Eating chocolate and other 'bad' foods.

Trubrit
Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
edited December 2013 in Colorectal Cancer #1

I just posted this on another thread, but thought I'd start a new thread and get others opinions. 

After my bowel resection I asked my GI Doc about taking Pro Biotics, his advice was to go out and order a big steak. 

My Oncologist on the other hand, when I told him I was buying a box of my favourite chocolates (love chocolates more than steak even) about had a conniption. "No, Mrs H. You must not eat chocolate." 

I eat chocolate! Lindt, Toblerone, and as much English chocolate I can get my hands on, which , sadly isn't much. 

Still, I can't help but feel that maybe I'm feeding some little cancer cells that are eager to grow. 

So, do we cut out everything made of sugar, red meat, fatty foods, do we enjoy the moment and eat what we want  when we want, or do we find a middle ground, enjoying our treats without going overboard? 

Comments

  • TheLadySkye
    TheLadySkye Member Posts: 203 Member
    #2
    I Wish I Knew

    I wish I knew the answer to that question.  Upon talking to several friends who have loved ones who have battled cancer, several of them were advised to stay away from sugar.  When I asked my doctors if I should be avoiding that too, they said it was not necessary.  Everything in moderation.  What we eat is converted into sugar in our bodies anyway.  I'm not really sure what to make of it.  I certainly don't want to be "feeding the cancer" so to speak, but I can't get any of my oncologists or surgeons to tell me I should be avoiding it even when I ask.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #3
    sugar

    I think there is a big debate over whether this is true or ont. My brother's doctor told us that sugar feeds cancer, so he needs to stay away from it. It's hard for my brother to really understand this and I've caught him sneaking it a few times. I have to chuckle, but it does worry me. I really don't know how to answer your question other than to agree, everything in moderation.

    Lin

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #4
    I think eating healthy is always a good idea,

    and I think having the occasional treat is also a good idea!  The evidence about sugar and cancer is very inconclusive (or even mythical, if you take the word of the researchers at Mayo Clinic).  

    One of the saddest stories I ever read was about a young girl dying of cancer, who was deprived of all sugar at the end of her life in a desperate bid to cure her.  She missed her little treats so much, and of course, she died anyway.  That really broke my heart.

    I eat steak, drink gin, have a pice of candy now and then...I also eat kale, bok choy, cabbage (all alleged cancer fighters), and other healthy stuff on a regular basis.  I figure it all kind of balances out.

    I do think the one lifestyle change that can really help is exercise, as there is a fair bit of evidence to suggest that it may help us to avoid recurrence (although even with this, there is always the question of causation vs correlation). 

    Now if I could just put down the laptop and get off this couch...

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #5
    Diet

    I've asked both of my doctors about diet and they said it wasn't anything I'd ate or drank that caused my cancer.  The only thing I've changed was eating less steak but only because it constipates me, but I'm still eating it.  I'm not a real big sweet eater,  but I'll have pie, cookies, ice cream once in awhile.  I've never once been told by anyone of my doctors to cut anything out of my diet.  Guess you have to do what is good for you.  Take an infant that gets cancer and all those little children at St. Jude's Hospital - they surely haven't had a life full of red meat and sweets and they are there because they have cancer.

    Kim

  • joemetz
    joemetz Member Posts: 493
    #6
    annalexandria said:

    I think eating healthy is always a good idea,

    and I think having the occasional treat is also a good idea!  The evidence about sugar and cancer is very inconclusive (or even mythical, if you take the word of the researchers at Mayo Clinic).  

    One of the saddest stories I ever read was about a young girl dying of cancer, who was deprived of all sugar at the end of her life in a desperate bid to cure her.  She missed her little treats so much, and of course, she died anyway.  That really broke my heart.

    I eat steak, drink gin, have a pice of candy now and then...I also eat kale, bok choy, cabbage (all alleged cancer fighters), and other healthy stuff on a regular basis.  I figure it all kind of balances out.

    I do think the one lifestyle change that can really help is exercise, as there is a fair bit of evidence to suggest that it may help us to avoid recurrence (although even with this, there is always the question of causation vs correlation). 

    Now if I could just put down the laptop and get off this couch...

    AA - Amen!!

    AA

    everything you said is spot on.  We think so much alike... but my problem is getting enough of the "good cancer fighting foods".

    I have found that i LOVE ice cream sandwiches... so i have one every night.

     

    I think many of the doctors look at someone who is stage 1 or 2 or possibly 3, they push for the diet and obstain from sugars. But, if you're a stage 4... the facts are on the table... your life has been shortened just no one really knows for 100% sure if it will give us more life, or if the pleasures of something we LOVE would be a better cure to prolong life.

    I believe a bit of both... but lately, i believe more in Pleasures, "hangover foods on day after chemo" and eating as much as I can, anytime i feel like it and whenever & whatever i feel like eating.

    food is a pleasure thing to me.

     

    I also believe if we can gain or maintain weight during chemo and NOT lose weight that we are better off than losing weight that we never seem to gain back.

    so eating is my way to gain weight. I love to walk, and since i also have cacner if ove a dozen bones.... i just walk. nothing else becuase i cannot afford an accident because if i break a bone it most likely will never heal.

    so, i gotta get out of the lazboy... and get myself an ice cream sandwhich early for today!

     

  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #7
    alas sugar kills is my view

    But 100% dark choc.  One square not the hole block is my treat.

    So much science on ultra low carb presented at last weekends conference. 

    A healthy life Iis sweet enough without sugar.

    Its the easiest sacritice not. But I know the science and its a very easy commit ment for me.

    So glad I tried other diet s before settling on the hyper ketogenic diet using map.

  • Coloncancerblows
    Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
    #8
    Hey Sue!
    I eat everything I

    Hey Sue!

    I eat everything I want to!  I have had to cut out salads and green vegetables because I'm on cumadin.  I'm hoping my scan in January comes out good and I can stop taking the blood thinner.  But I put sugar in my coffee every day, eat chocolate, ice cream....everything!

    Cynthia

  • Gavin63
    Gavin63 Member Posts: 98 Member
    #9
    Hi Trubrit,
    I also hear that

    Hi Trubrit,

    I also hear that Sugar feeds cancer. Having said that My Onc says eat whatever you like in moderate quantities & what you eat has very little to do with cancer. It was 1 week since I went for my 1st round of Chemo (Oxy + Xeloda) By yesterday I have gained my normal appetite back. Perhaps the effect of Oxy with the appetite is gone by now. So I am going to enjoy my meals to the maximum till I go for my 2nd round of Oxy on the 19th        

     Try & eat less sweets (nothing to lose but everything to gain) & party once a week. That's what I do. We shouldn’t regret that we sacrificed the quality of our life to this beast. Keep going.

    Gavin

     

     

  • biglaur
    biglaur Member Posts: 72 Member
    #10
    I'm glad you started this

    I was diagnosed in Sept '06...Stage 4.  I've been NED since early '09...but I never thought I was a very good cancer patient.  I have a BIG sweet tooth and just couldn't go the completely organic, juicing "good for me" diet.  I figured I needed a vice to keep me going and sane...I'm still here...I don't eat much meat, I do eat lots of salads and veggies...but I like my cookies!!!!  I guess all in moderation. Having been through what we've been through...enjoying life everyday is important too.  I guess I just shouldn't feel guilty about it.  Each day is an adventure and cookies just add to it.  Keep strong everybody...

    Laurie

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #11
    Coloncancerblows said:

    Hey Sue!
    I eat everything I

    Hey Sue!

    I eat everything I want to!  I have had to cut out salads and green vegetables because I'm on cumadin.  I'm hoping my scan in January comes out good and I can stop taking the blood thinner.  But I put sugar in my coffee every day, eat chocolate, ice cream....everything!

    Cynthia

    I mix a little coffee...

    in with my cream and sugar every day! Foot in Mouth

    Good luck on that scan...I'm betting it's going to be great news!

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #12
    joemetz said:

    AA - Amen!!

    AA

    everything you said is spot on.  We think so much alike... but my problem is getting enough of the "good cancer fighting foods".

    I have found that i LOVE ice cream sandwiches... so i have one every night.

     

    I think many of the doctors look at someone who is stage 1 or 2 or possibly 3, they push for the diet and obstain from sugars. But, if you're a stage 4... the facts are on the table... your life has been shortened just no one really knows for 100% sure if it will give us more life, or if the pleasures of something we LOVE would be a better cure to prolong life.

    I believe a bit of both... but lately, i believe more in Pleasures, "hangover foods on day after chemo" and eating as much as I can, anytime i feel like it and whenever & whatever i feel like eating.

    food is a pleasure thing to me.

     

    I also believe if we can gain or maintain weight during chemo and NOT lose weight that we are better off than losing weight that we never seem to gain back.

    so eating is my way to gain weight. I love to walk, and since i also have cacner if ove a dozen bones.... i just walk. nothing else becuase i cannot afford an accident because if i break a bone it most likely will never heal.

    so, i gotta get out of the lazboy... and get myself an ice cream sandwhich early for today!

     

    Eating well is one of the great pleasures of life, imo.

    And it is critical to maintain weight, which can be hard to do if you cut out all of the so-called "unhealthy foods", like meat, pasta, breads, dairy, etc.  I lost almost 50 pounds while I was sick, and I am much happier now that I've gained it all back (plus some...ahem).

    And walking is a great way to get some exercise!  I really don't think it needs to be intense (and clearly for you, it shouldn't be) to get some gains from it.  If nothing else, it gets those endorphins going, and that is good for our mental state!

  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #13
    biglaur said:

    I'm glad you started this

    I was diagnosed in Sept '06...Stage 4.  I've been NED since early '09...but I never thought I was a very good cancer patient.  I have a BIG sweet tooth and just couldn't go the completely organic, juicing "good for me" diet.  I figured I needed a vice to keep me going and sane...I'm still here...I don't eat much meat, I do eat lots of salads and veggies...but I like my cookies!!!!  I guess all in moderation. Having been through what we've been through...enjoying life everyday is important too.  I guess I just shouldn't feel guilty about it.  Each day is an adventure and cookies just add to it.  Keep strong everybody...

    Laurie

    count me in

    count me in on the "I would like to have a treatie when I want one Club" AA I had a dear friend who was stage 4 and clearly dying.  Her care-givers suggested a very strict macrobiotic diet and she did it and she died.  I am not saying  she died because of the diet but what possible good it could have done at that late stage i do not know.  This was a gal who loved her steak her red wine and the finest muffins thank you very much....it was very sad I thought...

    I too love kale and all brasicas, beans and lentils....you name the fruit or veg and i like it.  But i also like Friday nite steak nite.....with a glass of vino rosso.  I do find red meat quite constipating now so a piece smaller than a playing card is plenty for me.  And Trubrit.....i am right behind you in the chocolate line......what the heck! such good stuffSmile

    mags

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    #14
    I've done both and with mixed results

    I've gone processed sugar free and had a recurrance.  I've eaten what I want and had a recurrance.  It gets so hard to keep up the strict diet when it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference.  I've even done a lot of exercising or little and same results.  I now go by the everything in moderation mentality. Traci

  • Goldie1
    Goldie1 Member Posts: 264 Member
    #15
    Sugar

    My husband has never been really big on sweets.  But, if he has a craving for something sweet instead of something healthy, I say go for it and have no regrets!

    Ellen

Discussion Boards