Dietitian Tips: What Pancreatic Cancer Patients Should Avoid During Rainy Season

Comprehending the Issue

The rainy season brings a refreshing change in weather but also creates a higher risk of infections, digestive issues, and low immunity for patients with pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption, and the ability to digest and absorb food becomes easier to change when it has been affected by cancer.

That means dietary management during the monsoon season is not simply what to eat during this time; it is also about what to stay away from as well!

In this guide, our dietitians have put together some key dietary considerations during the rainy season that patients with pancreatic cancer may want to focus on to help maintain strength, health, immunity, and general well-being.

1. Fried and Oily Foods

Digestion slows down naturally during the rainy season, and high-fat foods can put an extra burden on the digestive system. Fried snacks including samosas, bhajis, and pakoras are tempting but they tend to be harder to digest and can cause nausea, bloating, or diarrhea, especially in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Instead:

• Consider eating foods that are lightly steamed or grilled.
• Use little oil (for example, olive oil or rice bran oil would be the best).
• Have home-cooked food instead of street food.

2. Dairy and Creamy Foods

During the rainy season, cancer treatments (like chemotherapy) can change how the pancreas handles fats or lactose. Foods made with a lot of dairy (like creams, cheese, paneer, or sweets made with milk) can create gas, indigestion, and abdominal pain during high humidity.
Substitutes can include:

• Lactose-free milk or plant-based alternatives like almond (milk) or oat (milk).
• Curd (probiotics) in moderation.
• You do not want to reheat dishes that are made with dairy because they spoil very quickly in the damp conditions.Refrain From Raw Salads and Street Food

Rain can carry bacteria, and damp conditions promote growth of microbiological organisms. If vegetables, sprouts, or street foods are washed in contaminated water, they can cause stomach infections and food poisoning, which can be serious for an immunocompromised patient. 
What to look for: 

• Always wash vegetables in warm or filtered water.
• Either steam or sauté vegetables instead of eating them raw.
• Completely stop roadside juices, chaats, or salads.

3. Say No to Sugary and Processed Foods

Processed snacks, sweets, and sugary drinks can spike blood sugars and alter pancreatic function, resulting in weakened immunity- and increase the healing process and recovery to cancer. 
 

What to look for: 

• Whole fruits such as papaya, apples, or pomegranates (wash fruit).
• Herbal tea or warm water. Stay away from cold beverages.
• Avoid sugary packaged foods, bakery items, and energy drinks.

4. Eat Meat, Fish, or Eggs with Caution

Animal proteins can be a significant source of nutrition; however, during the monsoon season, the risk of meat and fish being contaminated becomes a significant risk due to storage and transportation of meat and fish, which can lead to gastrointestinal illness. 

What to look for: 

• Look for freshly cooked lean meat or boiled eggs. 
• Avoid all seafood during peak rainy season. 
• Eat fully cooked animal products that have been stored properly. 
   

5. Say No to Cold and Leftover Foods

Cold foods or leftovers are bacterial culture mediums, and they are especially dangerous in high humidity.For pancreatic cancer survivors with a sensitive digestive tract, this can lead to stomach upsets or even foodborne infection.

Please adhere to these recommendations:

• Eat freshly cooked warm meals. 
• Refrain from consuming any leftovers washed up in the fridge for more than 12 hours. 
• Store your food in airtight containers to minimize condensation from wetness in food. 

6. Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which can dehydrate you also leading to increased fatigue and nausea while recovering from pancreatic cancer. 

Furthermore, alcohol puts stress on the pancreas and complicates recovery. 

Safer options include: 

• Herbal tea like ginger, tulsi and chamomile. 
• Warm drinking water with a splash of lemon or mint. 
• If permitted by your oncologist, small amounts of coconut water (only from a clean source) are better than juice or soda. 

7. Be Careful with Contaminated Water

Clean filtered water is critical during monsoon season. Contaminated water can easily result in cholera, typhoid or gastroenteritis which can be potentially dangerous for cancer patients with poor immunity.
Best Practice: 

• Use boiled or filtered water to drink. 
• Avoid ice cubes in your drinks, as well as flavored drinks made from tap water. 
• Bring your own water bottle when going out. 

8. Avoid Spicy and Sour Food 

• Eating too many spices and sour foods can irritate the stomach lining and cause acid reflux, which is common in pancreatic cancer patients. 
• Food such as pickles, citrus fruits, tamarind, or anything pickled will need to be reduced this season. 

Gentler Alternatives: 

• Make food tastier with mild herbs such as basil, cumin, and coriander. 
• If tolerated, tame the sourness of tamarind with a bit of curd, or bring the tartness down with some lemon. 

9. Eat Small and Frequent 

Heavy meals put additional stress on your digestive system. Instead of eating three large meals, pancreatic cancer patients will do better distributing their calories, by eating about 5 - 6 small meals of nutrient-dense items throughout the day. 

Suggested Monsoon Diet Pattern: 

• In the morning: Warm water + light porridge or oats
• Midday: steamed rice + dal + soft-cooked vegetables
• In the evening: herbal tea + boiled sweet potato
• At Dinner: soup + khichdi + boiled vegetables

10.Eat smart and stay safe

• A balanced assortment of food during the monsoon season, is key in support of energy, immunity, and gut health, while undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. 
• Avoiding oily raw or processed foods, and keeping your food freshly prepared and less aggressive on the gut will be phenomenal to your comfort and speed of recovering from disease. 
• If you or someone you care about is on treatment for pancreatic cancer, please consult with a registered dietician or oncologist prior to making any major dietary changes.

 
At GEM Hospital, our expert team provides individualized guidance, in pancreatic cancer nutrition and treatment, appropriate for each phase of recovery. 

Book an appointment today at GEM Hospital for your individual nutrition plan and comprehensive treatment of pancreatic cancer.