Pancreatic Cancer Diet and Nutrition

Learn more about the nutritional challenges people with pancreatic cancer face, as well as how to maintain your weight and avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies during treatment.

Pancreatic cancer can affect digestion and health in several ways. These are some of the most common nutritional challenges affecting people with this type of cancer.

Digestion Difficulties

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes — proteins that help your body break down fats, sugars, and starches. Cancer interferes with its ability to make these enzymes.

"This dysfunction can lead to significant challenges in breaking down and absorbing essential nutrients, which can contribute to malnutrition," explains Renee E. Stubbins, PhD, an assistant professor of nutritional sciences in medicine at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center.

Weight Loss and Muscle Wasting

"People with pancreatic cancer will typically start to lose a lot of weight, and that really affects their overall well-being," says Dr. Chung.

Glucose Metabolism Issues

People undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer have increased nutritional needs, says Rachael Williams, RDN, a clinical dietitian at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

"Consuming adequate calories can help prevent unintentional weight loss,” she says.

Everyone with pancreatic cancer has different nutritional needs. That's why it's important to work with a registered dietitian, and ideally one who is certified in oncology, who can tailor an eating plan for you.

"A personalized approach is vital, as it directly addresses the individual's nutritional requirements and treatment goals," says Dr. Stubbins.

Choose High-Calorie, Nutrient Dense Foods

Your diet should include protein in every meal (chicken, fish, eggs), healthy fats (peanut butter, olive oil), and high-calorie drinks (milkshakes, smoothies) to help you add weight and preserve muscle.

Eat Smaller Meals

If you have nausea from chemotherapy or you feel full quickly after eating, eat small portions of food every two to three hours instead of three big meals, suggests Williams. She also recommends ginger cookies or candies to combat nausea.

Drink Enough Fluids

Vomiting and diarrhea, as well as high blood sugar, can lead to dehydration. Chung recommends drinking at least 64 ounces of fluid — about 8 glasses — each day, and not just water.

"If you drink water alone, that dilutes the electrolytes in your body." Instead, he suggests adding coconut water or a sports drink to replenish electrolytes. Juice and protein shakes are other good beverage options.

• Protein Because this nutrient helps repair the cells that cancer damages, your protein needs increase during treatment. Good sources include chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, beans, and tofu.
• Healthy Fats Unsaturated fats give you extra calories and help your body absorb more nutrients. Good sources include avocados, fatty fish like salmon, olives and olive oil, nut butters, and seeds.
• Good Carbs Fruits and vegetables are loaded with nutrients, while complex carbs provide your body with fiber. You may need to cut back on foods with insoluble fiber like vegetables and wheat if you have diarrhea because it could make this side effect worse. Soluble fiber (oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, beans) shouldn't bother you. Good sources include berries, apples, oranges, broccoli, onions, kale, quinoa, barley, and farro.

Tips for Better Digestion

Pancreatic enzymes are essential for digestion. If your pancreas no longer makes these enzymes, you'll need to take supplements — what doctors refer to as pancreatic exocrine replacement therapy (PERT).

• Oatmeal
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Chicken and rice soup

• Sugary and processed foods: Not only are cookies, snack chips, and candy low in nutrition, they also wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. "Because you have a tumor in your pancreas, that will impair insulin production, and you may have wild blood sugar swings," says Chung.
• Greasy and fatty foods: Burgers, pizza, and fried chicken are hard to digest and can worsen diarrhea. High-fiber, spicy, and sugar-free foods are also difficult for your compromised digestive system to handle.
• Raw fruits and vegetables: Chemotherapy suppresses your immune system. A weakened immune system offers little defense against E. coli and other bacteria that can hide in raw produce. Consuming foods containing these germs could lead to a life-threatening infection. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them, and cook them if you can. Avoid buffets, and heat foods to the appropriate temperature, suggests Williams.
• Caffeine and alcohol: Both of these can increase your risk of dehydration. You're much safer drinking water and other uncaffeinated and nonalcoholic beverages.

If your diet isn't providing enough calories and nutrients, it might need a boost.

"Nutritional supplements can be very helpful for patients trying to obtain adequate calories and protein during treatment," says Stubbins. She recommends brands like Boost, Ensure, Orgain, and Premier Protein.

As for nutrition that comes in the form of pills or gummies, Williams doesn't recommend them.

"Most supplements have not been appropriately studied in conjunction with cancer treatments," she says.

There's a chance that herbal remedies or other supplements could interfere with your cancer medications or cause harmful side effects. Check with your oncologist before taking any supplement.

A feeding tube won't prevent you from eating food. As long as you can safely eat, the tube will be a supplement to your normal diet. It's also not forever.

"Feeding tubes are not necessarily permanent fixtures,” Williams explains. “Often they're used temporarily to ensure adequate nutrition, and removed once a patient can sustain themselves on an oral diet."

• Pancreatic cancer can affect your body’s digestion and blood sugar metabolism. You'll need to be more mindful about the types of foods you eat.
• To keep up your weight, muscle mass, and nutrition during treatment, it's important to get enough calories, protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs in your diet.
• A dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition can help you create a personalized nutritional plan that factors in your specific dietary needs and food preferences.