There is a stage in the transplant process where patients have lost their old immune system and the new transplanted immune system has not yet taken hold. This condition is referred to as neutropenic. The special diet does not allow, fresh vegetables, salads or raw celery type foods. Fruits are limited to thick skinned fruits, such as melons, oranges, grapefruit and bananas. We do not allow thin skinned fruits such as fresh apples, grapes, pears, or peaches.
Canned fruits are fine, because they have been processed.
Any cooked or canned food is fine, pasteurized products are fine. Another item we do not allow at this time is pepper. Pepper is just a little seed that has been ground. We strive to provide foods low in bacteria while patients are neutropenic. If food is going to be brought from home, there are few restrictions.