Which foods should be avoided during proton treatment

Will you start on ADT days or weeks before radiation? I did two weeks prior, and the pharmacist gave me a short list of foods to avoid. The list is not complete, I supplemented it with AI's responses to my questions on other food items I wasn't sure if okey or to be avoided. My oncologist said the food restrictions are in effect for as long as I take ADT, not just during the radiation period (in my case, SBRT April 9 to 21, 2025)..

From CaliforniaProtons

Foods to Avoid During Proton Radiation for Prostate Cancer
Key foods and ingredients to limit or avoid:
• High-fiber foods: Whole grains, nuts, seeds, and raw vegetables can worsen diarrhea and gas, which are common side effects during radiation.
• Fatty and fried foods: Fried foods, fast food, processed meats (sausages, bacon, hot dogs, salami), and high-fat dairy (ice cream, whole milk, cream) may increase digestive upset and inflammation.
• Spicy foods: These can irritate the digestive tract, especially if you already have gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Highly processed foods and sugars: Minimize refined sugars, pastries, and foods with hydrogenated oils, as they can increase inflammation and are generally less nutritious.
• Gas-producing foods: Beans, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), and excess simple carbohydrates can cause gas and bloating, which may interfere with treatment accuracy.
• Caffeinated drinks: These can worsen dehydration and digestive symptoms.
• Unpasteurized or raw foods: To reduce infection risk, avoid raw fish, unpasteurized cheeses, and undercooked eggs.
• Excess alcohol and salt: Both can worsen side effects and overall health during treatment.

I was injected Eligard on March 18. No person told me about foods to avoid issues. Last week I received a guidance about foods to avoid. I used ChatGPT to search which kinds food should be avoided. But the search results cause me confusion, so I am looking help here. Thanks for your help.

I'm on day 21 of 28 proton treatments and I'm still trying to figure out what to eat. I've tried to avoid everything that Jeff mentioned above, most of which I wasn't eating anyway, but that doesn't leave a whole lot. I'm now eating salmon and chicken, with baked potatoes, or rice. Maybe some cooked carrots. Hard boiled eggs. First two weeks I had no issues. Third week started with upset stomach a bit, made a big mistake and had pizza Friday night, and then massive diarrhea, which went away after two days. Now some gurgling whenever I eat. I take Beano but not sure if it does anything, still trying to control the gas. And I'm loosing weight, even on Orgovyx. But even given all that, I feel pretty good most of the time. 7 more treatments and then maybe back to a normal diet. Good luck with your diet search and treatment.

@jeffmarc Your post on foods to avoid during radiation is very helpful. I planned to ask you if the diet restrictions are only "during radiation." That's what I thought, but I asked my oncologist weeks ago and the answer was, "as long as you're on ADT."
I still had doubts. But in @daveinflorida 's experience, he had diarrhea on the third week of his 28-fraction radiation treatment after he ate pizza. I am on my third week post-radiation, so I still follow my diet restrictions. And just now, it clicked to my mind: It was the pharmacist who first communicated to me the diet restrictions, before dispensing my Orgovyx, two weeks before my radiation treatment started. Now it makes sense that my oncologist who wrote the prescription says before and long after the last day of radiation, the diet applies. Does it?
Hopefully, I will be off Orgovyx after 8 or 12 months. Would it be better to wait until then before eating whatever and everything I want. I suggest the more replies we get, the better informed we'll be in this regard.

I have never had diet restrictions at any time. I had seven weeks of radiation and was never told don’t eat this or don’t eat that. After eight years on ADT, I can assure you I have never been told I had to eat a certain diet. I have cut back on a lot of things that I don’t know aren’t good for me, But I have eaten almost all the things on that list since taking ADT.

I have cut way back on red meat and almost never eat processed meats, Because I just aren’t good things to eat when you have prostate cancer, unrelated to ADT

Thanks, Jeff!
I am leaving this weekend for a Disney Cruise and a cast member has already agreed to accommodate my diet restrictions, said to just remind them in person when I get on board. I will leave it at that and not take risks at this time.
When I get home, I will start cautiously experimenting on foods, expand my heretofore limited menu. As I said earlier, in the beginning my understanding was that I had to avoid certain foods in preparation for the radiation therapy, and I was somewhat surprised when told that the restrictions continue beyond the 5-fraction treatment period. That said, it will be interesting to hear about what a few others in this forum have to say.

According to the dietary guidelines for proton therapy, I’m not able to eat any fruits or vegetables, and I’m concerned about meeting my nutritional needs. Would it be acceptable to use a protein powder supplement? I purchase powder from Costco. I’d appreciate any suggestions you can provide.

I started Orgovyx 2 months before the radiation treatment started and no one, either MO, RO or pharmacist, said anything about modifying my diet until I started actual radiation. Then I was told to eat a low gas, low residue diet - low fiber, limited fruits and veggies, no caffeine, etc - with the goal of having an empty rectum and no gas during treatment. I ate the pizza in Friday night as a cheat night, won't be doing that again.

I use protein powder every day, and never noticed any gas from it at all. That is what they’re trying to stop. I don’t see where fruits are a problem and they say some vegetables can be a problem if eaten raw or cooked.

Seven weeks of radiation they never told me about any food requirements. Never had a problem with gas, Maybe one time out of the seven weeks my bladder wasn’t that the right level so I had to drink some water.