Nutrition Part II… Cancer Prevention

If you already have cancer, this might seem like an odd article to post on this particular blog. But I’m putting it here for two reasons: (1) these suggestions come highly recommended for cancer survivors who have completed their treatment, and (2) not all of my readers have cancer.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has come up with the following recommendation for cancer prevention. NOTE: during our class our nutritionist made comments and additions to this list which I’ve put in brackets [ ].

According to the AICR, the following healthy choices can help prevent cancer:

• Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight
• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day
• Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat). [Our nutritionist suggests using fruit juices, coffies, and V-8 juice. A small amount of Orange juice (not too much) is okay.]
• Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans.
• Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, *pork, and lamb) and avoid processed meats. [Our nutritionist suggested that grass-fed meats are better and provide important Omega-3. She also suggested cooking meat slowly. Cooking too quickly damages the fat and increases trans-fats. She emphatically said to not eat BBQ’d meat.]  *Editors note: I think pork is a white meat, but it still should be limited
• If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day
• Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium)
• Do not use supplements to protect against cancer. [Our nutritionist said the main concern is too much vitamin-E which some studies show increases the chance of getting lung cancer.]
• [Our nutritionist added that women after menopause should not take an iron supplement]

Special Population Recommendations:

• It’s best that mothers breastfeed exclusively for up to six months and then add other liquids and foods.
• Do not smoke or chew tobacco

Our nutritionist was a little more loose on dietary issues. She said we could eat healthy foods 80-90% of the time and have fun foods 10-20% of the time. I like her better than the AICR folks!

Note to cancer survivors: After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer preventions

Well that’s it for now, except for one honest disclosure… I’m doing some, but not all, of the above right now. It takes awhile for us old dogs to do new tricks. But, hey, at least I’m not chewing tobacco!