Low Fiber Diet

Patients undergoing Cyberknife Treatment for prostate cancer will be instructed to follow a gas-eliminating diet.

The purpose of this diet is to attempt to eliminate as much motion within the pelvis due to bladder filling, digestion, and gas production. The prostate is actually a moving target during radiation treatments, and all men should have some form of motion management which will result in less side effects. Options for motion management include:

The use of an inflatable rectal balloon
Placement of fiducial markers into the prostate which can be used to monitor prostate motion between and in some cases during radiation treatment
Low fiber diet
Bowel Prep
The use of an implantable spacer
Treating with an empty bladder

Most Radiation Oncology clinics will use some combination of the above methods - we happen to believe that the combination of a low fiber diet, bowel prep, and consistent bladder filling is the most effective, lowest risk, and most comfortable for patients.

Diet Preparation for Planning and Treatment of Prostate Cancer with CyberKnife Radiosurgery

A low fiber diet limits the amount of dietary fiber and residue-providing food in your diet. Fiber is the part of plant foods (such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains) that your body cannot digest.

Following a low-fiber diet that limits fiber intake to 10 grams or less per day improves the quality of your scan and treatment by helping to decrease the amount of gas and stool bulk, thus less prostate movement.

Imaging Scans

Follow a low fiber diet for 2 days prior to your appointment for imaging scans. You may stop the diet once the imaging scans have been completed.
Take simethicone (Gas-X) 4 times a day while following the low fiber diet. Take Gas-X after breakfast, lunch and dinner and at bedtime.
Gas may also be caused by swallowing too much air as you eat and drink. To avoid swallowing too much air; eat slowly, chew with your mouth closed, avoid talking while eating or chewing and avoid straws and chewing gum.
Adequate fluid intake is very important to make sure you stay well hydrated. However, one hour prior to imaging and one hour prior to each scheduled treatment, limit your fluids intake to 12 ounces. Empty your bladder prior to the imaging scans.

Treatment for Prostate CyberKnife Radiosurgery

2 days prior to the start of the treatment, you will need to restart the low fiber diet and continue during the 5-day treatment.
Take Simethicon (Gas-X) 4 times a day while following the low fiber diet. Take Gas-X after breakfast, lunch, and dinner and at bedtime.
Gas may also be caused by swallowing too much air as you eat or drink. To avoid swallowing too much air eat slowly, chew with your mouth closed, avoid talking while eating or chewing and avoid straws and chewing gum.
Adequate fluid intake is very important to make sure you stay well hydrated. However, one hour prior to imaging and one hour prior to each scheduled treatment, limit your fluid intake to 12 ounces. Empty your bladder prior to each treatment.
Upon completion of treatment, follow the guidelines under the section, After Completion of Prostate CyberKnife Radiosurgery to minimize side effects of transitioning back to a normal diet.

After Completion of Prostate CyberKnife Radiosurgery

After completion of treatment, you may begin to gradually resume your normal diet over a period of 1-2 weeks. Remember that SLOWLY adding fiber and roughage back into your diet after treatment will help to minimize gas and improve bowel regularity.
A reasonable goal is to add 5 grams of fiber every 2 days until you reach a target of 35-40 grams per day. A list, Fiber Content of Foods is provided as a guide to help you make appropriate choices as you transition back to your normal diet.
Limit high fat, greasy foods as you transition back to a regular diet, as these types of foods can often contribute to frequent, loose stools following treatment.

Gas-Eliminating Diet by Food Groups

Possible causes of gas and tips for management:

Diarrhea, constipation or other changes in bowel function.
Drinking milk and dairy foods if you have trouble digesting lactose, the natural sugar in milk.

If you are lactose intolerance, choose lower lactose dairy foods like yogurt,

sweet acidophilus milk, or reduced-lactose milk.

Swallowing too much air as you eat or drink may cause gas.
- Eat slowly and chew with your mouth closed.
- Avoid talking while eating or chewing.
- Avoid carbonated beverages and beer.
- Avoid drinking with straws and chewing gum.

Foods high in fiber content usually cause gas.

Avoid the gas causing foods listed below.

Gas Elimination Diet Sample Menu Suggestions

Breakfast

Scrambled egg whites
White toast or English muffin with small amount of margarine, jam, jelly or honey
Lean bacon, cooked crisp and drained
Orange juice or other allowed fruit juice
Dry cereal with allowed fresh berries and milk
Yogurt with allowed fresh fruit
Toasted bagel with cream cheese or peanut butter
Pancakes or waffles with small amount margarine and syrup

Lunch

Sandwich with lean meat such as roast beef, turkey, chicken or ham
Soup, such as chicken noodle, tomato or vegetable containing allowed ingredients
Fruit cocktail
Chicken salad, pimento cheese, ham salad or tuna salad made with allowed ingredients
Fresh fruit cup with allowed fruits
Chef salad with allowed vegetables, grilled chicken & salad dressing in moderation

Dinner

Lean meat, chicken or fish (baked, broiled, roasted or grilled)
Mashed potatoes
Vegetable such as green beans, zucchini & yellow squash, peas
Fresh fruit
Pasta with meat sauce (made with allowed ingredients)
Toasted French bread
Lettuce salad made with allowed ingredients / salad dressing

Snack Ideas

Cheese and crackers
Smooth peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Smoothies made with yogurt, milk and allowed fruits
String cheese
Fresh orange slices or fruit cup with allowed fruits
Carrot sticks with ranch dip
Pimento cheese and crackers
Pretzels and smooth peanut butter or other types of nut butters
Protein bars (avoid the high fiber bars)