Healthy and nutritious food are important for good wellbeing, but it is the most important when we talk about cancer patients as a poor diet pattern may worsen the disease or slow down the healing process. This article has put some healthy foods for cancer patients.
Cancer is a dangerous, deadly disease characterized by uncontrolled division and growth of cells. The abnormal cells form the tumors, which are of two types: benign and malignant. If the person has a benign tumor, there is no need to worry as this is a noncancerous tumor and not spread throughout the body. But if a doctor determines a malignant tumor, then a person is at risk because it is cancerous and spread to the whole body via the circulatory system.
In recent times, mortality cases of cancer are increasing due to less awareness and late detection. Cancer cases are growing at 4.5-5% annually in India and are still growing. There are various causative factors behind the disease. The majority of occurrence is a genetic mutation from environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, stress, lack of exercise, proper nutrition, physical inactivity, etc. They can be appropriately treated with individual methods, but let’s focus on the proper nutrition that needs to be included in your life, helping control cancer.
Healthy Foods For Cancer
1. Green Leafy Vegetables
Dark green leafy vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, spinach, kale, etc., are a rich source of vitamin A, E, K, and iron. These vegetables have important cancer-fighting nutrients such as beta-carotene, lutein, folate, and phytochemicals to prevent different types of cancers like colon, lung, breast, cervical. You can add the vegetables to your meal by steaming, sautéing, or adding them to soups.
2. Protein-rich Diet
Beans, legumes such as peas, lentils have a good amount of vitamin B required to fulfill the body’s protein requirements. The protein helps strengthen immunity, cell repair, fasten the healing process, and increase red blood cells’ production.
Even egg is the richest protein source, and significantly, its high selenium content reduces the side effects of chemotherapy. Generally, women with ovarian cancer are prescribed selenium supplements to increase the white blood cells that help fight infections. You can try various healthy protein-rich recipes for breakfast.
3. Healthy Fruits
Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, etc., are great vitamin C sources; they are good for cancer. Bananas, kiwi, peaches, berries (strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, etc.), and mangoes have many vitamins and fibers to relieve constipation. You can also add avocados or apricots to your diet and they boost energy levels. The phytochemicals and antioxidants present in fruits offer great help to prevent the formation of free radicals and cancer-causing agents.
4. Drinking Water/Healthy Juices
Healthy juices made from fruits or vegetables is an easy and healthy way to get nutrients required by the body. They contain nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to fight cancer. Drinking water helps to detoxify your body, removing toxins, which can promote cancer activities. Increase intake of juices, water in between the meal to relieve dry mouth, healing mouth sores due to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and to improve digestion. However, avoid drinking juices packed with sugar, as they can increase your sugar levels in the body.
5. Dairy Products
There are different varieties of cheese available with a high amount of fat and protein content. Cheese toppings go best with some salads and best to have in diet after chemotherapy to keep energy level up. You can also add plain yogurt to your diet.
Also, drink some milkshakes or smoothies as a decent amount of protein helps repair the cells’ damage and generate new cells. But try to consume in moderate amounts as the high sugar content is also not good for health.
