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Weight loss is a common problem for people with pancreatic cancer – it can be associated with treatment or with the cancer itself.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s (PanCAN) Patient Services team offers patients diet and nutrition tips that may help control weight loss, including:
- Eating six to eight small meals/snacks throughout the day
- Eating calorie-rich, nutrient-dense foods
- Restricting or avoiding foods that may cause or worsen diarrhea
- Asking a doctor or dietitian whether pancreatic enzyme replacement products maybe be helpful
- Maintaining adequate hydration
Since each individual patient has different nutritional needs, we recommend patients consult with a registered dietitian for nutritional advice.
For today’s Friday Fix, we consulted with Maria Petzel, Jeannine Mills and Katrina Claghorn, dietitians who specialize in pancreatic cancer, about which foods to eat to gain weight. Here are their recommendations:
For protein:
- Nuts, seeds and nut butters (as tolerated)
- Whole milk yogurt or non-dairy yogurts (for example, those that are coconut-based)
- Full-fat dairy products (consider also using half-and-half in place of milk)
- Egg/tuna/ham/chicken salad on sandwiches or on crackers
- Protein bars
- Cream cheese
For healthy fats*:
- Avocado
- Guacamole
- Olives
- Mayonnaise
*Patients should discuss with their healthcare team, as they may need to take more enzymes to compensate for these increased fats.
For carbohydrates:
- Pasta and grains, like farro and barley (great as an addition to soups)
- Cereal (as a meal or snack)
- Dried fruit
- Granola
- Wheatgerm
- Smoothies
- Potatoes/sweet potatoes
- Winter squash
Recipes incorporating some of these ingredients include:
Apple Butternut Squash Pancakes
Sweet Potato and White Bean Fritters
