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Nutrition and daily life

Compote: a warm, sweet, safe drink

Compote, a drink of fruit cooked in water, is one of the best drink choices during treatment: cooking kills germs and adds flavour and fluid. This section explains how to make and store it.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Apples and apricots in a pot.
Figure 1.Cooking compote — Compote: a warm, sweet, safe drink

01Short answer

Wash fresh or dried fruit well and boil it for at least a few minutes. Cool the compote covered and put it in the fridge within 2 hours; drink it within 1–2 days. Homemade compote is safer than fresh-pressed juice. To cut sugar, choose sweet fruit (apples, pears, dried apricots). Prune compote can help with constipation. With mouth sores avoid sour fruit (lemon, cornelian cherry). If a jarred winter compote shows mould or a bulging lid, throw it away.

02Simple explanation

Boil it.

In the fridge within 2 hours.

Drink within 1–2 days.

Mould? Throw out.

03Scientific explanation

WHO: thorough cooking and proper chilling are key measures against foodborne infection.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Fluid

Compote counts towards your daily fluid.

A covered glass jug.
Figure 2.Cooling compote — Compote: a warm, sweet, safe drink

Sugar

With diabetes make it without sugar or with little.

A glass by the bed — Compote: a warm, sweet, safe drink
Figure 3.A glass of compote — Compote: a warm, sweet, safe drink

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
FluidCompote counts towards your daily fluid.
SugarWith diabetes make it without sugar or with little.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Compote
A fruit drink cooked in water.
Dried fruit
Dried fruit is washed before cooking.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Boil it.
  • Keep it in the fridge.
  • Drink it soon.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I drink it cold?

Yes, from the fridge, if made in time.

Is jarred winter compote OK?

From a sealed, intact jar usually yes; ask your team.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I drink it cold?

  2. Is jarred winter compote OK?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Reishi Mushroom
  6. National Cancer Institute (PDQ). Medicinal Mushrooms
  7. American Heart Association. Dietary Fats
  8. NHS. Sugar: the facts
  9. NHS. Salt: the facts
  10. American Heart Association. Sodium and salt
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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