What the H to eat???

I'LL JOIN YOU IN THAT OREO FEST!
But seriously, it's never too late, Froggy. It's really an on-going mission for me. We've always eaten healthy, wisely, but after my cancer dx in 2000 I started research and rethinking some things. I never was into soy products (except I loved toasted soy nuts in my homemade trail mix), but I certainly realized that soy products are a no-no for me - anything that encourages estrogen production is out of the question. So, I also nixed the flaxseed I was using, and don't eat pomegranates too often. I guess for most people, it comes down to 'in moderation'. I agree. But some things I definitely never eat.

So, in a nutshell, my diet consists of lean protein (hormone free chicken, turkey, fish, eggs), green veges (broccoli has actually been shown to prevent ovarian cancer, but the cooked form!), fruits (mostly berries because of their high vitamin C and fiber content and other nutrients), apples, water (yes, I have a water filter and try to stay away from the those wonderful 'ester bottles'), whole grains, low fat dairy such as yogurt, 1/2% milk with my whole grain cereal. I do take supplements, but I won't bore you with the list unless you'd like to know. But I do want to mention that I take AHCC, a specifically patented form of mushroom.

It can be overwhelming at times, but you just have to find what works for you. I definitely saw a correlation between certain foods ingested before my CA125 bloodwork and a slight rise in the numbers. Some foods can cause inflammation, which can cause a rise in numbers (among other things).

Do I 'treat' myself from time to time? Yes! But I feel that if I'm really disciplined at least 6 days a week, one day a week I treat myself with something special. And there are people who don't think that what you put in your mouth has anything to do with disease, cancer, etc. I disagree - just my thoughts!

Anyway, hope this helps. Holding up my imaginary glass of red wine! - CHEERS!

Monika

Tina Brown said:

Healthy diet
I just think a healthy diet, all things in moderation can only be good for us. Most of my adult live I have eaten a healthy diet (particulary because I wanted to keep my weight down). My diet has been rich in vegetables, fruit, lean meats, potatoes, pasta, rice, dairy food etc. I have always enjoyed wine in moderation - so WHY DID I GET CANCER?

Since diagnosis I have continued with my diet and have sometimes indulged in the odd cake and rich curry or Italian meal. I have also increased the amount of wine I consume because that is one of the few things I actually enjoy at the moment.

I think the point I am trying to make is - I don't honestly think what you eat effects cancer. I had cancer despite my healthy diet & lifestyle (I was a runner) I think I had cancer because my mum & me both had a defective gene BRCA2 and is was just BAD LUCK. My mum died of bowel/liver cancer 18 months ago but had breast cancer when she was my age!!!!

I think cancer is a thing we can't control with food. What we can do is eat a healthy diet so we are better prepared and healthy enought to fight the b******* if it rears its ugly head.

Tina xx

My philosophy.......life is
My philosophy.......life is short; have the cheesecake. Seriously, a healthy diet is a no-brainer - especially for anyone who is seriously ill, has issues with blood and white counts, etc. But don't obsess over it to the point that when you go out for dinner, you insist on a raw vegan place that serves warm yeast balls instead of dinner rolls.

Red wine is GOOD for a low RBC. If you enjoy a nice 6 oz steak now and again, go for it. Grilled chicken is super healthy and I love it. I also love a nice fillet of fried catfish, some shrimp scampi with butter sauce and hot garlic bread on the side.

Common sense is your friend. Watch your portions and don't eat that whole left over pecan pie in a single day.

Carlene

LPack said:

Eating
W E L L . . . . . .

I just had cheesecake after dinner and don't feel guilty at all. I too have always eaten very healthy. I have always eaten well.

We eat fruits and veggies, drink lots of water, unsweetened tea, coffee. Wine? Well, I have indulged in a glass once in awhile in my 54 years (not really - some after the kids were older and only at dinner usually out), but with low platelets and chemo, wine is not a choice now.

We buy a beef and also eat chicken and fish. Not much pork, but have cut all portions down. Did not really realize how much American portions are so much bigger. The Mediterranean Diet seems to be the healthiest for our family. My husband and middle son have both lost weight.

I had a friend give me a list of cancer fighting foods and another give me an article on pureed asparagus twice a day. And then remember the apricot seeds?? The young man who told me he had taken them after being diagnosed with cancer in his knee when he was 13, it came back last year in his knee.

Who really knows??? Moderation in everything.

Living for Eternity,
Libby

Check out the Uterine Cancer Board here for 'anti-cancer diets'
Half of the ladies posting on the Uterine Cancer Board are on an extreme anti-cancer diet that includes eating tumeric mixed with olive oil and black pepper, and lots of raw vegetable juicing. With Monday's lit-up PET scan, I thought maybe I'd try that diet if my oncologists allow me to continue my break from chemo.

But I just had that whole 'anti-cancer' diet emailed me today and I just don't think I can do this. It says no tomatoes (and I just put in 9 tomato plants in my organic garden!) And it says no wheat products! I've always eaten a healthy diet of whole grain and fresh organic vegetables, etc. Maybe this special alkaline anti-cancer diet would help me keep my cancer in check, but I just don't think I can give up tomato sandwiches made with garden tomatoes still warm from the summer sun. I love this earth, and as long as I am here I want to savor every delicious thing. I'm with you: life is too short not to have the cheesecake!

kayandok said:

I can't live without my tomatoes!!
I agree with you, in fact I crave fresh tomatoes, especially during chemo treatments, and know that they are good for my body. Dr. Servan-Schreiber's Anti-Cancer includes a lot of them, and his philosophy rings true with me. But, I guess you have to follow your gut feeling on that, there are so many differing opinions. I do respect Dr. Weil a lot, and he claims that the alkaline thing is silly. I don't know about that, but do know that I would be so stressed trying to follow it, that I would get more sick from the stress, lol.

I think the key is common sense and moderation. And the sense I have is that it really doesn't matter when it comes to cancer, it is not a respecter of people who eat well/or don't. I know a few gals in remission for years, that have not done one thing different with their diet and continue to stay there, go figure!

I do however agree with Dr. Servan, that excercise is a huge key, because it relieves built-up stress.

Just my two cents,
kathleen:)

You are so right
Kathleen,

You hit it on the head!! Cancer is no respector of persons.

We will never figure this out. But moderation and common sense in all we do is a plus!!

Thanks,
Libby