The cure for all types of cancer has yet to be found, but you can take steps to help lower your risk of developing this disease. While proper nutrition choices will not ensure that you do not develop cancer they can lower your risk and increase your immune function to help fight cancer if you happen to develop it. Nutrition that helps prevent cancer will also benefit your health overall.
Less Meat
Substitute your meat protein choices for plant protein. According to HelpGuide.org, plant proteins contain less fat than animal proteins and the fat they contain are generally healthier forms of fat, also plant proteins contain more cancer fighting nutrients.
Some plant proteins that you can use as a healthy alternative to animal proteins include black bean burgers, peanut butter, nuts, all types of beans, tofu and soy meat alternatives. Also, keep in mind that you only really need two to three servings of protein a day.
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
To prevent cancer you should be eating a variety of fruits and vegetables; at least five servings a day. Fruits and vegetables provide you with vitamins, minerals and fiber, which offer cancer fighting benefits. HelpGuide.org reports that fiber keeps your digestive track keep moving properly and in some cases pushes cancer-causing compounds out before they can turn into something harmful.
Eat fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples with the skin, oranges and bananas. Consume vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, carrots, brussels sprouts, tomatoes and cauliflower. Make sure to get a variety of different colorful fruits and vegetables because they are rich in phytochemicals, which are disease fighting and immune boosting, notes HelpGuide.org.
Include Whole Grain
The Harvard School of Public Health reports that while the research is mixed on the benefits whole grains foods and cancer prevention, quality whole grains do promote overall health and provide you with phytoestrogens that may help protect you from some forms of cancer. Whole grains also provide you with a significant amount of fiber.
Switching your diet from refined grains such as white bread or white pasta to whole grains will have positive effects on your health overall. Potential sources of whole grains include brown rice, whole grain pasta, oats, whole rye, millet, buckwheat and quinoa, notes the Harvard School of Public Health.
Consume Fat
Not all fats are good for you and some even increase your risk for cancer, but there are healthy fats that can help prevent cancer. These fats are monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These fats can be found in foods such as salmon, olive oil, canola oil, nuts, avocados and flaxseeds.
Fats that do not prevent cancer and may increase your risk include trans fats and saturated fats. These fats can be found in foods such as red meat, whole milk dairy products, and hydrogenated oils. You should avoid these fats.
