Nutrition map: a summary of section 5
This section brings together all the topics on nutrition and food safety: what to read, where to look and which rules matter most.

01Short answer
02Simple explanation
Safe food.
Enough energy and protein.
Adapted to side effects.
Together with your team.
03Scientific explanation
ESPEN and WHO: good nutrition and food safety support treatment tolerance and quality of life.
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?
Dietitian
See the hospital dietitian for a personal plan.

Family
Share this map with your family; they cook too.

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.







06Key points at a glance
| Topic | In brief |
|---|---|
Dietitian | See the hospital dietitian for a personal plan. |
Family | Share this map with your family; they cook too. |
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. |
07Key terms
- Nutritional risk
- The likelihood of weight and muscle loss.
- Food safety
- Preventing infection through food.
- Dietitian
- A nutrition specialist.
- Protein
- A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
- Neutropenia
- Low neutrophils.
08Key points
- Safe.
- Enough.
- Together.
- A diet is not a treatment.
- Talk to a dietitian.
09Frequently asked questions
Where should I start?
With “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “The neutropenic diet: what it means today”, the neutropenic rules.
What if the rules change?
Your team's latest advice always comes first.
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.
Where should I start?
What if the rules change?
Can a special diet cure leukemia?
12Sources
- National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
- ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
- World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
- World Health Organization (WHO). Food safety — fact sheet
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Hand Hygiene and Preventing Infection
- NHS. Food poisoning
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Safe Food Handling
- Food Standards Agency (UK). Cooking your food
Dietitian
Family