Nutrition in the Fight Against Cancer

Nutrition in the Fight Against Cancer

Tejal Parekh, MS, RDN, LDNRegistered Dietitian

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Recommendations for Cancer

Prevention

1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.

2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.

3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods.

4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans.

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AICR Recommendations for Cancer Prevention (cont.)

5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.

6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to two for men and one for women each day.

7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).

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Plant-based Diets: Do I Need to be a Vegetarian?

Limit red meats and processed meats.• Consumption of these foods linked to higher rates of

certain cancers.Plant foods include: Vegetables, fruits, whole

grains and lentils/beans• These foods contain phytochemicals and antioxidants.

Aim for 7-10 servings per day.

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Plant-based Diets (cont.)

Replace red meats with chicken/fish/plant proteins.

• Stay with a portion size of 4-6 oz.AICR recommends to fill your plate with 2/3 plant

foods and 1/3 animal protein.

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AICR’s ‘Foods that Fight Cancer’

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Does an Alkaline Diet Help?

Theory: Cancer cells do not like alkaline environments (high pH levels).

Foods can be:• Alkaline: Fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes.• Acidic: Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains and

alcohol.• Neutral: Fats, starches and natural sugars.

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Alkaline Diet (cont.)

Human life requires a tightly controlled pH level in the serum of about 7.4 (a slightly alkaline range of 7.35 to 7.45) to survive.

Blood pH vs. Urine pH Foods cannot change our blood pH. No research supports this diet for cancer

prevention. Alkaline foods are the foods we want to eat more

of, so there is no harm in trying it. Just make sure you are getting enough protein.

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Organic Foods: Pros Better farming practices and less pesticide exposure for

the farmers and the foods. Less insecticide use: Better quality control and stricter

standards of production than conventional foods. Reduced pollution and conservation of water and soil. Stricter standards for other chemicals in processed

foods such as food additives compared to non-organic. Health concerns for children.

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Organic Foods: Cons

Cost Inspection ProcessLifespan

Consumer Reports recently released findings from an ongoing study related to the amounts of pesticide residue found on fruits and vegetables. The results were compiled after analyzing 12 years of data from the USDA’s pesticide data program…

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Consumer Reports Results

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CLEAN NOT SO CLEANPeaches Raspberries

Carrots Blueberries

Strawberries Broccoli (US/Mexico)

Sweet bell peppers Oranges (no rind)

Green beans Lettuce

Apples (from the US) Onions

Tangerines Red/Green grapes

Nectarines Apples (New Zealand)

Cranberries Watermelons (Mexico/US)

Hot peppers Bananas

Sweet potatoes Cherries

Supplements of Interest

Turmeric (curcumin) • Claims to suppress cancer cells.• Add black pepper for increased absorption.• Try 1-2 teaspoons daily fresh or powdered.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA)• Anti-inflammatory• Suppresses tumor growth• Found in oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, etc.)

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The Budwig DietDeveloped by Johanna Budwig in 1950.Flaxseed oil, cottage cheese, fruits and

vegetables.Not allowed: Processed foods, meats, dairy and

sugar.No research to support the claim that this diet

will cure cancer.Can we eat more of the allowed foods?

Absolutely!

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Should a Cancer Patient Eat Anything to Get Calories In?

Macro nutrients• Protein• Carbohydrates• Fat

Micro nutrients• Vitamins• Minerals

Aim for a balanced, varied diet to get a range of these nutrients.

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Protein

The building blocks of your cells.• Carries oxygen in your blood to all the parts of your

body.• Sends messages to and from your brain via nerve cells.• Builds muscle.• Builds antibodies that help defend the body against

viruses and bacteria.

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How Can I Increase Protein in My Diet?

Add grated cheese to a piece of toast, soups, vegetables or crackers.

Add Greek yogurt to a smoothie for a high protein boost. Eat cottage cheese with a bowl of fresh fruit for a cool

refreshing snack. Try slices of turkey or chicken rolled with or without cheese. Add peanut butter to crackers, breads, apple slices and

shakes. Blend a cup of non-fat dry milk powder into a quart of milk

and keep in the fridge to use when needed. Keep small cans of tuna, chicken, beans, and lentils on hand

for quick easy meals.

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Are Boost/Ensure Supplements Okay?

Designed to act as meal replacements when appetite is down or if there is difficulty swallowing.

Convenient, portable and palatable. Expensive, not the best quality

ingredients, easy to replicate at home.

Keep a few on hand for outings or when you don’t feel like making anything.

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Boost/Ensure Supplements (cont.)

Blend:• 1 cup 2% milk• ½ scoop protein

powder (15g protein)• 1 banana

Nutrients• 1 cup 2% milk• ½ scoop protein

powder (15g protein)• 1 banana

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Does Sugar Feed Cancer?

The body needs glucose: A simple sugar and a type of carbohydrate found in most foods.

Sugar feeds all cells in our body.In sugar’s absence, the body makes glucose

from protein and fat – not an efficient process.

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Sugar and Cancer Risk

Eating lots of simple sugar on an empty stomach causes a large rise in insulin.

Insulin: A hormone that promotes cell growth.

Cancer cells are thought to contain plenty of insulin receptors.

Too much insulin can cause these cells to grow and respond more.

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Sugar (cont.)

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Sugar (cont.)

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The Bottom Line: SugarSugar is not the enemy: High insulin levels are

associated with more cancer growth.What can we do?

• Mix simple sugars with protein, fat and/or fiber.• This decreases the amount of insulin the body makes.• Limit simple carbohydrates and focus on complex

carbohydrates.• Move more!• Maintain a healthy weight.

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Glycemic Index

Measures the rate at which a food raises your blood sugar levels.

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Glycemic Index (cont.)

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Low GI Medium GI High GIStone ground whole wheat, pumpernickel bread

Sourdough, oat bran, multigrain, pita breads French/white bread or bagels, English muffins

Popcorn, whole grain crackers Rice cakes, pretzels, saltines, corn chips

Rolled/steel cut oatmeal Quick oats Instant oatmeal, farina

All Bran cereal Shredded wheat, Special K Processed cereals: Flaked or puffed, rice or oats

Barley, pasta, converted rice Couscous, quinoa, wild rice, basmati/long-grain rice

Short-grain sticky rice

New boiled potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes Russet or instant potatoes

Most fruit Tropical fruits, dried fruits

Most vegetables Corn, peas, winter squash

Beans/legumes Baked beans

Soy milk, milk, yogurt Custard, ice cream

Apple Oatmeal cookies Graham crackers, vanilla wafers

Healthy Snacks = Protein + Carbohydrate

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Protein CarbohydrateYogurt Berries or Canned Fruit

Peanut/Nut Butter Apple Slices

Cottage Cheese Sliced Pears or Peaches

String Cheese Rye Crackers or Low-Fat Whole Wheat Crackers

Tuna/Egg/Chicken Salad In Half a Sandwich, Pita Bread; on Crackers

Hummus Dip Raw Vegetables

Split Pea, Bean or Minestrone Soup Multigrain Bread/Toast

Vegetarian Refried Beans/Salsa Baked Chips

Soy Milk Fruit (Try in a Smoothie)

Chili Beans Baked Potato

Sunflower Seeds, Nuts Dried Fruit, Salad

Meats, Fish, Poultry Cereal

Management of Side Effects

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Diarrhea

Replenish with mild, clear liquids.Small, frequent meals/snacks.High sodium/high potassium foods to replace

electrolytes lost.Foods high in pectin: Applesauce, bananas.Try fiber powder at night – mix with very little

water when using for diarrhea.

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Loss of Appetite

Aim for five to six small meals/snacks a day.High calorie/high protein foods pack a lot of

nutrition into a small volume of food. Physical activity stimulates appetite.Use meal replacement drinks/homemade

shakes.Distraction: Friends/family, TV, sit outside, etc.

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Snack Suggestions

PB & J sandwich (or crackers)Hard boiled eggsCream soupsGreek yogurtSmoothies (use whole milk)Cheese and crackers or grilled cheese sandwich

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Fluids 8-10 cups a day at the very least is recommended. Hydrating Fluids:

• Water, bottled water, sparkling water, seltzer and club soda• Clear fruit juices and fruit drinks• Sports drinks• Clear soups, broth and bouillon• Popsicles, fruit ices• Gelatin• Caffeine-free soft drinks• Weak, caffeine-free tea (hot or cold)

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Contact Information

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