Leigh Anne K. Burns MS, RD, LDN discusses the importance of nutrition when managing carcinoid syndrome.
With neuroendocrine tumors, smart nutrition may not necessarily be the same as the “balanced diet” you needed before your NET diagnosis.
Your doctors and other members of your healthcare team, such as a dietitian, can help you determine a diet that’s right for you; however there are some common foods you may want to avoid.
You will want to avoid foods that contain high levels of serotonin, such as some nuts, bananas, pineapples and tomatoes, especially before having a 5-HIAA urine test.
Avoid foods that contain high amounts of mines, nitrogen-containing organic compounds, as they can trigger the release of serotonin and other hormones. These foods include fatty meats, smoked or salted fish, aged cheeses, and even chocolate.
There are other changes you can make to your diet to better manage symptoms. For instance, you will want to consider portion size in your meals, as smaller, more frequent meals will be easier for your body to digest. This may lessen the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome you experience.
Spicy foods, caffeine, fructose, and alcoholic beverages should be phased out of your diet to help you manage carcinoid syndrome symptoms.
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Your doctors and other members of your healthcare team, such as a dietitian, will help you determine a diet that’s right for you.
Leigh Ann K. Burns MS, RD, LDN, outlines key factors in developing a proper nutrition program.
Find resources, including videos, articles, and support information in our carcinoid syndrome resource library.
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