The following information is available in more depth from pages 21-28 of your About Carcinoid Nutrition Guide provided by TerSera.
In the previous section, we talked about the different types and causes of diarrhea. To learn more about how to identify the foods and drinks that trigger your diarrhea, you may want to take a close look at your diet. Before you make any changes to your diet, it is important to discuss those changes with your healthcare provider.
Here are some foods to pay attention to:
High-fat Foods
For those with steatorrhea, avoiding high-fat foods my help manage your symptoms.
Some common examples are fried foods, pastries, chips, bacon, and lunch meats.
Spicy Foods
Spicy food can increase the speed at which food moves through the GI tract.
Some common examples are cayenne pepper, black pepper, and mustard.
Amine-rich Foods
Amines are naturally occurring chemicals found in many foods. There are specific amines, called vasoactive amines, like tyramine and histamine, that can potentially trigger symptoms.
Common examples are foods that are aged, fermented, spoiled, or haven’t been properly refrigerated as these foods tend to have high amounts of vasoactive amines. Tomatoes can also be a common trigger as they contain histamines that can cause flushing and affect water absorption in the intestine, resulting in diarrhea.
Note: If you experience a strong reaction to these foods, it might be a good idea to avoid them all together. Some foods that are moderately high may be easier to tolerate if you stick to small portions. Some examples of moderately high-amine foods are drinks containing caffeine, chocolate, and peanuts.
Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks can cause gas. If this is an issue for you, cutting down on soda and soda water may help.
Alcohol
Alcohol is fermented, which makes it high in amines. Alcohol can also increase flushing and cause dehydration.
Track Your Triggers
Tracking your triggers can help you identify and avoid foods that might be making your symptoms worse. You can do this by keeping a food journal, monitoring portion sizes or foods that might be triggers for you, and simplifying your meals to make it easier to determine which ingredients may be triggers.
Want to know more?
Get to know your triggers by tracking your food consistently in your Food Diary and recording any symptoms you experience after eating. Your CNE is available to help you with any questions or concerns you might have surrounding your symptoms. For more information about ‘What are Triggers?’ go to your About Carcinoid Nutrition Guide provided by TerSera.