Cancer Nutrition Tips and Cancer-Fighting Foods

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Cancer Nutrition Tips and Cancer-Fighting Foods
Whether you have a history of cancer in your family, or are currently battling the disease, lifestyle factors, including your diet, can make a huge difference in helping you fight off cancer. Some foods actually increase your risk of cancer, while others support your body and strengthen your immune system. By making smart food choices, you can protect your health, feel better, and boost your ability fight off cancer and other disease

What you need to know about cancer and diet

Not all health problems are avoidable, but you have more control over your health than you may think. Studies have shown that a large percentage of cancer-related deaths-possibly even the majority-are directly linked to lifestyle choices such assmoking and drinking, a lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Avoiding cigarettes, limiting alcohol, and getting regular exercise are a great start to an anti-cancer lifestyle. But to best support your health, you also need to look at your eating habits.

What you eat-and don’t eat-has a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer. Without knowing it, you may be eating many foods that fuel cancer, while neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you. If you change your diet and behaviors, you can minimize your risk of disease and possibly even stop cancer in its tracks.

Cancer prevention diet tip #1: Focus on plant-based foods

The best diet for preventing or fighting cancer is a predominantly plant-based diet that includes a variety ofvegetables and fruits, and whole grains. A plant-based diet means eating mostly foods that come from plants: nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits and beans.

The less processed these food types are-the less they’ve beencooked and peeled, mixed with other ingredients, stripped of their nutrients, or otherwise altered from how they came out of the ground-the better.

There are many ways to add plant-based foods to your diet. A nice visual reminder is to aim for a plate of food that is filled at least two-thirds with whole vegetables, beans and grains or fruit. Dairyproducts and fish, and meat should take up no more than a third of the plate. Keep in mind that you don’t have to go completely vegetarian. Instead, focus on adding “whole” foods, which are foods close to their original form. Just as important, try to minimize or reduce the amount of processed foods you eat. Eat an apple instead of drinking a glass of apple juice, for example. Or enjoy a bowl of oatmeal with raisins instead of an oatmeal raisin cookie.