Fighting Cancer Through Nutrition
Proper nutrition is an important part of a healthful lifestyle, as it allows the body to more efficiently repair cell damage and fight infection. Whether you are recovering from cancer or want to do all you can to prevent it, the following dietary tips can help you achieve better health:
Eat Fresh Produce
Consuming fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, fruit, and legumes on a daily basis may help prevent cancers of the digestive tract. In addition, tomatoes, soybeans, peppers, spinach, and onions may lower the risk of prostate and other forms of cancer. Because researchers are not certain which nutrients are responsible for these protective effects, dietary supplements are not as effective in preventing cancer as fresh foods are.
Opt for Whole Grains
When possible, choose whole-grain carbohydrates, which are higher in fiber and other nutrients. Look for breads with “whole wheat flour” as the primary ingredient, order brown rice at restaurants, and switch to cooking with whole wheat pasta.
Avoid High-Fat Items
Red meat, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods may increase your risk of cancer, as these items are high in dangerous saturated and trans fats. Instead of regularly eating hamburgers and french fries, seek out meals full of healthful fats, such as unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. These are found in vegetable oils, nuts, avocados, and fish.
Menorah Medical Center is dedicated to helping our patients improve their health and wellbeing through preventative care and cutting-edge medical treatment. For this reason, we offer nutritional guidance courses for patients with cancer. Held the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 1-2 p.m., these classes help patients understand how to maintain a healthful diet while undergoing treatment as well as what they can do to remain at a beneficial weight. Call (913) 498-6000 to schedule a cancer screening or nutritional consultation at our Cancer Care center.
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