Breast Cancer Fighters - Here are Diet Do’s and Don’ts for You!

When the doctor says you have breast cancer, it may leave you feeling despondent and low. However, with the right diet, care, lifestyle and mental strength, fighting this disease is not impossible. Looking after yourself physically and mentally is critical during the treatment period. It is imperative for your body to receive the right nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Whether you are a fighter or the caretaker, understanding the physical state of a cancer patient will prove beneficial, and help you offer the right kind of nutrition and support. For example, chemotherapy reduces immunity so it is critical to provide strength through immunity-boosting foods that help in rescovery. A diet that comprises fruits, vegetables, poultry, Omega 3 fatty acids and low-fat dairy products is beneficial for people undergoing cancer treatment. Nutrients present in these foods help to renew tissues damaged during the medication. Furthermore, a diet that includes fibre and whole grains is rich in antioxidants and helps the body to maintain an optimum weight-reducing inflammation caused by treatments and levels of oestrogen in the body. Diets comprising sweetened drinks, tea, caffeine, fried dishes, white sugar and red meat are known to adversely affect the treatment process and recovery time and thus should be avoided. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts that can be referred to if you or someone you know is battling breast cancer. Do’s Consume oils with healthy fatty acids Cooking oils like rice bran, canola, and olive oil are some of the best oils with beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids. Eat vegetables of the cruciferous family Green vegetables like cabbage and broccoli contain phytonutrients that restrict the spread of cancer. Healthy partake of dark leafy green vegetables Vegetables like spinach contain folic acid that helps in bolstering DNA and prevents the cancerous cells from spreading. Tomatoes A great source of the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes, help accelerate cancer treatments by not allowing cancer cells to grow. rnDon’ts Restrict the use of vegetable oils in foods- Hydrogenated vegetable oils are known to increase the levels of acid in the body and are thus considered harmful for cancer patients. Sweets and sugar Excessive consumption of sugar and sweets may aggravate blood glucose levels, forcing the body to release insulin. This results in higher levels of oestrogen, boosting the development of cancer cells. Sugar can also increase body weight and tilt the body-mass index, making it difficult for the body to fight cancer. Avoid consuming red meat and processed foods Processed foods or red meat contain preservatives that may increase the levels of oxidation. Meat cooked at high temperatures triggers the release of toxins, thus hampering the recovery process. Curb the intake of high-fat dairy products Dairy products that contain high-fat are known to increase oestrogen levels in the body. This is mainly because some cattle may have higher levels of oestrogenic hormones. These hormones can be passed on to you through milk or other dairy products. Reduce alcohol consumption Limit your alcohol consumption to one drink per day at the most. Large amounts of alcohol can delay the recovery process. Although these may seem like easy things to do, they will definitely help accelerate the recovery as well as allow the body to remain strong throughout the treatment. If you are facing difficulties in sticking to your diet plan or having reactions to certain foods, it is advisable to reach out to a registered dietician, nutritionist or even your medical oncologist. Your recovery and treatment will be catalysed if you consult the best breast cancer doctor in Pune, or in your city. What is critical to remember is the fight is in your mind as much as it is in your body. Allow your doctor to guide you through the entire process. Reference URLs- https://www.healthline.com/health/metastatic-breast-cancer/nutrition https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/breast_center/treatments_services/nutrition.htmlrn