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Nutrition and daily life

Fruit — food card: vitamins, fluid and safety

Pomegranate, quince, apricot, apple, grapes — Azerbaijan is famous for its fruit. Fruit gives vitamins, fluid and a pleasant sweetness, and can stir the appetite. This card explains the benefits of fruit and safe choices during treatment.

Last updated: ~2 min read
Peelable and baked fruit is safer during treatment
Figure 1.Peelable and baked fruit is safer during treatment.

01Short answer

Fruit provides vitamin C, potassium, folate, fibre and fluid. With nausea or a dry mouth, cool fruit can be very welcome. For safety, wash fruit under running water, throw away damaged pieces and keep cut fruit in the fridge. During neutropenia, thick-skinned and peelable fruit and cooked fruit (baked apple, compote) are safer. Grapefruit and pomelo can interact with medicines.

02Simple explanation

Fruit is a source of vitamin C and potassium.

It is often 80–90 % water, which helps with fluid needs.

The skin can carry germs, so wash fruit even if you will peel it.

Thick-skinned fruit (banana, orange) is better protected.

03Scientific explanation

Washing: the FDA advises washing fruit under running water before cutting or peeling so the knife does not carry germs inside.

Grapefruit: the FDA says it changes how some medicines are broken down and can raise their blood levels.

Juices: CDC advises people with weak immunity to avoid unpasteurised juices.

04What happens in the body?

What does fruit provide?

A medium orange gives about 70 mg vitamin C, a medium banana about 400 mg potassium. Fruit contains fibre and natural sugar.

Three soft spheres rise from half an orange glowing from within.
Figure 2.Fruit provides vitamin C, potassium and fibre.

How to choose

Choose firm fruit without damage or mould. Throw away fruit with soft or rotten spots.

On the left bruised fruit in shadow, on the right banana, orange and mandarin in warm light.
Figure 3.Throw away damaged fruit; choose thick-skinned fruit.

Preparation

Wash your hands, rinse the fruit under running water and cut it with a clean knife. Eat cut fruit within 2 hours or refrigerate it.

On hard days

With mouth sores, acidic fruit (citrus, pineapple) can sting; banana, pear, baked apple and compote are gentler.

Medicines and fruit

Grapefruit, pomelo and sometimes pomegranate juice can interact with medicines. Ask your doctor with each new drug.

05Fruit: four steps

Choose whole fruit, skip pre-cut, cook if you like, eat fresh.

Firm and whole — No mould.1Firm and wholeNo mould.
Buy whole — Not pre-cut at the market.2Buy wholeNot pre-cut at the market.
Cook if you like — Baked apple, compote.3Cook if you likeBaked apple, compote.
Eat fresh — Cut fruit within 2 hours.4Eat freshCut fruit within 2 hours.
Vitamin CEvery day.
FluidJuicy fruit.
SafetyWash and peel.

06Fruit during neutropenia

FoodRiskierSafer
Watermelon, melonCut at the marketWashed and cut at home
BerriesHard to wash, softCooked, in compote (per your team)
Banana, orangeDamagedThick-skinned, peeled
JuicesFresh unpasteurisedPasteurised
Apple, pearWith rotWashed, peeled or baked

* The table is general information; follow your team.

07Key terms

Vitamin C
A vitamin for immunity and tissues.
Potassium
A mineral for heart and muscles.
Pasteurisation
Gentle heating that kills germs.
Thick skin
A protective peelable layer.
Interaction
A food changing how a medicine works.
Compote
A drink of cooked fruit.

08Key points

  • Fruit gives vitamins, potassium and fluid.
  • Wash fruit even if you peel it.
  • Throw away damaged fruit.
  • No pre-cut market fruit.
  • Ask your doctor before grapefruit.
  • Cooked fruit is soft and safe.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I drink fresh-squeezed juice?

During neutropenia pasteurised juice is usually advised. Ask your team about juice made at home.

Is there a lot of sugar in fruit?

Fruit has natural sugar but also fibre and vitamins. If you have diabetes, agree portions with your doctor.

Can I eat dried fruit?

Dried fruit in sealed packs is usually fine; see the separate card.

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 fresh-squeezed juice?

  2. Is there a lot of sugar in fruit?

  3. Can I eat dried fruit?

My questions

12Sources

  1. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts?
  2. U.S. FDA. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  3. U.S. FDA. Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don’t Mix
  4. CDC. Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
  5. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  6. Clinical Nutrition, 2017. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients
  7. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2020. Management of Cancer Cachexia: ASCO Guideline
  8. FoodSafety.gov (U.S. HHS). 4 Steps to Food Safety
  9. FoodSafety.gov (U.S. HHS). Cold Food Storage Chart
  10. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Leftovers and Food Safety
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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