1. Common Traits
All the foods that provide a nutritional edge are the foods you want to eat to fight cancer. Foods like varied color fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and fats from olive oil, walnuts or fish like salmon are the foods which will increase your immunity, give the power to kick infections and boost your energy. The combined combat power is the most desirable ammunition to fight cancer.
2. Stock Up and Save
Your local grocery store, the roadside farm market, or the backyard garden can give you most of the above-mentioned foods. Make a sensible grocery list that has five to seven varieties of fruits and vegetables. They can be fresh, frozen or dried, so you never run out of them. This is the group with the biggest punch to fight cancer. Reach for beans, peas, fish and lean meats. Look for whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice and barley, or whole wheat couscous and corn tacos. Lastly, get low-fat dairy products.
3. Art of Cooking
Use the right cooking techniques to preserve all the good nutrition the foods have to offer. Baking, broiling, poaching, steaming and pressure-cooking are some of the recommended cooking methods. Wash your fruits and vegetables well and eat them raw or in salads. Gently cook the vegetables to preserve their flavor. Sprouted foods have lots of nutrition in them and they will bring up the nutritional value of your diet. Do not over-cook your food and do not use too high a temperature for grilling. You loose the nutrition and you can also end up with unwanted chemicals in your diet.
4. Dress It Up
Your hard work will be seen on your colorful plates and felt in every bite. Arrange the plates with colorful salads and vegetables on one side and put the proteins source and whole grain side on the other. Have your fruit in a bowl with a cold glass of milk on the side. Put some music and light some candles--celebrate every day with a satisfying, nutritious meal. This technique also has some added benefit as overindulgence is curtailed, since there will be ample foods to eat. Every little thing helps in the fight against cancer.
5. Keep It Colorful
Try a different fruit or vegetable every week. Choose different fruits or vegetables within the same color group (e.g. blueberries or eggplant, broccoli or Brussels sprouts). The color pigment in the fruits and vegetables give them some of their nutrition punch.
Always think about different food groups and include them in your meals. There are no short cuts to get the right nutrition!
