Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be extremely unsettling. Many questions may go through the mind such what treatments to do, whether or not the cancer is curable and what the next course of action is. After the shock of the diagnosis has settled and patients are ready to work on a treatment plan, a question that often comes up is “what should I be eating?” The Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, said, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.” All too often food is overlooked as a simple, yet powerful, medicine.
Unfortunately, many patients are not given good instructions during cancer treatment regimens. Many times, patients are told to eat whatever they want. But for those diagnosed with cancer, it is critical to eat foods that support the body. Cancer being present in the body means that the immune system is down, genes have been damaged or cell function and structures have been compromised; all of which are influenced by nutrition. A healthy diet is an integral part of cancer treatment.
- Eat enough fruits and vegetables. It has been very consistent for nearly two decades that less than 25 percent of Americans get five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Set an example by getting at least five, if not six or seven, servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables to provide your body the full spectrum of nutrients that it needs to fight cancer.
- Eat more organic fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that the body will quickly decrease the amount of pesticides it has to handle by consuming more organic foods [Source: Lu]. A simple way to start this process is to pick organic options of the foods normally highest in pesticides. The Environmental Working Group has put out a list of foods that are highest and lowest in pesticides. Organic versions of every fruit and vegetable would be ideal, but at least try to eat organic varieties of the foods which are highest: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes, carrots and pears. This list can be found at www.foodnews.org.
- Provide the body each day with a healthy source of water. Choose filtered water, preferably from a reverse osmosis system. Take a good supply of this water with you to work or when you travel, ideally in a glass jug or perhaps stainless steel to avoid leaching of chemicals like phthalates into your water.
- Eat healthy proteins. Try to find protein sources from healthy animals. Examples of this would be beef that is grass-fed, free-range chickens (and their eggs) and fish such as wild Alaskan salmon. The best sources of animal protein will also exclude growth hormones, antibiotics or heavy metal contamination.
- Boost the body by specifically including foods and spices that target the cancer (curry, maitake and shiitake mushrooms), strengthen the immune system (garlic, blueberries and brightly colored vegetables) and support the liver (broccoli, cauliflower and cilantro).
On the next page, learn how to avoid processed ingredients for a more nutritional diet.
