When the heat lingers, a crisp vegetable salad or a cool dish often sounds more appealing than a hot bowl of soup or rice. On days when your appetite is low, a plate of fresh vegetables paired with some protein can be an easy way to take in nutrition. During cancer treatment, however, how you wash and store food matters just as much as what you choose to eat.
Chemotherapy can lead to periods when white blood cells, especially neutrophils (호중구), drop for a while. During these times the body may react to even small amounts of bacteria that would normally cause no trouble, so the risk of infection rises. Because summer's heat and humidity make it easy for bacteria to grow in food, a little extra care with hygiene helps when you enjoy raw vegetables or cold dishes.
When eating raw vegetables, rinse the leaves one by one under clean running water and remove the outer leaves. Vegetables and fruits that can be peeled are safer peeled. Keep the cutting board and knife used for produce separate from those used for raw meat or fish, and wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds before and after preparing food.
Storage and timing matter too. Try to avoid salads made long ago or foods left at room temperature for more than two hours — or more than one hour when it is very hot. Refrigerate leftovers and eat them within the next meal or so. For a salad bought outside, it helps to check when it was made and whether it was kept chilled.
Depending on your situation, your care team may advise avoiding raw vegetables and fruit for a time and choosing cooked foods instead. This usually does not mean a particular food is harmful; rather, it is often a temporary step to lower infection risk while your immune system is weakened. In more stable periods, fresh vegetables are a valuable food that supports recovery. So it is best to ask your treating team or a dietitian whether raw vegetables are suitable for you right now.
When the heat leaves you tired and without appetite, eating small amounts more often — with cool, soft foods — can help more than one large meal. Remember to stay hydrated, and if you also have fever, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, it may be more than a simple summer upset, so let your medical team know.
This article is for general information only and does not replace individual medical care. The right diet depends on your treatment phase and condition, which differ from person to person, so please discuss your specific meals with your treating team or a dietitian.