Survival Gear for the New Year! By Sandra Luthringer, RD The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines a cancer survivor as any person living with cancer, from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life. Generally speaking though, we think of a patient as one who is currently in treatment, and a survivor as one who is in remission or has completed treatments. Whatever, the term you use, both patients and survivors face many nutritional challenges. Patients are faced with nutrition strategies to help relieve the symptoms that may come with treatments. They are often told to maintain current weight and not to drastically change their diet until treatments end. But once treatments are completed, the survivor may ask the simple question "What now?" How can cancer survivors help to rebuild muscle strength during the recovery phase of their treatments? Is there a special diet to follow now that the treatments are over? Many patients also ask about the role nutrition can have in their survival rate and hopes of preventing cancer recurrence. In general, there is little research on the effects of nutrition and cancer recurrence, but it seems reasonable to recommend that cancer survivors follow the ACS Guidelines on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer Prevention. These guidelines (see below) are appropriate for all cancer survivors as the basis for a healthy diet. This information, simple as it may sound, becomes the most important "gear" you will need for your journey into survivorship! How can you fit these guidelines into your lifestyle? It is not as difficult as you may think! Eat more fruits and veggies! Although there are few studies to confirm it, Mom was right when she told you that fruits and veggies were good for you! Those who include fruits and vegetables in their daily diets have a less chance of developing some cancers. Add fruit to your cereal and have a glass of juice at breakfast, add a salad to your lunch or dinner menu, and include a snack of fruit or veggies in the afternoon, and have fruit for dessert! In addition to the vitamins and minerals, vegetables and fruits contain thousands of natural substances called phytochemicals which play an important role in cancer prevention. Taking vitamins or other supplements will not provide you with the same benefit as the whole food will. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day! Eat less fat! No doubt, fat adds flavor...but can add extra calories as well! High fat diets possibly increase the risk for some cancers and can lead to obesity, which is also associated with a higher cancer risk. By substituting low-fat versions of some of the foods you use every day, you can easily begin to reduce your total fat intake. Try 1% or skim milk, non-fat sour cream or yogurt, and use half the oil called for in your recipes. Eat more fiber! Eating more fiber-rich foods may protect you from some forms of cancer and may even reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Foods that come from plants, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans are the best sources of dietary fiber. Try to include more of these in your diet. Foods that come from animals, like meat, cheese, and eggs, don't contain any fiber. A great way to increase your fiber intake is at the start of the day with a higher fiber breakfast cereal. If you don't like to eat cereal first thing in the morning, mix several dry cereals together and eat it as a snack throughout the day! American Cancer Society Guidelines on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer Prevention Choose most of the foods you eat from plant sources. • Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. • Eat other foods from plant sources, such as breads, cereals; grain products, rice, pasta, or beans several times each day. Limit your intake of high fat foods, particularly from animal sources. • Choose foods low in fat. • Limit consumption of meats, especially high-fat meats. Be physically active - achieve and maintain a healthy weight • Be at least moderately active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week. • Stay within your healthy weight range. Limit alcoholic beverages, if you drink at all. Return to Public Area