People see me in various parts of their cancer journey – at diagnosis, during treatment, and post-treatment for prevention. The number one thing they always want to know about is nutrition. There are so many diets and information out there about what to eat to avoid cancer growth, I just want to clarify a few things for those people – best anti-cancer diet is the one that allows you to follow the recommendations without struggles. I am there to make those recommendations to you as well as helping you through the struggles. Because at this point, the changes you make will be for life.

Why is it important to have a good nutrition plan in cancer care:

• Fewer complications
• Improved quality of life
• Better able to tolerate and continue treatment
• Improve treatment outcome and therefore, survival.

What is my ideal goals?

Maintaining a healthy weight is the most important thing for cancer patients. It is not good to be overweight, and it is also not a good thing to be underweight. Most common way to measure your body weight is through body mass index (BMI). BMI is a mathematical formula that uses your height compared to your weight to estimate whether you are underweight, overweight or obese. BMI is used as an indicator of many disease risks, not just for cancer. Maintaining a healthy, lean body mass while losing fat requires a diet rich in protein. Nutrition is extremely important when it comes to managing weight in cancer care.

Your second goal is to be healthy and active enough to support your daily activities and able to achieve your goals. That means if the treatment, the cancer, or for psychological reasons that you are underweight, you are unable to accomplish your daily activities such as going to work and focus. Weight loss can cause fatigue, mental fog, lengthening recovery, immune system suppression, and other negative effects on your quality of life. Addressing what is preventing you from living the life you want to live is key to feeling happy and healthier post-cancer.

Tips that we can all use to prevent cancer:

• Maintain healthy weight
• Being physically active
• Eating at least 5 servings of colorful vegetables and fruits daily
• Eating more whole grains and whole grain products than refined
• Reducing red meat and processed meat
• Try vegetarian meals during the week
• Reducing processed food
• Increase fish intake
• Eating nuts and seeds of various kinds
• Choosing monounsaturated fats such as olive oil
• Limit alcoholic beverages (if you do drink, not more than 1 beverage for women and 2 for men)
• Choosing food low in added sugar and low in added fat

I am already doing that. What else?

Supplementation of your nutrition is also key. In addition to eating, there are various other ways to supplement the nutrition that is low through various means. FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPLEMENT.