neutropenic diet??

hii..how are you doing?for this entry, i have some information about neutropenic diet and i would to share with ppl out there. have you heard bout neutropenic diet??let's spend our time reading this :)

Neutropenia is a condition at which it is characterized by abnormality low number of white blood cell which is neutrophils. Whereas neutropenic diet is a diet that abstains from foods that contains harmful bacteria such as in raw meats, seafood, soy, vegetables, fruits and nuts. It is a diet focused for people who has weakened immune systems in the body. So, neutropenic diet is useful to protect them from harmful organisms and bacteria that found in some drinks and foods. When the immune system is not functioning well, it is difficult for the body to fight against these bacteria. Well cooked foods can completely makes sure that bacteria can be destroyed. In another word, neutropenic diet can also be called as sterile diet, low microbial diet, or low bacterial diet (LBD). Based on Neutropenic Diet Guideline, several recommendations has been stated which is to avoid from eating raw fruits and vegetables, avoid taking fast food and take-out foods, avoid the aged cheese and avoid deli meats. Besides, foods must be cooked to produce well done and eggs must be hard-boiled. On top of that, take no yogurt and also no raw nuts.

Neutropenic diet is recommended for patients who has undergoes cancer treatments and certain types of chemotherapy. There is a blood test called absolute neutrophil count (ANC) that able to determine if the body is able to fight against infection. ANC has been done to cancer patients routinely. When the result from ANC shows less than 500 cells/mm³, the patients has to follow a neutropenic diet. This diet must be continued until the doctor tells patient to their regular diet. Besides, patients with stem cell transplants and who had undergoes organ transplant and also those who are in the treatment for HIV/AIDS are instructed to follow neutropenic diet. Food preparation methods in neutropenic diet are occasionally employed to ensure content of microbial is low, including in sterilization and autoclaving method. At the same time, this diet can affect the texture, taste and appearance of the food. Hence, it can decrease patients’ appetite and desire to eat and decrease to maintain their nutritional status when it is crucial to maintain caloric intake. The timing to initiate this diet is varies among institutions. Some of the hospitals initiate using absolute neutrophil count (ANC) while others may start neutropenic diet upon hospital admission.

Bacteria and infection can be avoided by taking neutropenic diet. Since bacteria can easily hide in raw meats and seafood, and also dirt can easily stick in the crannies of fruits and vegetables, there are some ways to prevent infections, includes by using cooked foods or foods and dairy products that have been pasteurized. Besides, the raw vegetables should be inspected before cook. Fresh fruits and vegetables, raw meat, fish and eggs should be avoided. Meat must achieve “well-done” stage and all eggs are thoroughly cooked. Scrubs fruits, vegetables and clean the cooking surface to prevent infection. The entrees and side dishes must be cook thoroughly and do not eat the moldy food such as moldy cheese. Raw nuts must be avoided and can be replaced with baked products with these ingredients. Based on research, even though benefits of neutropenic diet is very limited, the diet is still been used in most institutions with the hope that neutropenic diet may have potential to prevent foodborne infection or bacteremia in patients.

                           

Based on neutropenic diet, there are categories of food that should be chosen and food that should be avoided. For beverages, foods to choose includes instant and brewed decaf or regular coffee and tea, cans or bottles of carbonated beverages individually, and tap or bottled water. Beverages that should be avoided is any others, such as brewed tea or sun tea. For starches, all types of bread, rolls, English muffins, fruit muffins, bagels, sweet rolls and donuts can be choose. Besides, waffles, French toast, pancakes, potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, popcorn, crackers and all types of cooked and ready-to-eat cereals and cooked grains can be eaten. Cereals containing raw nuts and raw oats are such starches that need to be avoided. Foods to choose for dairy products includes milkshakes using individual cartons of ice cream and milk, or homemade milkshakes, commercial eggnog, commercial supplements such as instant breakfast drinks. Unpasteurized milk or yogurt, yogurt or soft ice cream from a machine and milkshakes that made in a blender are foods to avoid.

For fats, foods such as butter or margarine, cream cheese, sour cream, salad dressings, or mayonnaise, oil, shortening used in cooking and non-dairy creamers can be choose to eat, while avocado dressing and fresh salad dressing containing aged cheese, raw eggs, or fresh herbs must be avoided. Foods to choose for vegetables are all well-cooked canned and all raw vegetables, stir-fried vegetables, fresh salads and fresh sauerkraut are vegetables that should be avoided. On top of that, for dietary supplements, commercial high- calorie or high-protein drinks, puddings, and snack bars if approved by a doctor or nurse can be choose, while supplements and vitamins (unless approved by a doctor or nurse) should not taken. Therefore, further research and studies need to be conducted to make better evaluation regarding neutropenic diet.

                           

that's all..thankyou readers! mwah sikit :*