Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Is there A Special Diet Recommended for Breast Cancer?

Healthy Daily Diets Can Curb the Risk of Breast Cancer

​There is no single superfood or power-packed food that can prevent or cause breast cancer. Researchers advocate the fact that it is possible to curb 9 out of every 100 cancer chances (9%) with diet modifications. It has also been propagated that women who eat a Mediterranean diet with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts are at a reduced risk for breast cancer. This is because, a Mediterranean diet comprises mostly of plant-based foods along with healthy fats. Healthy body weight is another factor which prevents breast cancer. This again can be achieved through healthy diet modifications.

Include These Foods
The following foods are prescribed for a healthy diet plan, but these are the ones suggested for breast cancer patients too.

1. Rainbow-colored produce: Studies have found that eating fruits reduces the risk of breast cancer due to the fiber and antioxidants that they contain. Include ample quantities of citrus fruits, eggplants, broccoli, kale, onions, tomatoes, apples, pears, dark leafy vegetables, peaches and strawberries. Nutritionists/dietitians recommend eating 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
2. Fiber-rich foods: They help you stay full for longer time periods and hence, aid in weight loss. Research proves that pre-menopausal women who consumed more than 25g of fiber every day are at a lower risk of breast cancer. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole-grains to fulfill your fiber requirements.
3. Healthy fats: Health professionals recommend acquiring 20 to 30 percent of daily calories from fats, with not more than 8 percent of total calories coming from saturated fats. Eat more of avocados, walnuts, olive oil and seeds that are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Also, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmons and herring are linked with reduced breast cancer risk. Avoid foods such as cookies, biscuits, butter, ghee, cheese, savories and cream that are high in saturated fats. Omega-3s have quite many advantages which are available in the website www.firsteatright.com.
4. Soy Foods: A joint research by reputed cancer organizations found that women who consumed a diet rich in soya had less-dense breast tissue (dense breast tissue is linked to greater risk) than other women. Soy is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and helps to reduce LDL levels. Soy milk, soy nuts, tofu, tempeh and edamame are some of the soy-rich foods.
   
   

Replace animal fats with polyunsaturated fats, eat carotenoid-rich foods such as carrots, spinach, kale, papaya, bell peppers and tomatoes, drink your dairy and eat whole-grain bread, pasta and cereals for good health and breast cancer prevention.         

Avoid These Foods
1.Alcohol: Women who consume three alcoholic drinks per week are at a 15% increased risk of breast cancer. It is better to stop drinking alcohol and replace it with other options such as innovative mocktails using edible flowers.
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2.Sugar and Trans fat: Processed foods which contain trans fat are sure to increase the risk of breast cancer. Cookies, crackers, donuts, fried foods and pastries are the most popular processed foods which are high in both sugar and trans fat. It is advisable to avoid these foods to prevent breast cancer risk and stay healthy.
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Along with the above diet modifications, doing physical activity is equally important. Prominent cancer organizations suggest that women who exercise for four or more hours every week are at a decreased risk of breast cancer as 5 out of 100 cancers (5%) can be avoided by maintaining a healthy body weight.