Just when we are over the first chemo, the next worry is food! I’m pleased to say that Mum is feeling like gradually eating more but as many, we have been advised to avoid un-pastteurised milk so in cheeses, yoghurts etc. We’re finding that cheeses are clearly labelled but not so much in the case of yoghurts!! Just wondered if anyone had come across anything? Looked at soya one’s but they seem to have lots of various cultures in that the chemo nurse advised us to avoid!
I was told to avoid Bio yoghurts, takeaways, barbecues and shell fish (Its the food poisoning factor they are concerned about) as when your immune system is down and cant fight off infection it could possibly kill you!!!
I was told to avoid anything with the potential to upset your tummy during the low immunity week - take-aways, shellfish and soft cheeses like brie or blue veined cheeses that are normally not pastuerised. I must admit though I haven’t really avoided anything, and I won’t give up prawns for anyone!!! Strange woman I know…
Anyway dunno about yoghurts - I wasn’t told that - if you are worried about it, stick to the conventional yoghurts and not the Bio/Soya/Activia stuff as they often contain ‘Live’ bacterias. I think cottage cheese is just made with normal milk, so prob OK I imagine.
I had 4/Epi and 4 CMF chemo, I finished in July 07. I avoided thing like bio yoghurts, indian and chinese takeaways, but did have fish and chips, I also avoided salads when out just in case it wasn’t washed properly. I came through my chemo with not a lot of problems. i am feeling well now and everyone tells me I look well, and my hair is growing back lovely. Love to all Carolyn159
I am about to have my 8th session and was told to live life as normal as possible - to eat as usual, no restrictions given at all, alcohol allowed (thank goodness!) Have survived the last five months eating plenty of healthy stuff but also cheese, yogs, salads, plus quite a few takeaways - my advice is ask the experts who are looking after you. Good luck to your mum.
I have been told to avoid unpasteurised cheeses and too much cheese in general. Presumably because anything dairy may contain hormones? Also I believe it’s bes to avoid takeaway foods, and wash salads really well. I even tell the restaurant to do so if I’m in one! Nightmare customer. Apparently soya contains oestrogen so if your Mum’s cancer is oestrogen positive it’s probably best to avoid that. Not being much of a meat eater I’m livid about that! Chicken contains hormones unless organic but it’s best to ask the supplier how true that is!
It’s all very confusing. There are some good books about, maybe pop into Waterstones Michelle and get a what-to-eat-if-you-have-cancer book. Some go a bit far with macrobiotic diets etc which I could not hope to stick to.
So glad your Mum’s first session is over. Just had my 5th FEC today.
Being the complete cheese-o-holic that I am, I regularly look at cheese.com who say this about Cottage Cheese. Doesn’t say if its pasteurised but hope it helps:
Snow-white cottage cheese which is produced in United States, Britain and other countries. It is a creamy, lumpy cheese sold in pots. It is an acid curd cheese, relying on the natural tendency of warm milk to curdle (no use of rennet). Once the floppy curd has formed, it is cut into pieces and heated gently in whey until it reaches desired texture. Then the whey is removed (by draining and rinsing). This cheese ripens in one or two days and has a fat content of five to 15 per cent.
Sorry! I didn’t mean to panic anyone! We were just told that Mum should avoid unpasteurised cheese or milk, peel all fruit and throoughly wash salads etc. This would also involve being quite picky when eating out. She has also been told to avoid bio-yoghurts or those with cultures (sounds funny!) and so I rang round and it seems that Shape Lasting Satisfaction yoghurts are pasteurised. It doesn’t say on yoghurt packets.
Throughout it has seemed that some people have been told and some not. It doesn’t mean you would get ill if you ate it but that at this time we just need to be extra careful. I think I’m just going OTT a bit too, first week of chemo and just want to try to do everything I can for Mum. So sorry if I worried anyone.
Chemo does odd things to the gut - apart from anything else, as the gut lining is fast growing, it is one of the parts of the body that shows the effect of chemo quickly. So long as your mother is eating sensibly, and is able to eat, I would not worry over much about unpasteurized products. Most basic cheeses are made with pasteurized milk, and the bio-yogurts can actually help with the gut problem. I was told to avoid brie, camembert and stilton (the mould in that) and am still careful with these.
Where possible, organic free-range meat products are more desirable. And if you can get your veggies from someone with an allotment who doesn’t spray everything in sight, even better.
My chemo teams both took the line that you need the sustenance so don’t be overly cautious.
I was also told to avoid certain foods during days 10-14 in my 3 week cycle of EC, as my resistance to infection is greatest, is just a precaution. This included pre-packed food like salads and sandwiches, as they sit around in the shop for a while, also takeaways and eating out from places you don’t know, and as mentioned, soft cheeses and blue cheeses. I was told it was OK to eat all of this luverly stuff outside of the “danger” period though.
First time round I was really careful… after my 2nd treatment I wasn’t quite so careful… but have still been fine. :o)
Shannon
xxx
Hi, Michelle. I think some of these restrictions may also vary depending on what chemo you have, but if your Mum has been advised to avoid non-pasteurised milk products, why don’t you cut them ALL out for the few weeks she is having chemo and for a litle while after? Also cheese does generate acid as you digest it and is heavy on the fat content which makes her liver have to work hard just when it needs all its energy to detox. the chemo and dead cancer cells for her. To top up on the good bugs in bio-yogurt, pop into the healthfood shop and by some lactobacillus capsules and keep these in the fridge to keep the bugs fresh and take them according to the instructions - just as potent as yogurt and zero risk. There’s no earthly reason to spend energy looking for dairy products she can use when maybe she can live without them for a few short weeks. Use your energy for seeking out some nice organic fresh products such as fruit and veg. - organic grapes and melons are delicious, peaches, baby carrots, etc. and treats - organic chocolate?? try some soya deserts if she has a sweet tooth, all which can also be hard to find but do boost the immune system and will be a welcome and light addition to tempt her to eat?
Wishing you and your Mum well,