
Preserve uncooked and incompletely cooked meals separated from cooked meals. You have to be conserving your cooking utensils separate for uncooked and cooked meals as properly, to keep away from cross-contamination.
4. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is an herb that some individuals take to handle despair, nervousness, sleep problems, or menopause signs. Along with potential uncomfortable side effects like headache and nausea, this complement could make chemotherapy medicines much less efficient.
That is as a result of St. John’s wort acts on enzymes that assist the physique break down and take away medicine within the liver. Older analysis reveals that it might trigger the liver to take away chemotherapy medicine extra shortly than typical, making them much less efficient. No newer analysis is out there, as St. John’s wort is mostly not advisable by healthcare professionals, as it may be unsafe in a number of circumstances, corresponding to when taking sure medicines. When you’ve been utilizing St. John’s wort, cease at the least one week earlier than beginning most cancers therapy. And do not start taking this complement throughout most cancers therapy with out your physician’s okay.
5. Sprouts
Any uncooked vegetables and fruit could also be problematic throughout most cancers therapy, as a result of they will carry infection-causing germs on their floor, says Lichtenstein. That is very true for alfalfa and bean sprouts. These meals develop in heat, moist circumstances, the place it is simple for micro organism like salmonella and E. coli to connect to them. Don’t eat sprouts, as they can’t be completely washed.
Different uncooked vegetables and fruit are secure so long as they’re completely washed beneath operating water. You probably have neutropenia, seek the advice of your physician for a specialised weight-reduction plan plan, which could minimize out all uncooked vegetables and fruit completely.
6. Unpasteurized Cheeses
Pasteurized cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and American are suitable for eating throughout most cancers therapy (they need to say “pasteurized” on the bundle). Keep away from unpasteurized cheeses like these (usually delicate cheeses), which might carry micro organism:
- Brie
- Camembert
- Roquefort
- Bleu
- Gorgonzola
- Stilton
- Cotija
- Queso blanco fresca
7. Echinacea
Echinacea dietary supplements assist to spice up the immune system and deal with colds and flu. Whereas this herb is secure for wholesome individuals, it might trigger issues when used similtaneously most cancers medicines. Echinacea blocks enzymes that break down chemotherapy medicine, which might have an effect on the quantity of those medicines within the physique. Goldenseal, ginseng, and kava are different dietary supplements to keep away from due to potential interactions with most cancers therapies, says Lichtenstein.
8. Sushi
Keep away from each sushi and sashimi throughout chemotherapy therapy. The truth is, any uncooked or undercooked fish and seafood (clams, mussels, oysters) can comprise micro organism that trigger norovirus, hepatitis A, and different severe sicknesses. Cooking fish and seafood completely earlier than you eat them will kill any dangerous germs.
9. Sizzling Sauce
Chemotherapy generally causes irritation and painful sores contained in the mouth, referred to as mucositis. Consuming spicy meals irritates the sores. “For sufferers experiencing mucositis as a facet impact of their therapy, keep away from meals which are spicy, acidic, sharp, or crunchy to stop additional ache and discomfort,” Lichtenstein says.
10. Antioxidant Dietary supplements
Antioxidants like nutritional vitamins A, C, and E, and carotenoids shield wholesome cells from harm brought on by oxidative stress. Those self same mechanisms may additionally shield most cancers cells and make therapy much less efficient. “Antioxidant dietary supplements might intrude with the oxidative stress mechanism that some chemotherapy brokers depend on to destroy most cancers cells,” says Lichtenstein.
11. Ice Cream
Excessive sensitivity to chilly is a potential facet impact of the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin, which treats colorectal, pancreatic, abdomen, and esophageal cancers. Touching meals straight out of the fridge and freezer, or consuming or consuming chilly meals and drinks could also be very uncomfortable. “Have gloves by the fridge, let meals get to room temperature, and select heat drinks,” Roop suggests. Relying on the severity of the chilly sensitivity, you might wish to keep away from ice cream, milkshakes, and smoothies when you’re on chemotherapy.
12. Garlic Complement
Garlic has the potential to advertise cardiovascular well being and regulate the immune system. It has additionally proven some anti-cancer results. However as a result of garlic dietary supplements can work together with enzymes that break down chemotherapy medicine in your physique, it is best to keep away from them throughout therapy. You possibly can nonetheless safely add garlic seasoning to your meals for taste, says Lichtenstein.
13. Deli Meat
Cease consuming deli meats like ham, liverwurst, salami, and bologna, which have been linked to listeria outbreaks. Processed meats are also linked to a better danger of most cancers — another excuse to restrict your consumption, even after chemo therapies.
Consuming cheese that was sliced on the deli counter is not advisable both, as a result of it might be cross-contaminated with germs from deli meats. It is safer to purchase prepackaged cheese.
The Takeaway
- Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system and improve the danger for infections or problems. Eat solely pasteurized and well-cooked meals to keep away from foodborne sicknesses.
- Some vitamin and nutrient dietary supplements — corresponding to St John’s wort, garlic, and nutritional vitamins A, C, and E — might work together with chemotherapy medicine and make most cancers combating medicine much less efficient.
- Get dietary recommendation from a healthcare skilled, and discuss to your oncologist, registered dietitian, or pharmacist should you at present take any dietary supplements or wish to take them.
