Foods contain bacteria and other pathogens that may cause infections in people with weak immune system. To lower the risk of getting sick from eating unhealthy foods, people with weak immune systems prefer having a low-bacteria diet. The diet includes food that has fewer bacteria, preventing infections and other illnesses.
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Additionally, there are some food safety guidelines you need to follow to get on a low-bacteria diet successfully. This article will provide you an in-depth knowledge of the food safety guidelines and foods you should include and avoid during a low-bacteria diet. So, read on to find out more about it.
What Is A Low Bacteria Diet?
A low-bacteria diet involves foods that have low amounts of bacteria. It is a meal plan designed to minimize exposure to bacteria and other pathogens that may cause an infection in your body. This type of diet is usually suitable for people who are more prone to getting an infection because their body is not making enough white blood cells due to certain medical conditions.
Your healthcare provider may recommend you to follow low bacteria diet as a precaution. The diet involves choosing and preparing foods that carry the least amount of bacteria and avoiding the foods that have bacteria. It is also essential to wash hands frequently and pay attention to food safety guidelines.
What Foods Can You Eat?
Following are the foods that you can eat in your low-bacteria diet:
- Dairy Products
- Pasteurized milk and yogurt
- Commercially prepared cheese made from pasteurized milk, including mild and medium cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, and swiss cheese
- Fruits And Vegetables
- Pasteurized fruit juice
- Frozen, cooked, and canned vegetables
- Raw vegetables, fruits, and herbs
- Frozen, canned, and dried fruits
- Protein
- Well-cooked eggs, tofu, and egg alternatives
- Canned meat or fish
- Well-cooked meats like beef, turkey, pork, chicken, shellfish, and fish
- Shelled roasted nuts, peanut butter, nuts in baked products, canned or bottled roasted nuts
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Grains
- Cooked and ready-to-eat cereals
- Bagels, bread, muffins, rolls, waffles, and pancakes
- Cooked rice, pasta, and other grains
- Drinks
- Bottled, distilled, tap, and spring water
- Brewed herbal tea made with packaged tea bags
- Brewed and instant tea and coffee prepared with boiling water
Other foods include homemade and refrigerated commercial cookies, pastries, cakes, pie, and pudding. You may also have jelly, syrup, and jam that are refrigerated after opening.
What Foods Should You Avoid?
Following are the foods you should avoid in your low-bacteria diet:
- Dairy Products
- Raw or unpasteurized cheese, milk and milk products, and yogurt
- Cheese that consists of raw vegetables or chili peppers
- Old cheese like brie, sharp cheddar, farmer’s cheese, and feta
- Fruits And Vegetables
- Raw fruits, herbs, and vegetables
- All uncooked or raw vegetable sprouts, including radish, broccoli, and alfalfa
- Salads from a salad bar or deli
- Protein
- Raw meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and tofu
- Foods containing roasted or raw nuts
- Tempeh products
-
Grains
- Bread and cereals with raw grains or nuts
- Raw oats
- Miso products
-
Drinks
- Unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices
- Well water
- Tea prepared with cold water
Some other foods that you should avoid include raw honey, herbal supplements, and a fresh salad containing aged cheese.
Food Safety Tips
Here we will walk you through the food safety tips you must follow when on a low-bacteria diet.
Guidelines on Food Shopping:
When shopping for low-bacteria foods, you must follow some guidelines to avoid any trouble in the future.
- Always check the expiration date on whatever food you pick.
- Remember to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Ask the vendor about how fresh the fruits and vegetables are before picking any.
- Avoid buying food in torn boxes, unsecured plastic wrappers, or dented cans.
- Avoid getting eggs that are broken or not refrigerated.
- Place perishable items immediately in the refrigerator as soon as you get home.
- Refrain from eating food samples at the grocery stores.
How To Prepare Foods Before You Begin Cooking?
Here is how you should prepare low-bacteria foods before cooking them:
- Make sure to wash your hands before preparing your food.
- Thaw frozen food in the microwave or refrigerator. The food must be used immediately after it has been thawed. Refrain from freezing food again after it is thawed.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before cutting them.
- Before opening canned foods, make sure to wash the top of the can with warm water and soap.
- Do not use the same cutting board for vegetables and meats.
How To Cook And Store Foods?
You must bear in mind a few important things when cooking and storing low-bacteria foods. Read below to learn about it:
- Cook poultry to 180 degrees and red meat to 165 degrees. You may get a meat thermometer to be sure the meat is properly cooked.
- In the case of microwave cooking or heating, rotate the dish and stir the food after short intervals.
- Always use a separate spoon for tasting while cooking the food.
- Do not keep food out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, and food with mayonnaise or eggs for more than one hour.
- Discard any food that is kept in the refrigerator for two to three days.
- Divide the leftover food into small portions and keep it in small boxes to store in the refrigerator.
What Should You Avoid When Dining Out?
You must know about the foods you need to avoid taking while you dine out at a restaurant. Here is what you should know:
- Do not take food from salad bars, buffets, food carts, and deli counters.
- Refrain from getting food placed under warming lights.
- Avoid soft-serve ice cream and yogurt.
- Do not take condiments like ketchup or mustard from self-serve vessels. Instead, ask for separate condiment packets.
