Whether you are being treated for cancer and are gearing up for the recovery process or you are concerned about the effect that your diet may have on your health, the role that nutrition plays in cancer is a hot topic.
Over the past several decades, the large amount of research that has been done has offered answers to people’s most frequently asked questions.
Here are the three biggest questions about nutrition and cancer.
Can Nutrition Cause Cancer?
Research has revealed that there are certain foods that can put someone at a greater risk of cancer. Alcohol, for instance, can increase the risk of cancer.
Cancer.org says that men should drink no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women, to avoid putting themselves at risk.
Artificial sweeteners, on the other hand, have no current evidence to suggest that there is a link between them and cancer.
Calcium, whether in the form of dairy or vegetables, and its link to cancer is debated. The risk of certain types of cancer seems to increase with calcium intake, yet the risk of other types of cancer seems to decrease with modest amounts of calcium intake. There is definitely a link there between nutrition and cancer.
What Should I Eat During Treatment?
During treatment, It's important to eat a variety of foods, because your body requires a variety of food sources so that you can remain feeling good and strong.
Eating larger than typical amounts of protein, such as poultry, eggs, fish, and nut butters, is important during recovery, because it helps your body to stay fueled.
Fats, even though they’ve suffered from bad press for decades (but Time magazine has recently set the record straight), are an essential part of treatment nutrition, as are carbohydrates, water, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
Be sure to work with your medical professionals to create an ideal food plan to help you through recovery with a focus on nutrition and cancer.
What Should I Eat After My Treatment Ends?
After you finish your treatment, check with your medical professionals to learn about any foods and/or diet restrictions that you should honor, and to create a food plan to help you fully recover.
Then, enjoy the variety of foods available at your local grocery stores. Variety is important, because your body needs to be replenished with as many different types of foods as possible.
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. And continue drinking plenty of water to flush your system.
It is a great idea to find new types of foods and try them out. The more vivid in color, the more nutritionally dense it is, so look for deep greens, vivid yellows, and bright reds.
Whether recovering from cancer or trying to avoid it, cancer is a major concern for all of us. Though there is not yet a cure to cancer, there is research to suggest that there is a link between nutrition and cancer, treating cancer, and staying cancer free after treatment.
What are your favorite things to eat to stay healthy?
Authored for Néktar Juice Co. a cold pressed juicing company where all juices are from raw organic produce.