The right kind of diet is an important lifestyle choice that breast cancer patients have to make to increase their chances of recovery. They need to eat healthy foods that boost immunity, provide optimum level of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and help their body fight against this deadly disease.
A healthy Mediterranean diet comprising fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts high in Omega 3 fatty acids, poultry, fish, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and olive oil is good for cancer management. The nutrients present in these foods regenerate the tissues that get damaged due to medication and treatment of cancer and also strengthen immunity.
A diet that revolves around fibre and whole grains rich in antioxidants goes a long way in maintaining healthy body weight which, in turn, reduces inflammation and the level of estrogen in the body. This helps avoid the recurrence of breast cancer. On the other hand, a diet that contains sweetened drinks, tea, coffee, French fries, potato chips, refined grains, red meat, white rice, white sugar, and refined wheat flour worsens cancer management.
Breast cancer is thought to closely relate to a hormone called estrogen that is important for the normal development of breasts. However, a woman’s risk of breast cancer is associated with lifetime exposure to estrogen. So, she needs to avoid foods that are known to increase the level of estrogen or oxidation in the body. Here is some advice about what to eat and what not to eat for women battling breast cancer.
What to eat
Oils with healthy fatty acids and antioxidants
Mono-unsaturated fatty acids in cooking oils like rice bran oil, canola oil and olive oil are healthy. Antioxidants present in many of these oils are also quite beneficial for cancer patients.
Cabbages
Vegetables of the cruciferous family like cabbage and broccoli contain phyto-nutrients that help stop the spread of cancer.
Dark green leafy vegetables
Veggies such as spinach contain folic acid which strengthens DNA and helps prevent cancer from spreading. The darker the vegetables, the better they are for breast cancer.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are loaded with the antioxidant lycopene that protects against breast cancer by not allowing cancer cells to grow.
What not to eat
Vegetable oils
Hydrogenated vegetable oils which are high in trans-fats increase the levels of oxidation in the body and are considered unhealthy for cancer patients.
Sugar and sweets
Women who consume sweets and sugar in excess may worsen their breast cancer. Consumption of sugar increases blood glucose levels, forcing the body to release insulin. This could result in higher levels of estrogen and encourage the development of cancer cells. Sugar is nothing but empty calories which rapidly increase body weight, tilting the body-mass index for the worse and making it harder for the body to fight against breast cancer. So reduce your consumption of foods made with sugar.
Processed meat and red meat
Processed red meat and other type of meat containing preservatives may increase the levels of oxidation, boosting the growth of cancer cells. Limit your intake of processed and red meat as much as possible; prefer plant food instead.
High-fat dairy products
Many high-fat dairy products contain increased estrogen levels. Some cattle have higher levels of estrogenic hormones that are passed on to you through fat present in milk and milk products. Their consumption may strengthen the development of breast cancer, so choose low-fat or no-fat dairy products.
Alcohol
If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to one drink (not more than 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer) per day at the most. High amounts of alcohol make breast cancer more severe.
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Dr. Rekha Sharma is the President of Indian Dietetic Association and Former Chief Dietician of AIIMS, New Delhi.
