Eating right during carcinoid syndrome treatment

Diet and carcinoid syndrome

Leigh Anne K. Burns MS, RD, LDN discusses the importance of nutrition when managing carcinoid syndrome.

What you eat can help you control and improve the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome you experience.

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.

Foods Reported to Provoke Reactions

Foods to avoid and foods to enjoy

CHOOSE

INSTEAD OF

Animal crackers or pretzels

Butter cookies and doughnuts

Bland foods

Spicy foods (curry, hot pepper)

Chicken or turkey (skinless white meat), beef, or ﬁsh

Dairy foods (cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese)

Clear broth (chicken or beet)

Creamy soups

Decaffeinated beverages

Beverages that contain caffeine (coffee, tea, hot chocolate)

Hard candy or pound cake

Caffeinated foods (chocolate candy, brownies)

Jam or jelly

High-fat spreads (butter, cream cheese)

Lactose-free beverages such as soy milk or lactose-free dairy products

Milk

Non-alcoholic beverages

Beverages with alcohol

Noncarbonated drinks

Juices with pulp or carbonated beverages such as clear fruit juices with a lot of ﬁzz

Pedialyte, Gatorade*, and other electrolyte-replacement drinks

High-sugar drinks or carbohydrate-Ioading sports drinks

Rice, pasta, or potatoes without the skin

High-fiber vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and beans

Rice, wheat, or oatmeal cereal

High fiber cereals containing bran or whole grain

Ripe bananas, pureed vegetables, and canned or cooked fruits such as applesauce or pears

Raw vegetables, fresh or dried fruits, pickles, relishes, nuts, and popcorn

Water

Milk

White bread

Whole grain breads

*Pedialyte is a registered trademark of Abbott laboratories. Gatorade is a registered trademark of The Gatorade Company.

It’s important to remember that each person with carcinoid syndrome is unique.

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.

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