← Back
Countries

Germany: Local dishes

This chapter sorts popular German dishes into two groups from a general safety point of view during treatment.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, potato soup and goulash.
Figure 1.Soup and goulash — Germany: Local dishes

01Short answer

Usually safer choices: potato and lentil soup, Eintopf, slow-braised Gulasch and Rinderbraten, a fully fried Schnitzel, fresh Spätzle and Kartoffelpuffer, a fully cooked Bratwurst, and an omelette with fully set eggs. Risky and usually avoided during neutropenia: Mett and Hackepeter, Matjes and other lightly cured herring, cold-smoked salmon, Rohmilch cheeses, and Feinkost salads that have stood for a long time.

02Simple explanation

Slow-cooked: safer.

Matjes: risky.

Mett: risky.

03Scientific explanation

Meat: FoodSafety.gov advises people with weakened immunity to cook meat thoroughly.

Fish: the BfR warns vulnerable groups about cold-smoked and raw fish.

04What happens in the body?

Everyday choice

Potato soup and goulash are simple and well cooked.

Fresh from the pan

Eat Schnitzel fresh and hot.

On a dark navy background, a schnitzel in a pan.
Figure 2.Fresh Schnitzel — Germany: Local dishes

Avoid

Matjes and cold-smoked salmon are usually not recommended during neutropenia.

On a dark navy background, herring and salmon behind a line.
Figure 3.Fish to avoid — Germany: Local dishes

05Choosing a dish

Four questions.

Fully cooked? — No pink inside.1Fully cooked?No pink inside.
Fresh? — Straight from the pan.2Fresh?Straight from the pan.
Raw fish? — Matjes: no.3Raw fish?Matjes: no.
Eggs? — Fully set.4Eggs?Fully set.
FlavourFavourite dishes stay.
SafetyRisky ones set apart.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Everyday choicePotato soup and goulash are simple and well cooked.
Fresh from the panEat Schnitzel fresh and hot.
AvoidMatjes and cold-smoked salmon are usually not recommended during neutropenia.

07Key terms

Gulasch
Goulash.
Kartoffelpuffer
Potato fritters.
Matjes
Lightly cured herring.
Räucherlachs
Smoked salmon.

08Key points

  • Cook meat fully.
  • Eat Schnitzel hot.
  • No Matjes.
  • No Mett.
  • No Rohmilch.

09Frequently asked questions

Is Bratwurst allowed?

Safer when fully cooked and hot; ask your team.

Sauerkraut?

Cooked and hot is the safer choice.

Feinkost salads?

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 Bratwurst allowed?

  2. Sauerkraut?

  3. Feinkost salads?

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. Rijksoverheid. Geneesmiddelen (in Dutch)
  7. Sanquin. Official website
  8. Matchis. Dutch stem cell donor centre (in Dutch)
  9. CAK. Official website (in Dutch)
  10. Patiëntenfederatie Nederland. Official website (in Dutch)
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →