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Nutrition and daily life

Banana — fruit card: soft energy

The banana has a thick skin that is peeled away and soft flesh, making it one of the easiest fruits during treatment. This card covers its benefits and when caution is needed.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A bunch of ripe bananas and slices on a dark board.
Figure 1.Bananas, soft energy.

01Short answer

Bananas provide energy, potassium and soluble fibre. Because the thick skin is peeled away, they are often a convenient choice during neutropenia; wash the skin before peeling. A ripe banana is soft and can be eaten with mouth sores or nausea. It may help with diarrhoea. Bananas are high in potassium: with kidney problems or high potassium, agree the amount with your doctor.

02Simple explanation

Bananas: soft energy.

Thick skin is peeled away.

Rich in potassium.

A gentle choice with diarrhoea.

03Scientific explanation

USDA: a medium banana has about 400 mg of potassium; with weak kidney function potassium can build up.

WHO: at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day is recommended; during treatment the amount may vary with appetite and your doctor’s advice.

FDA: wash produce under running water before cutting or peeling, because a knife can carry germs from the skin into the flesh.

04What happens in the body?

Mouth sores and nausea

Mashed banana, with yogurt or porridge, is easy to swallow.

Banana mashed with a fork in a white bowl.
Figure 2.Mashed banana is easy to swallow.

Diarrhoea

Banana, rice and apple purée are gentle foods that many people tolerate with diarrhoea; remember fluids.

Banana slices, white rice and apple purée.
Figure 3.A gentle plate for diarrhoea.

Washing and peeling

Wash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.

Cut fruit

Keep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

05Fruit: four steps

Whole fruit, swap bruised, wash and peel, eat cut fruit soon.

Whole fruit — No spots.1Whole fruitNo spots.
Not bruised — Fresh and whole.2Not bruisedFresh and whole.
Wash and peel — Running water.3Wash and peelRunning water.
Eat soon — Fridge, 1 day.4Eat soonFridge, 1 day.
VitaminsA natural source.
FibreFor the gut.
SafetyWashing.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Mouth sores and nauseaMashed banana, with yogurt or porridge, is easy to swallow.
DiarrhoeaBanana, rice and apple purée are gentle foods that many people tolerate with diarrhoea; remember fluids.
Washing and peelingWash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.
Cut fruitKeep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

07Key terms

Potassium
A mineral important for heart rhythm.
Hyperkalaemia
High potassium in the blood.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils, raising infection risk.
Potassium
A mineral for the heart and muscles.
Fibre
The part of plants that helps the gut work.

08Key points

  • Bananas are convenient.
  • Wash before peeling.
  • Watch potassium with kidney disease.
  • Wash under running water.
  • Eat cut fruit soon.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I eat bananas during neutropenia?

Usually yes: washed, peeled and unblemished.

How many a day?

Agree it with your doctor based on potassium and sugar.

Does this fruit treat leukemia?

No. It is a pleasant part of eating, not a treatment.

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 eat bananas during neutropenia?

  2. How many a day?

  3. Does this fruit treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  2. U.S. FDA. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  3. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts?
  4. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  5. USDA. FoodData Central
  6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About C. diff
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Appetite Loss and Cancer Treatment
  9. American Cancer Society. Nutrition for People with Cancer
  10. World Health Organization (WHO). Healthy diet — fact sheet
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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