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Germany: Cuisine

German cooking is rich in soups, slow-cooked dishes, potatoes and bread, and much of it can be adapted to the treatment period.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, Eintopf and bread.
Figure 1.German table — Germany: Cuisine

01Short answer

Everyday meals include Eintopf (a thick soup-stew), potato soup, braised meat (Braten, Gulasch), Spätzle, potato dishes, bread and cheese. The key principle: well-cooked, hot, freshly made food is safer. Raw minced pork (Mett, Hackepeter), raw-milk (Rohmilch) cheeses, and raw or cold-smoked fish are usually not recommended during neutropenia.

02Simple explanation

Hot and cooked: safer.

Mett: raw meat, risky.

Rohmilch: raw milk, risky.

03Scientific explanation

Listeria: the BfR warns vulnerable groups about raw animal foods.

Hygiene: the WHO five keys apply at home too.

04What happens in the body?

Family table

Eintopf and soups are soft and well cooked.

Slow cooking

Serve Gulasch and Braten hot.

On a dark navy background, a pot in an oven.
Figure 2.Steaming pot — Germany: Cuisine

Avoid

Mett and Hackepeter are usually not recommended during neutropenia.

On a dark navy background, Mett behind a line.
Figure 3.Item to avoid — Germany: Cuisine

05Choosing a dish

Four questions.

Cooked? — Fully.1Cooked?Fully.
Raw meat? — Mett: no.2Raw meat?Mett: no.
Hot? — Steaming.3Hot?Steaming.
Label? — No Rohmilch.4Label?No Rohmilch.
FlavourHome dishes stay.
SafetyRisky ones set apart.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Family tableEintopf and soups are soft and well cooked.
Slow cookingServe Gulasch and Braten hot.
AvoidMett and Hackepeter are usually not recommended during neutropenia.

07Key terms

Eintopf
Thick soup-stew.
Mett
Raw minced pork.
Rohmilch
Raw milk.
Spätzle
Egg noodles.

08Key points

  • Eat food hot.
  • Read the label.
  • Avoid Mett.
  • Chill leftovers quickly.
  • Reheat leftovers once.

09Frequently asked questions

Is hard cheese allowed?

Hard cheese made from pasteurised milk is usually possible; ask your team.

Bratwurst?

Safer when fully cooked and hot.

Deli salads (Feinkostsalat)?

Better avoided during neutropenia.

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. Is hard cheese allowed?

  2. Bratwurst?

  3. Deli salads (Feinkostsalat)?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food
  2. FoodSafety.gov (U.S.). Food Safety for People with Cancer
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  5. Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR). Official website
  6. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (DGE). Official website (in German)
  7. ZorgkaartNederland. Find care providers (in Dutch)
  8. Hematologie Nederland. Official website (in Dutch)
  9. HOVON (Dutch-Belgian Hemato-Oncology Foundation). Official website
  10. CBG-MEB (Medicines Evaluation Board). Official website
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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