Swiss cuisine

Birchermüesli (soaked oat muesli)

Oats soaked overnight in milk or yoghurt with grated apple and nuts.

With care: in a safer version

Birchermüesli (soaked oat muesli) — Swiss cuisine. Photograph of the dish.

Ingredients

rolled oats
milk or yoghurt
apple
lemon juice
hazelnuts
honey
berries

How it is prepared

Oats soak in milk in the fridge; grated apple and nuts are added in the morning — it is not cooked.

Food safety with low immunity

Use only pasteurised milk, yoghurt, cream and cheese.
Wash fruit well and peel it where possible. Do not use bruised or mouldy fruit.
Nuts should be fresh, packaged and mould-free; do not use old nuts or nuts with damaged shells.

How to prepare it during treatment

Not cooked: raw fruit and berries may be restricted during neutropenia. Safer version: cook the oats as porridge in pasteurised milk and add baked apple and pasteurised honey.

Your diet during treatment is agreed with your doctor. Sample 7-day menu for the treatment period →

Storage

Make it fresh, keep it chilled and eat it the same day. Do not leave it out on the table.

Reheating

Eaten cold — not reheated. That is why freshness and the fridge matter.

Symptoms it may suit

Constipation. Fibre (pulses, vegetables, grains) may help with constipation — together with enough fluids.
Low appetite. Gives a lot of energy and protein in a small portion — can help when appetite is low.

These are general observations: what suits you can change from day to day.

Treatment phases

Before treatmentmay suit
During a coursemay suit
Low counts (neutropenia)Only in the safer version and if your team agreesmay suit
Between coursesmay suit
After treatmentmay suit

Phase notes are general. During low counts, follow only your care team’s food rules.

If you have other conditions

Stomach and gut. High in fibre. With bowel inflammation, diarrhoea or after bowel surgery, discuss suitability with your team.
Stomach and gut. Contains dairy. With lactose intolerance or bowel problems, discuss suitability with your team.
Diabetes, Obesity. A sweet dish. With diabetes or weight concerns, discuss portion size with your team.

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Nutrition figures from a reliable source have not been added for this dish yet.

More from this cuisine

Switzerland: food database →

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
FoodSafety.gov (U.S. HHS). Cook to a Safe Minimum Internal Temperature
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Leftovers and Food Safety
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
Food Standards Agency (UK). Chilling
World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food manual
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Eating Hints: Before, during, and after Cancer Treatment
BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2019. Neutropenic diets to prevent cancer infections: updated systematic review and meta-analysis
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). FoodData Central — Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS)

Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

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