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Netherlands: Local fruit and vegetables

Local fruit and vegetables such as apples, pears, strawberries, carrots, cabbage, endive and witlof are widely available in the Netherlands. During treatment, rules for washing, peeling and cooking matter.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, fruit in a crate.
Figure 1.Apples and pears — Netherlands: Local fruit and vegetables

01Short answer

Markets and supermarkets have plenty of seasonal apples, pears, cherries, carrots, boerenkool (curly kale), endive, leeks and witlof. During treatment, choose whole, undamaged fruit, wash it well under running water and peel it when possible. Hard-to-wash berries, raw salads and raw sprouts (taugé) may be limited during neutropenia; cooked vegetable dishes are a good alternative.

02Simple explanation

Whole: undamaged.

Wash: under running water.

Cook: the greens.

03Scientific explanation

Sprouts: the FDA advises at-risk groups to avoid raw sprouts.

Water: wash with safe water; Dutch tap water is usually suitable.

04What happens in the body?

Local fruit

Apples and pears are whole, firm-skinned and easy to wash.

Cooked vegetables

Boerenkool and carrots cook through well in stamppot.

On a dark navy background, kale and carrots in a pot.
Figure 2.Cooked vegetables — Netherlands: Local fruit and vegetables

Washing

Rinse fruit under running water before cutting.

On a dark navy background, apples under water.
Figure 3.Washing — Netherlands: Local fruit and vegetables

05The fruit and vegetable rule

Four steps.

Whole — Choose it.1WholeChoose it.
Wash — Running water.2WashRunning water.
Peel — Thick skin.3PeelThick skin.
Cook — Greens.4CookGreens.
VitaminsA colourful table.
SafetyLower risk.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Local fruitApples and pears are whole, firm-skinned and easy to wash.
Cooked vegetablesBoerenkool and carrots cook through well in stamppot.
WashingRinse fruit under running water before cutting.

07Key terms

Boerenkool
Curly kale.
Witlof
Witlof (chicory).
Taugé
Bean sprouts.
Andijvie
Endive.

08Key points

  • Skip damaged fruit.
  • Wash before cutting.
  • Do not eat taugé raw.
  • Eat cut fruit straight away.
  • Ask about grapefruit.

09Frequently asked questions

Are strawberries allowed?

They are hard to wash; ask your team during neutropenia.

Pre-cut fruit?

During neutropenia it is better to wash and cut whole fruit at home.

Frozen vegetables?

A good choice once cooked.

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. Are strawberries allowed?

  2. Pre-cut fruit?

  3. Frozen vegetables?

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. World Health Organization (WHO). Drinking-water — fact sheet
  5. Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre). Official website (in Dutch)
  6. Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology. Hematology
  7. Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology. Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
  8. Clinics of Belarus. Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology
  9. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Moldova. Authorities drop plans for a leukemia transplant centre in Chisinau and look for solutions in Romania, 2024 (in Romanian)
  10. Institute of Oncology (Chisinau). Official website (in Romanian)
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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