Good Diet thoughts

garden gal · January 2012

Although my diet is reasonbly good I am still looking for more info about what I should be adding to my diet. I have heard that sugar and carbs should be eliminated as much as possible from the diet but when I've asked this question to the so called experts they have said that sugar and carbs are not feeding the cancer. Just trying to address all my concerns while going through chemo. thanks you ladies have been a lifesavor lately for me. Kathy

snowbird_11 · January 2012

Anit-cancer A New Way of
Anit-cancer A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber is an excellent resource,plus several others I have had recommended such as The Cancer Fighting Kitchen. There are numerous discussion threads on the Uterine discussion board regarding diet, nutrition, supplements, etc. The discussions can get a little heatedb with varying opinions butb that usually just makes them more informative ;-)

annecris · January 2012

diet
Hey Hon - i think everything in moderation is a good way to go with an emphasis on a plant based diet - limit the sugar and salt too- I use stevia and agave nector because I am such a sugar freak - and I do some organic chicken and beef a couple of times a month - hey why not - don't put too much stress on yourself - we all know whats good for us - the more veggies the better - there are some really good books at there on cancer and diet- Anti-cancer is really good - its just good to know we can be in conrtol of something with this and diet is definitely one of the things we can do - it just makes sense - i tend to avoid anything that relys on high doses of supplements - especially during chemo - check with your dr. before you take anything herbal etc. - Anyway - stay calm Hon - besides diet our peace of mind has a lot to do with healing too - take care - and stay in PEACE-

annecris · January 2012

diet
Hey Hon - i think everything in moderation is a good way to go with an emphasis on a plant based diet - limit the sugar and salt too- I use stevia and agave nector because I am such a sugar freak - and I do some organic chicken and beef a couple of times a month - hey why not - don't put too much stress on yourself - we all know whats good for us - the more veggies the better - there are some really good books at there on cancer and diet- Anti-cancer is really good - its just good to know we can be in conrtol of something with this and diet is definitely one of the things we can do - it just makes sense - i tend to avoid anything that relys on high doses of supplements - especially during chemo - check with your dr. before you take anything herbal etc. - Anyway - stay calm Hon - besides diet our peace of mind has a lot to do with healing too - take care - and stay in PEACE-

annecris · January 2012

diet
Hey Hon - i think everything in moderation is a good way to go with an emphasis on a plant based diet - limit the sugar and salt too- I use stevia and agave nector because I am such a sugar freak - and I do some organic chicken and beef a couple of times a month - hey why not - don't put too much stress on yourself - we all know whats good for us - the more veggies the better - there are some really good books at there on cancer and diet- Anti-cancer is really good - its just good to know we can be in conrtol of something with this and diet is definitely one of the things we can do - it just makes sense - i tend to avoid anything that relys on high doses of supplements - especially during chemo - check with your dr. before you take anything herbal etc. - Anyway - stay calm Hon - besides diet our peace of mind has a lot to do with healing too - take care - and stay in PEACE-

Tethys41 · January 2012

I agree
with both books recommended by Snowbird. The Cancer Fighting Kitchen Cookbook might be a little easier to follow, as it is a cookbook. The Anti-cancer book discusses the advantages of specific foods, but isn't a cookbook.

Once again, I have to disagree with the position that sugar is okay, even in moderation. When you say you asked the experts, I assume that is your oncologist. Unfortunately, oncologists don't receive education much beyond prescribing pharmaceuticals. There is so much data out there in the integrative world that sugar and starch, which turns into sugar, feed cancer cells. This process is how PET scans work. It would be laughable how misinformed many oncologists are in this venue, were it not so tragic. Again, I reiterate that it is a personal choice as to what you chose to eat.

garden gal · January 2012

Tethys41 said:
I agree
with both books recommended by Snowbird. The Cancer Fighting Kitchen Cookbook might be a little easier to follow, as it is a cookbook. The Anti-cancer book discusses the advantages of specific foods, but isn't a cookbook.

Once again, I have to disagree with the position that sugar is okay, even in moderation. When you say you asked the experts, I assume that is your oncologist. Unfortunately, oncologists don't receive education much beyond prescribing pharmaceuticals. There is so much data out there in the integrative world that sugar and starch, which turns into sugar, feed cancer cells. This process is how PET scans work. It would be laughable how misinformed many oncologists are in this venue, were it not so tragic. Again, I reiterate that it is a personal choice as to what you chose to eat.

Thanks
The experts I was talking about are the onocologist, nurses and nutritional and diet aids at the Cancer Center. All have said we all need to watch are sugar and carb intake but there is no scientific proof thatit feeds cancer cells. Will be looking for the Cancer fighting kitchen cookbook. Once again thank you for all the info.Kathy

carolenk · January 2012

garden gal said:
Thanks
The experts I was talking about are the onocologist, nurses and nutritional and diet aids at the Cancer Center. All have said we all need to watch are sugar and carb intake but there is no scientific proof thatit feeds cancer cells. Will be looking for the Cancer fighting kitchen cookbook. Once again thank you for all the info.Kathy

Carbs promote inflammation
If cancer doesn't feed on sugar, I wonder what it DOES feed on?

I do know that a diet high in sugar/carbs triggers the release of sufficiently high amounts of insulin to lower blood sugar. Insulin is a pro-inflammatory hormone. Inflammation promotes cancer. Whether or not sugar feeds cancer, a high carb diet is not in the best interest of anyone with cancer.

Sugar is also an addictive substance so it doesn't surprise me that it can be difficult to stop eating sugar & high carb foods. Sort of like someone with lung cancer or heart disease who can't quit smoking. I remember when doctors weren't aware of the dangers of smoking & never counseled patients to stop.

I think diet is a very difficult variable to study. What is certainly unknown is how big a role diet plays in the grand scheme of cancer treatment.

kikz · January 2012

carolenk said:
Carbs promote inflammation
If cancer doesn't feed on sugar, I wonder what it DOES feed on?

I do know that a diet high in sugar/carbs triggers the release of sufficiently high amounts of insulin to lower blood sugar. Insulin is a pro-inflammatory hormone. Inflammation promotes cancer. Whether or not sugar feeds cancer, a high carb diet is not in the best interest of anyone with cancer.

Sugar is also an addictive substance so it doesn't surprise me that it can be difficult to stop eating sugar & high carb foods. Sort of like someone with lung cancer or heart disease who can't quit smoking. I remember when doctors weren't aware of the dangers of smoking & never counseled patients to stop.

I think diet is a very difficult variable to study. What is certainly unknown is how big a role diet plays in the grand scheme of cancer treatment.

I have said this here before
but my gyn/onc said to stay away from white foods. I am working on that. I do eat potatoes, pasta and white rice occasionally but aim to eat mostly whole grain products. I eat tons of fruits and vegetables. I am also a Weight Watcher as I am continuing to fight the battle of the bulge. Funny I ate pretty healthfully before I got ov/ca as far as the fruits and vegetables and I did eat whole grain products as well.

I wish somebody had some definitive answers about something!

Karen

garden gal · January 2012

kikz said:
I have said this here before
but my gyn/onc said to stay away from white foods. I am working on that. I do eat potatoes, pasta and white rice occasionally but aim to eat mostly whole grain products. I eat tons of fruits and vegetables. I am also a Weight Watcher as I am continuing to fight the battle of the bulge. Funny I ate pretty healthfully before I got ov/ca as far as the fruits and vegetables and I did eat whole grain products as well.

I wish somebody had some definitive answers about something!

Karen

I too ate good before my ov/ca
Still I have a hard time giving up my pasta,sauce and of course italian bread. I don't have a problem with sugar its the carbs, will be working on that. I think the school is still out on this one. Thanks Kathy

Hissy_Fitz · January 2012

annecris said:
diet
Hey Hon - i think everything in moderation is a good way to go with an emphasis on a plant based diet - limit the sugar and salt too- I use stevia and agave nector because I am such a sugar freak - and I do some organic chicken and beef a couple of times a month - hey why not - don't put too much stress on yourself - we all know whats good for us - the more veggies the better - there are some really good books at there on cancer and diet- Anti-cancer is really good - its just good to know we can be in conrtol of something with this and diet is definitely one of the things we can do - it just makes sense - i tend to avoid anything that relys on high doses of supplements - especially during chemo - check with your dr. before you take anything herbal etc. - Anyway - stay calm Hon - besides diet our peace of mind has a lot to do with healing too - take care - and stay in PEACE-

ANNIE!!!!
How are you???
I
ANNIE!!!!

How are you???

I was just in NYC last week and thought of you. Jonie was on vacation, so I didn't get to see her, either.

As for sugar (carbs, dairy, meat, etc), my diet wasn't "bad" before my diagnosis and I see no reason to change it now. My cousin, who was a strict vegan and never ate sugar, died from lung cancer in her 50's, even though she did not smoke. My Italian, pasta-loving mother-in-law ate more chocolate than anyone I have ever known, and she lived to be 90.

I wonder how many of those ladies on the Titanic waved away the dessert cart, right before they hit the iceberg?

Carlene

zinaida · January 2012

carolenk said:
Carbs promote inflammation
If cancer doesn't feed on sugar, I wonder what it DOES feed on?

I do know that a diet high in sugar/carbs triggers the release of sufficiently high amounts of insulin to lower blood sugar. Insulin is a pro-inflammatory hormone. Inflammation promotes cancer. Whether or not sugar feeds cancer, a high carb diet is not in the best interest of anyone with cancer.

Sugar is also an addictive substance so it doesn't surprise me that it can be difficult to stop eating sugar & high carb foods. Sort of like someone with lung cancer or heart disease who can't quit smoking. I remember when doctors weren't aware of the dangers of smoking & never counseled patients to stop.

I think diet is a very difficult variable to study. What is certainly unknown is how big a role diet plays in the grand scheme of cancer treatment.

Last year, about this time,
Last year, about this time, I had second opinion appointment with oncologist from medical university in Madison,WI. On my question about diet, his answer was "yes, diet can work well, if eat it in elephant dose". So, after that, I am following Carleen's diet.

Love you all, Zina

LaundryQueen · January 2012

Hissy_Fitz said:
ANNIE!!!!
How are you???
I
ANNIE!!!!

How are you???

I was just in NYC last week and thought of you. Jonie was on vacation, so I didn't get to see her, either.

As for sugar (carbs, dairy, meat, etc), my diet wasn't "bad" before my diagnosis and I see no reason to change it now. My cousin, who was a strict vegan and never ate sugar, died from lung cancer in her 50's, even though she did not smoke. My Italian, pasta-loving mother-in-law ate more chocolate than anyone I have ever known, and she lived to be 90.

I wonder how many of those ladies on the Titanic waved away the dessert cart, right before they hit the iceberg?

Carlene

High carb = vegan diet
I realize there really is no hard evidence that any diet can prevent cancer but a vegan diet is by definition a high carb diet & carbs turn to sugar after they are digested.

In any case, I think lung cancer in non-smokers is more lethal than in smokers regardless of diet.. I'm sorry about your cousin, Carlene.

Radioactive34 · January 2012

carolenk said:
Carbs promote inflammation
If cancer doesn't feed on sugar, I wonder what it DOES feed on?

I do know that a diet high in sugar/carbs triggers the release of sufficiently high amounts of insulin to lower blood sugar. Insulin is a pro-inflammatory hormone. Inflammation promotes cancer. Whether or not sugar feeds cancer, a high carb diet is not in the best interest of anyone with cancer.

Sugar is also an addictive substance so it doesn't surprise me that it can be difficult to stop eating sugar & high carb foods. Sort of like someone with lung cancer or heart disease who can't quit smoking. I remember when doctors weren't aware of the dangers of smoking & never counseled patients to stop.

I think diet is a very difficult variable to study. What is certainly unknown is how big a role diet plays in the grand scheme of cancer treatment.

Inflamation
The inflamation thing is a good point. I am wading through The Emperor of All Maladies and that keeps coming up.

I just moved to Denmark. One of the relocation specialists gave me a tour of a grocery store. When we got to the sugar section I asked about sugar alternatives. She looked at me blank eyed. I mentioned Splenda...no reaction...aspartame???? She pointed to a tiny section with literally, tiny quantaties. She said, "We are not a nation of diabetics, so we do not need things like that." So...sugar for my coffee it is. I tried the stevia here and it does not even get near to sweetenning the dark coffees.

I am going to try the agave and see how that works. Though they are utterly pricey out here.

On a good note, the culture here promotes healthy eating and a lot of exercise. I am 6 floors up and try to climb them, unless I am utterly pooped. Then there is a tiny lift.

Good Diet thoughts

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