Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program
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Dietary Concerns
The bone marrow transplant recipient is very susceptible to germs that could be transmitted from foods and beverages. In an effort to provide a more "protected" environment BMT patients are placed on a special diet prior to initiation of the conditioning regimen. Liberalization of this diet will occur once the white count increases post-transplant. The nutritionist will discuss this as well as some important additional information regarding types of foods permitted.
Low microbial diet
The low microbial diet is one in which specific foods have been excluded in an effort to reduce the risk of infection. It is not a sterile diet, but one that will minimize the risks. It meets the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) if appropriate selections are made.
| FOOD SELECTION: | FOODS ALLOWED: | FOODS EXCLUDED: | |
| Milk/Dairy Products | Low fat milk, nonfat milk, chocolate milk, non-dairy cream, canned eggnog, hospital milkshakes or milkshakes made with evaporated or condensed milk. All pasteurized cheese and yogurt. | Soft ice cream; raw milk,unpasteurized dairy products, moldy cheeses. | |
| Vegetables | Cooked fresh or frozen vegetables; canned vegetables except sauerkraut; canned vegetable juices | All raw or uncooked vegetables. All salads, sauerkraut. stir-fry vegetables; potato skins | |
| Fruit/Juices | Any canned or stewed fruit. Any pasteurized canned or bottled fruit juice | All fresh fruit. Unpasteurized fruit juices. Raisins and other dried fruit unless part of a baked food, for example, raisin oatmeal cookie. | |
| Breads, Cereals, and Starches | Any white or whole grain breads or rolls, muffins, bagels, biscuits,
crackers melba toast, pretzels, sweet rolls, donuts, pancakes, waffles, French toast. Any cooked or dry cereals. White or sweet potatoes (without skin), yams, potato chips, macaroni, noodles, rice, spaghetti. |
Sweet rolls with custard or cream filling. Unprocessed bran unless part of a baked or cooked food. | |
| Meat and Meat products | Well done cooked beef, veal, ham, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish. Fresh or pasteurized eggs thoroughly cooked any style. Casseroles or stews using allowed foods. Macaroni and cheese. | Raw fish and shellfish, raw or rare meats, raw or soft-cooked eggs including "over-easy" fried eggs, stir-fried foods such as Chinese entrees. | |
| Soup | Any cooked hot homemade, canned frozen or dehydrated soups. | Cold soups such as Gazpacho. | |
| Fats | Margarine, butter, vegetable oils, crisp bacon, cooked gravies and white sauces, oil & vinegar type dressings, whipped topping. | Avocado, Bleu cheese and Roquefort cheese dressing. | |
| Desserts | Plain cakes, cookies, custard pudding, gelatin desserts, commercially made hard ice cream, ices or sherbet. | Non-commercial ice cream. All other desserts made with foods in the exclude list (see also Breads, Cereals and Starches). | |
| Sweets/Spices | Salt; spices, herbs, or seasonings may be used in food only during the cooking process. Sugar, jam, jelly, preserves, honey, syrup, molasses, candy, chocolate. Roasted nuts, peanut butter, cocoa. | Added pepper, spices, herbs or seasonings to food after they have been cooked. Shredded coconut. Raw nuts. | |
| Beverages | Coffee, tea, decaffeinated coffee, cocoa, carbonated beverages, lemonade (reconstituted from powder with sterile water); canned or bottled beverages if pasteurized. | Beverages made with frozen concentrate or reconstituted with nonsterile water. | |
Additional information for families regarding food
- A daily menu with choices of food will be provided for the following day.
- No foods other than those served from the central kitchen or from
the BMTU are permitted. Family members may bring in commercially
prepared, unopened packages of candy, chips, pretzels, cereals, cookies, or
similar food. If there are questions, please check with the nurse or
nutritionist. Prepared meals and foods cannot be brought in from
home.
- The trays used will be paper isolation trays that will be covered.
Utensils will be plastic and individually wrapped.
- Only individually wrapped foods served as the first serving of an
unopened canned food/package are to be used.
- Sterile water must be used for drinking or for food/beverage
preparation including ice cubes.
- Popsicles and similar frozen foods are allowed if made from a
pasteurized base.
- Seasonings, spices, and herbs can be used only during the cooking
process.
- Garnishes, such as parsley and flowers, are not to be used.
- Only thoroughly cooked foods, heat-processed canned foods, or foods
that are commercially pre-packaged and sealed are permitted: any dented or
bulging cans should be discarded.
- All perishable foods delivered from the hospital cafeteria should be discarded if not eaten within 1 hour of delivery.