Cancer Fighting Foods

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Your meal choices can greatly impact your conversations at the doctor’s office. “There are studies that people who have higher intakes of fruits and vegetables have lower rates of cancer, diabetes, obesity,” said Taylor Lawless, a clinical die****ian with Lee Health.

Studies show patients who are considered obese have a greater risk of developing cancer. “There’s no one food that strictly eliminates or kills cancer, but there are a lot of foods that can help prevent it in the first place,” she said.

Those foods are mostly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But health experts say things like coffee and tea have also been proven to help fight cancer. “A lot of these foods relate to your overall health. The dark leafy greens, the fruits, the vegetables, and eating them while you’re going through treatment really help to nourish your body the right way,” said Lawless.

That’s because fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. “I think the key is phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are “phyto” so they come from plants. A lot of them have these cancer-fighting qualities because they eliminate free radicals and help you to keep your cellular health optimal which is good against cancer,” she said.

Whether they’re fresh, frozen, or canned, it’s important to get as many fruits and vegetables in your diet as possible. “That’s really one of the best ways to keep your blood sugar low, keep your weight stable, and prevent cancer,” said Lawless.

It’s also important to limit processed foods and sugar. “It is just about limiting your risk of these diseases so you can live a longer, healthier, happier life,” she said.