Have been advised not to eat bio or live yoghurts.
Does anyone know whether the activia bifidus actiregularis is OK
PS think they are alright but am jus getting a bit paranoid with what I eat.
Hope not, I’m eating quite a lot of yogurt as I have slight bone thinning. Know what you mean about getting paranoid though PP.
S
I ate normally, including takeaways, all during my chemo. Sometimes a little of what you fancy does you good!
As I understand it, the risk is with products that might have an increased risk of causing infection/food poisoning, hence avoiding takeaways (but most takeaway places have very high standards of hygiene these days!) as your white blood cells and therefore your ability to fight infection can be compromised by chemo. I would have thought unpasteurised products would be more risky than bio or live yoghurts, I don’t see that there’s any specific risk from bio or live yoghurts, but I could be wrong.
Hi, I was told not to eat yoghurts with live bio stuff, or actimel or anything like that, something to do with the fact that even though it’s meant to be friendly bacteria, it’s still bacteria none the less so not good if our on chemo. I was also told not to eat pate or soft cheeses.
Pumpkin x
I was told not to eat live yoghurts in case the “good bacteria” breed something not so good, given that we’ve not got good imune systems. Activia/Yakult, those sorts, I was told that if I already took them every day that would be OK to continue because my system would be used to theo. As I had them from time to time, I was advised not to. Makes sense… The issue with takeaways is re-heated rice… so I avoided the local chinese which is “just” a take-away… but didn’t avoid the Indian restaurant takeaway, cause they’re a restaurant and I wouldn’t expect them to re-heat rice… and i found with FEC a mild curry at the end of week 1 helped to cut through the grotty mouth… didn’t work so well for Tax as my mouth was raw then, and even chicken tikka hurt! Good luck… Jane
I have not been told this and I eat lots of actimel drinks and yogs I thought they were supposed to support your immune system.
mmm, dont know if you want my two pennyworth because I am not on chemo. But isnt this the national health nanny state thing again. I can see that if your immune system is compromised that you have to be carefull and not exposed yourselves to food that might give you food poisoning, but surely common sense will prevale. I bet the put spinach and pre-washed salad on the list next year because of the recent scares.
I am amazed at the dietary advice they gave my pregnant daughter, you would have thought she was on chemo too–no unpasteurised dairy, no pate, processed meat, no liver, etc etc. and no alcohol.
I hope you ladies are allowed alcohol at least.
Allowed alcohol? Doing it anyway … but reduced intake … just can’t drink anymore!! An GIJane … I also have a curry as a treat at the end of week 1 chemo … its the only thing I can taste and solves the constipation problem !! Oh and I have a GT to go with it!!!
I wasn’t given any diet advice and happily ate rare meat, soft cheese, shellfish, etc, etc all the way through chemo with no ill effects!
I haven’t been given any dietary advice at all so just carrying on as my normal. I have 2 Actimel each day, natural bio yogurt with porridge in the morning.
Chemo mouth as made me not enjoy alcohol at the moment so just a small glass occasionally. Digestive system definitely up the spout since starting chemo, but doesn’t seem to relate to what I eat.
Have had several visits to the Chinese restaurant after chemo sessions
as a treat as I usually feel okay on those days.
I’m going to carry on using common sense and hope for the best.
Many thanks for all your comments. Will have to think about this and make a decision.
O&L - yes I have also been told no pre-washed bag salad. Possibly be easier to stop eating altogether!!!
Hi Poodlepatch
The advice does seem to vary from hospital to hospital. When I had chemo 3 years ago I had very strict instructions about the things I couldn’t eat - bio/active yogurts included. As Choccie says it’s all due to your compromised immune system and what you could or couldn’t fight should you get any form of infection including stomach bugs picked up by undercooked food or poor hygiene - wherever that’s from. I also had the problem of our area’s water having shown in the past traces of some waterborne bug so had to boil all my drinking water -including any that I then wanted cold. That was the worst bit for me, I could live without takeaways but having to boil water every day was the pits! BTW my hospital also said not to drink bottled mineral water as this also can contain bacteria! I wasn’t going to risk anything especially as I my nets count was nearly on the floor a few times. Best check with any guidelines that yours have given you or recommend, they all seem to be different and mine were particularly stringent.
Nicky
Hope you ladies dont mind me butting in on subject I am fortunate not to have knowledge of but just a thought.Has anyone thought about using Complan during those difficult food times.It gives all the nutrients required to sustain except fibre.It has kept strength and general health maintained for me when having other medical problems when food nurishment was a problem.
I was given no dietary instructions whatsoever … not even about alcohol… any diet information I’ve picked up has been from the Haven.
slenderbender, you seem to like the live bio products. Have you ever thought of making your own kefir?? full of so many natural goodies. and if you have made it yourself you can be re-assureed about the hygiene. I thrive on it. Some people who are lactose intollerent use water kefir, so that would suit those ladies on here that are avoiding dairy.
Thanks OAL,
I’ve just looked it up. Might give it a try.
I’ve just been thinking - if we all didn’t eat all the things different people have been told - we’d starve to death!!
i got my grains from ebay. I use a 2 litre glass kilner jar from amazon (got 4 for washing and storing) and a stainless steel big sieve.
Thank you OAL xx
Just to let anyone interested know. Have just had e mail back from Danone that states Activia and Actimel do contain live bacteria with them having probiotics in them so they state undergoing chemo best avoided.