Food is one of the weapons that help you to fight breast cancer and reduces the risk. Women undergoing breast cancer treatment should take a healthy and balanced diet. A diet for breast cancer emphasizes the particular foods to increase the treatments' effectiveness, maintain a healthy weight, preserve muscle strength, build the immune system stronger, and cope with its side effects. Tailoring food choices support the treatment and reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer causes. Check below the foods that breast cancer survivors can and cannot take:
Food You Can Eat
A balanced diet gives an equal amount of fiber, vitamins, proteins, and minerals to the body to overcome the harsh chemotherapies or radiotherapies' side effects. Here what you should include in your anti-cancer diet:
Plant-Based diet-It consists of many fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. A plant-based diet gives you nutrients and phytochemicals. Apples, blueberries, sweet lime, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, grapefruit, and tomatoes are rich in anti-cancer compounds. So, increase the intake of these foods.
Fiber- It prevents extra weight gain, keeps the stomach stuffed, and build muscular strength to fight with cancer cells. Whole grains, such as wheat, oats, grams, beans, etc.provide dietary fiber, reduce breast cancer risk.
High Protein- Protein repairs damaged cells, and tissues faster also improve the immune system. Include lean protein food such as nuts, chicken, fatty fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, beans, soy foods, etc. in daily diet.
Healthy Fats- Fats are always not bad; diet for breast cancer patients should also have healthy fats to strengthen the body. You should avoid fried, greasy, and fatty foods and prefer baked, broiled, or grilled foods instead. Use olive oil, avocados, seeds, etc.
Increase Fluid Intake- You can increase the fluid intake like smoothies, buttermilk, fresh fruit juice, green tea, etc. It also helps you during nausea and settles your upset stomach.
Food You Should Avoid
On the other side, there are some types of foods you should avoid, such as includes:
Junk Food- Burger, pizza, fries, etc.are good in taste but bad for health. So, during the treatment, it is a big no for the patients.
Alcohol- Intake of beer, wine, and liquor can react with the medicine and cause harmful effects. So, avoid it and switch to healthy drinks.
Sugar- Added sugar invites cancer cells, so you should cut it from the daily diet for breast cancer patients. Cookies, cakes, and candies cause weight gain, which causes several health issues.
Undercooked Food- Keep raw or undercooked foods like sushi and oysters away from your plate. Eat cooked meats, fish, and poultry to reduce the chances of a stomach infection.
*Note: Please take the advice from your doctor or dietician before starting the above diet.
Benefits of Anti-Cancer Diet
For breast cancer survivors eating an anti-cancer diet is equally important. It helps to reduce stress during breast cancer treatment and keeps your body healthy and recover speedily.
- Help in maintaining a healthy body weight
- Repair the damaged tissues and cells
- Reduces breast cancer symptoms and side effects of treatment
- Improve immune system
- Increase the body's strength and reduce fatigue
- Help to improve the quality of life
>>Also read: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Takeaway
Eating an anti-cancer diet has multiple health benefits for cancer survivors. It can boost your immune system and keep you healthy. However, breast cancer treatment can derail finance and swipe all the savings. So, its always good to stay protected. Care Health Insurance offers Cancer Mediclaim that covers treatment expenses for cancer, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy costs (subject to policy terms and conditions). Thus, opt for it and stand firm to face such unexpected jerks in life strongly and healthily.
Disclaimer: Underwriting of claims for Breast Cancer is subject to policy terms and conditions.
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