7 Foods To Avoid With A Pituitary Tumor: What To Eat Instead

Being diagnosed with a medical condition can make you consider how the foods you eat impact your body.

You may wonder if foods worsen or improve your condition. 

Keep reading to learn more about pituitary tumors, the top foods to avoid, and what to eat instead to prevent treatment side effects and promote overall hormone health. 

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What Is A Pituitary Tumor?

Tumors are abnormal cell growths that can be benign (not cancerous) or cancerous.

A pituitary tumor grows in the pituitary gland—a small gland behind the eyes near the bottom of the brain.

About one in ten people will be diagnosed with a pituitary tumor at some point in their life.

Almost all are benign (not cancerous) tumors but can cause unpleasant side effects due to their location. 

A pituitary tumor may:

• Press on the nearby brain and nerves.
• Grow into neighboring structures (like the skull or the sinuses).
• Make excess hormones depending on the type and location of the tumor. 

Laboratory tests are conducted to determine the type of pituitary tumor (there are two main, benign types).

The tests help determine which hormones are impacted and to what extent. Healthcare providers can then provide proper medications to help correct the imbalance if needed. 

The treatment goals are to: 

• Reduce excess hormone secretion and its side effects.
• Decrease tumor size.
• Correct hormone deficiencies. 

Common medication treatment side effects include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and headaches.

Does Diet Impact Tumor Growth?

Diet doesn’t directly cause pituitary tumor growth.

The American Cancer Society explains that genes impact cells' growth and function.

Gene mutations can cause cells to grow more rapidly than normal, repair cells less effectively, or not regulate cell growth properly. 

Certain eating patterns are associated with protective features against cancer.

The Mediterranean diet is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components from beans, fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, fish, and olive oil.

These foods help reduce inflammation, prevent cell injury, and slow tumor growth.

Remember that no specific studies have looked at foods and pituitary tumor growth.

Most studies look at overall eating styles and observe cancer and tumor rates.

The Mediterranean Diet is associated with reduced or delayed cancer growth. 

Foods To Avoid With A Pituitary Tumor

There are no specific foods and diets associated with pituitary tumor management.

However, certain foods are associated with adverse health effects regardless of your health conditions. 

Theoretically, eating foods high in antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and help optimize cell function, will help you feel better while managing a pituitary tumor. 

Below are some foods you may want to limit to optimize your health.

1. Processed Foods

A large systematic review article from 2021 linked high intakes of processed foods with a 39% increased risk of carrying significant extra weight and a 79% increased risk of metabolic syndrome. 

Metabolic syndrome is a group of health conditions that increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, stroke, or heart disease. 

Excess weight can make it harder to manage pituitary tumors. Hormone levels are higher with excess weight and exacerbate an already compromised endocrine system. 

Processed foods include:

• Packaged baked goods.
• Snack foods (pre-packaged chips, crackers, or sweets).
• Sugary breakfast cereal.
• Ready-to-eat meals.
• Frozen meals.

2. Added Sugar

People with pituitary tumors often have impaired blood glucose (sugar) control or diabetes.

Poor blood sugar control can be an early symptom of these tumors. 

Consuming added sugar from foods or beverages can make it harder to manage weight and blood sugar levels, among other adverse health impacts.

High-sugar foods are digested quickly, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. 

Limit your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages like: 

• Regular soda.
• Fruit drinks.
• Sports drinks.
• Sweetened coffee, tea, or water.

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High-sugar foods include: 

• Sugary breakfast cereal.
• Candy.
• Donuts.
• Pastries.
• Desserts.

3. High Saturated and Trans-Fat Foods

Individuals with certain types of pituitary tumors are predisposed to altered blood cholesterol levels, which can impact their risk for heart disease.

Most have increased total cholesterol levels.

Foods high in unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. 

Additionally, if you are suffering from nausea or vomiting from treatment, fatty foods can make those symptoms worse. 

These foods include: 

• Poultry skin.
• Fatty meat.
• Sausage.
• Hot dogs.
• Margarine.
• Shortening.
• Whole milk.
• Butter.
• Baked goods.
• Desserts.

4. High-Sodium Foods

Over 70% of America’s sodium (or salt) intake comes from packaged and processed foods. 

High-sodium foods are also processed foods, which are associated with a risk for increased weight that can make it harder to care for pituitary tumors. 

‍Limit your total sodium intake to 2,300 mg or less per day. 

Check the nutrition food label for its contribution to your daily value.

Foods with less than 5% of the daily sodium value are considered low sodium, while foods with 20% or more are considered high sodium.

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5. Alcohol

Little research has been done on alcohol and pituitary tumors.

‍Researchers compared three prospective cohorts in 2022 and found that low and moderate alcohol intake was associated with a 9% reduced risk of pituitary tumors.

Moderate alcohol intake is defined as two drinks or less for men and one drink or less for women. 

Alcohol intake past moderate intake significantly increases risks, injuries, and some types of cancer. 

6. Limit Caffeine

Minimal research on humans, caffeine, and pituitary tumors exists.

Caffeine doesn’t need to be avoided but limited to moderate amounts to gain its benefits. 

An older and small research study looked at the prevalence of headaches among people with pituitary tumors.

Over 70% of patients had chronic headaches, and 10% of those used caffeine to resolve their headaches effectively. 

Caffeine from tea and coffee is full of beneficial antioxidants; however, research is mixed on its anti-cancer benefits.

It is recommended that caffeine be limited to 400 mg per day (four cups of coffee or eight cups of tea).

Adding sweeteners and mix-ins to these caffeine drinks can make them no longer beneficial, as they become high-sugar drinks. 

Best Foods To Eat Instead

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating strategy for most health conditions.

It contains combinations of foods high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Many studies demonstrate lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes in people following this diet closely. 

This diet is rich in plant-based foods like vegetables, beans, legumes, fruit, whole-grain cereals, nuts, and olive oil.

These components are encouraged at almost every meal. 

Lean chicken, turkey, fish, dairy, and eggs are eaten a handful of times a week, whereas processed meat, fatty red meat, and sweets are eaten only a few times a month. 

Opting for more plant-based foods and limited processed foods and sweets will provide plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that will help promote optimal health with a pituitary tumor. 

What Vitamins Are Good For The Pituitary Gland?

Consuming various foods on the Mediterranean diet will ensure you eat a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that keep your body functioning well.

Some vitamins and minerals associated with the pituitary gland include:

1. Vitamin C and E.

These vitamins act as antioxidants and help promote healthy cell function. 

Vitamin C is abundant in fruits and vegetables of all types. Vitamin E is found in nuts like sunflowers and almonds and some fruits and vegetables.

2. Selenium, Iodine, and Iron.

The pituitary gland and thyroid gland work together to ensure you have the right amount of thyroid hormones.

Selenium, iodine, and iron are critical nutrients to help these glands function properly. 

Selenium is high in Brazil nuts, fish, chicken, and eggs. 

Iodine is found primarily in iodized salt. 

Iron is found in beans, legumes, spinach, and sardines.

Consuming various plant-based foods will help you meet your vitamin and nutrient needs. 

Work with a healthcare professional before supplementing with vitamins and minerals with a pituitary tumor. 

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Takeaway

Pituitary tumors can alter hormone levels and lead to unpleasant side effects like poor blood sugar control and unfavorable cholesterol levels.

Treatments for some pituitary tumors can lead to nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and headaches. 

Choosing nutritious foods like those found in the Mediterranean diet can improve the quality of your diet and boost your antioxidant intake.

These foods help reduce inflammation, prevent cell injury, and slow tumor growth. 

Optimizing your nutrient intake can provide more energy and tools for your body to lessen the impact of side effects. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

Pituitary tumor management can be complex.

‍Working with a registered dietitian can alleviate confusion and provide expert, individualized nutrition guidance to help you feel your best and prevent side effects. 

A Nourish dietitian analyzes your whole health picture, health goals, and eating preferences to customize a nutrition plan that works for you. 

Here are some related topics to learn about healthful eating and nutrition:

• How do I learn more about hormone-balancing foods?
• How do I learn about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet?
• I need an anti-inflammatory grocery list—can you help me find one?

Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish.