I have cancer, what should I eat?
Dear Mayo Clinic: I was recently diagnosed with cancer. Are there specific foods I should be eating or avoiding?

It’s not about any one food, and it’s not about one diet; it’s about a dietary pattern.

The dietary pattern that organisations such as the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society recommend is a whole-food, plant-predominant diet.

The whole food component is very important to emphasise – eating foods as close to nature as possible is key, not ones made in a factory.

Aim to arrange half of your plate with a diverse array of colourful vegetables and fruits, a quarter from whole grains, and the rest from healthy sources of protein, especially from plant sources.

The average American consumes at least 63% ultra- processed foods.

Ultra-processed foods are factory-manufactured, packaged foods (e.g. frozen pizza, microwave meals, chips, pastries, cupcakes, muffins, processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages).

These foods often have ingredients that are hard to pronounce.

Studies show consumption of ultra-processed food is linked directly to premature death or deaths from all causes.

Cancer studies done in countries that don’t consume nearly the amount of ultra-processed foods compared to Americans, show that not only do the ultra-processed foods increase the risk of cancer occurring, but after a cancer diagnosis, these foods also increase the risk of death.

ALSO READ: Ultra-processed foods are bad for your mind, heart and life

When you eat ultra-processed foods, you’re taking away the opportunity for your body to get nutrient-dense foods with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fibre that can help fight cancer and keep it away.

Processed meat, which often includes hot dogs, deli food and sausages, is categorised as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO).

To protect yourself against cancer, studies show that it would be best to avoid those foods.

For your sources of protein, eat foods such as tofu, edamame, tempeh, fish, poultry and pulses.

What are pulses?

Pulses are edible seeds from a legume plant.

They include things such as lentils, peas and beans (black, pinto, kidney, chickpeas, etc).

Not only are you replacing animal protein when you consume pulses and soy, but you’ll also get a lot of fibre.

And in the United States, there’s not a protein deficiency, but a fibre deficiency.

Soy foods are safe for all cancer patients and are an excellent source of plant protein.

Studies show soy may improve survival after breast cancer.

Fibre is an essential nutrient, but only 5% of Americans get enough.

A recent meta-analysis from the American Institute for Cancer Research Global Cancer Update Program showed that for every 10-gramme increase in fibre in the diet, survival after breast cancer diagnosis improved by 13%.

Health benefits of fibre include improved cholesterol, blood sugar regulation, gut health and digestion, and weight control.

Additionally, nuts and seeds have healthy, fatty acids that your body needs and are a great source of fibre and protein.

But they are also calorie-dense, so be mindful of the serving size.

Aim to cut out ultra-processed foods and consume mainly whole, plant-predominant foods, i.e.:

A wide variety of colourful vegetables and whole fruit (not fruit juice).

Whole grains, such as steel cut oats, quinoa, brown rice and barley, to name a few.

Proteins from non-animal sources.

Foods that aren’t made in a factory.

Water, not sugar-sweetened beverages.

You can have a role in your cancer journey when you think of food as medicine, and that’s exciting and empowering. – By Dr Dawn Mussallem/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service

Dr Dawn Mussallem specialises in integrative medicine and health in Florida, US.
Nutrition,Cancer,diet
A holistic approach to what you eat, rather than sticking to any one particular diet, is needed.