Nutrition for Breast Cancer Prevention & Survivorship

In honor of breast cancer awareness month let's briefly talk about nutrition related to cancer prevention and survivorship. 

• Prioritize eating whole fruits, vegetables and grains
• Focus on foods high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein when concerned about muscle wasting. 
• Limit sugar, heavily processed foods, and other non-nutritious foods so you can save your appetite for foods that will help heal and detox your system.  When limiting sugar, it’s important to remember hidden sugar in coffee creamers, sauces, and condiments. 
• Limit alcohol consumption.  Drinking even small amounts of alcohol is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer in women.

Focus on the foods that fit into the “healing” category:

Those include vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.   Another thing to consider is variety.  Remember learning about the colors of the rainbow?  ROY-G-BIV.  Apply that to foods and aim to include every color everyday.  One of my favorite easy recipes is what I call “kitchen sink veg roast”.  This recipe is versatile enough that you can add just about any vegetable that you have on hand.  This recipe comes in handy when I have to use up random vegetables that I don’t have enough for a full serving for our family or if I need to use something up before it goes bad.   

Need some inspiration to fall in love with autumn veggies? Try these recipes!

• Fall Roasted Vegetables
• Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
• Fig & Beet Fall Protein Smoothie
• Roasted Rainbow Vegetable Bowl
• Autumn Glow Salad
• 1-Bowl Carrot Apple Snack Cake 

- Nicole Moretta, MS, RD, CDN