Are you concerned about cancer? Then get serious about your diet. In fact, research shows that 80% of all cancers can be prevented through diet and lifestyle.
But what kind of diet is a cancer-preventive diet?
A cancer-fighting diet is one that is rich in antioxidants from colorful fruits and veggies, low in sugar (aka “Cancer Fertilizer”), packed with B vitamins that promote healthy cell division, rich in anti-inflammatory fats and low in those that promote inflammation, free of hormones, pesticides and toxins. It also provides an assortment of powerful cancer-fighting foods that are optimally prepared to preserve their nutrients and prevent cancer-promoting compounds.
Here are the specific criteria for “Cancer Prevention Recipes” at Healing Gourmet:
- LOW IN SUGAR: Contains less than 10 grams sugar per serving
- CELL-PROTECTING ANTIOXIDANTS: Provides an excellent source of any of these key antioxidants:
- Vitamin A or Beta-carotene
- Vitamin C Vitamin E
- Selenium
- MIGHTY METHYLATORS: Provides an excellent source of any of these nutrients:
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B6
- HEALTHY FATS: Provides a rich source of any of these anti-inflammatory fats:
- EPA/DHA omega-3
- ALA omega-3
- MUFA (5 grams/serving)
- FREE OF HORMONES, PESTICIDES & TOXINS: All recipes at Healing Gourmet are free from the endocrine-disrupting and cancer-promoting toxins found in our conventional food supply. This means no BPA, PCBs, dioxins, rBST, PFCs, pesticides, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, harmful additives or preservatives.
- OPTIMALLY PREPARED: Foods cooked at high temperatures create cancer-promoting byproducts including HCAs, LOPs, AGEs and acrylamide. Cooking foods at their appropriate temperature range, marinating and using healthy cooking techniques reduces or eliminates these nasty compounds.
- CANCER-FIGHTING FOODS: Contains ANY of these key phytonutrient and fiber-rich, cancer-fighting fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices:
- ALLIUMS: garlic, onions, shallots, chives, leeks
- BERRIES: blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries
- CITRUS: lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruit, tangerine
- CRUCIFEROUS VEGGIES: bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, watercress, arugula,
- FLAXSEED
- WINTER SQUASH, SWEET POTATOES & YAMS
- HERBS: basil, oregano, rosemary
- MUSHROOMS: white button mushrooms, shitake mushrooms, crimini mushrooms, portabella mushrooms, oyster mushrooms
- OLIVE OIL
- SEA VEGETABLES: spirulina, chlorella, hijiki, nori
- TEA: green tea, white tea, black tea
- TOMATOES
- TURMERIC & GINGER
When you submit a recipe that meets these criteria, your creation will appear in Cancer-Fighting Recipes, helping others to enjoy a healthy, cancer-fighting diet.
Regular vigorous exercise, optimal vitamin D levels (ideally obtained from sun exposure), restful sleep and maintaining a healthy weight are also critical to guard against cancer.
To learn more about a cancer-fighting diet and how these foods and nutrients work in your body to keep your cells healthy, go here.