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Bone Marrow Transplant Patient's Diet

White blood cells (WBCs), which help the body fight infection, are produced in the bone marrow. If you undergo a bone marrow transplant (BMT) for cancer, you are essentially getting a new immune system. The entire process, which takes several weeks, consists of several phases: high-dose chemotherapy, the transplant itself (the donor may be yourself or another person), and recovery of WBCs, other cells and body systems. Because your immune system is compromised after chemotherapy, your body may not be able to fight infections if you get sick. Take precautions when your WBCs are low; one precaution is dietary.

  1. What Is a Neutropenic Diet?

    • Your physician may prescribe a neutropenic diet when you begin chemotherapy. A neutropenic diet is simply food that is thoroughly cooked, pasteurized or processed to kill bacteria and other microbes, thus reducing your risk of food-borne illnesses.

    Foods to Eat

    • Eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of protein. Protein is essential for healing, so eat plenty of chicken, fish, beef, pork and eggs as long as they are thoroughly cooked--the intense heat kills the microbes on the food's surface. Consume fruits and vegetables only if they are cooked, canned or frozen. Drink bottled, canned or frozen juices. After chemotherapy you may have nausea, vomiting and painful mouth sores. If it becomes uncomfortable to eat, your physician may recommend high-calorie supplement drinks.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Avoid uncooked, unwashed or raw foods. Do not eat anything that was cooked but left out at room temperature for over two hours, because bacteria can multiply if food is not refrigerated. Do not drink well water or home-squeezed juice, because they may harbor bacteria. Avoid ice cream and yogurt from a machine because they might not be properly produced--grab a package from the frozen section of the supermarket. Do not buy food from street cart vendors, because they are not always sanitary.

    Dining Out

    • You may be discharged before the dietary restrictions are lifted and decide to eat out. Choose establishments with good reputations. You may need to contact the local health department for sanitation reports. Keep away from salad bars, buffets and delis, since it is unclear how long the food has been sitting out. Go when business is slow and ask the host to seat you in an area with low traffic. Having fewer people around lowers your risk of catching something that they might harbor.

    Resuming a Normal Diet

    • The decision to resume a normal diet is between you and your physician. Patients who received their own bone marrow usually stay on the neutropenic diet for 30 days, while those with donor transplants usually stay on it for 100 days. The decision is based on factors such as white cell count and active infections.

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