Im cooking for someone undergoing chemo-therapy. Is microwving frsh vegetables sufficient 2 remove bacteria?

Question

or do I need to boil fresh vegs?
Thank you.

thank you both so far
HelmutCheese: Oddly enough RAW is considered out of the question!

Thank you everyone.
Panda, You told me everything I need to know to get through today and then some. Thanks for your very thorough answer.

Answer 1

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or any type of treatment often have immune compromised systems. You need to be aware of how you handle any type of raw vegetables and fresh fruit . .especially before they are given to a cancer patient. A normally healthy person can fight off the ordinary types of bacteria found on vegetables and fruits, but a cancer patient may be at risk if they are in treatment. Usually the nurse will warn you if the patients is neutrapenic or what precautions to take. Here are some general rules to remember. Raw vegetables should be probably be avoided until it is safer for the patient. Raw fruits with a pourous surface should be avoided (strawberries) but fruit that can be peeled may be alright as long as someone else peels it for the patient. Any kind of vegetable or fruit should be well washed for the cancer patient. Vegetables can be boiled or steamed

"All fresh produce (whether organic, natural or general produce) may carry dangerous bacteria or other organisms that can cause food borne illness. Bacterial contamination can occur in the fields from the use of natural fertilizers (such as animal manure) or from human contact during produce harvesting, transporting and in the grocery store. The term “organic” or “natural” refers to growing without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and has no relationship to the cleanliness of the produce."

Cancer patients in treatment should avoid all unwashed vegetables and herbs. Never eat raw sprouts of any kind. Do not eat raw salads from deli's or restaurants. Avoid homemade salsa and goods. Avoid unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices as they may harbor bacteria harmful to a cancer patient.

What we do is follow the creed "When in doubt . . throw it out" Keep your fridge clean and leave no left over food more than a week. Be ever mindful that what might be okay for a healthy immune system could turn deadly for a cancer patient.

The Unwelcome Dinner Guest: Preventing Foodborne Illness
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/dinguest.html

Microwaving, boiling, or steaming or all methods that are okay to use.

Answer 2

Errm, well washed veg should be fine...BUT I would not recommend microwaving. Although good for reheating it is not such a great way to cook from raw -- too patchy ...BUT, microwaving with a little water in a covered bowl will achieve a similar effect to boiling but is less effective than simply steaming veg over boiling water in a steamer or a heat proof sieve or colander with a lid over it.

There is some discussion about how microwaves MIGHT be less good for anyone let alone those who are unwell and have a serious illness they are being treated for...
http://www.mindfully.org/Food/Irradiate-Microwave-Effects-FoodMay96.htm

NB Raw veg is probably even better for them!

Answer 3

Microwaving is fine. Cover the glass dish containing the vegetables. Microwave about 1.5 minutes per serving of fresh vegetables (works for corn, carrots, broccoli, etc.). You can put a small amount of water in the bottom of the bowl to have a more steam-like approach.

Answer 4

As long as veg is washed it should be bacteria free, organic veg contain no pesticides which you can't wash out of ordinary veg. If your cooking the veg then steaming them is the best as it keeps all the nutrients inside if you don't do that then lightly boiling them is the next best thing.

Answer 5

actually, it isn't the bacteria that cause the problem, it is the toxins those bacteria create...so just killing them isn't sufficient. Fresh vegetables need to be thoroughly washed and then cooked in any manner you choose, frankly I prefer steaming.