Eating a healthy and balanced diet is crucial when you have breast cancer. Proper nutrition can aid your body in fighting cancer and healing from chemotherapy and radiation treatment. A proper diet consisting of breast cancer-fighting foods may help you maintain muscle and body tissue, keep a healthy body weight, lessen cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, strengthen your immune system, reduce fatigue, improve energy levels, and improve your overall quality of life.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to state exactly what the best foods for cancer treatment are, but we have put together all the essential information you need to know to help you start designing a cancer-treating diet plan.
Which Foods Kill Breast Cancer Cells?
While there is no single food that can completely kill breast cancer cells, there are some that work toward fighting cancer. A plant-based diet is generally recommended for breast cancer. A triple-negative breast cancer diet will usually be predominantly plant-based, with the exception of fatty fish.
Mushrooms
According to research published in the Internation Journal of Cancer, one serving of fungi a day may help prevent and inhibit cancer cell growth. Reishi mushrooms are the most widely used mushroom for the prevention of cancer and to inhibit tumor growth. Mushrooms are considered a superfood and pack a nutritional punch, as well.
Navy Beans and Legumes
Beans and legumes are full of fiber. According to Harvard experts, the risk of breast cancer appears to drop by 7% for every 10 grams of fiber consumed daily. Fiber may reduce estrogen levels in the blood, which are closely connected to the development and growth of breast cancer.
Walnuts
The gamma-tocopherol compound in walnuts has been observed to inhibit the activation of Akt, an enzyme necessary for the survival of cancer cells, without damaging healthy cells. Phytosterols, another compound in walnuts, assists with managing estrogen levels and prevents the growth of breast cancer cells by blocking estrogen receptors.
Cooked Tomato
Cooked tomato may actually reduce the risk of breast cancer. A recent study published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute found that lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, may effectively treat more difficult types of breast cancer.
Folate-Rich Foods
Folate seems to reduce the risk and growth of breast cancer. High-folate foods include leafy greens, strawberries, oranges, and legumes.
Eggs
A recent study by the US National Institutes of Health found that choline, an essential nutrient in eggs, was associated with a 24% reduced risk of breast cancer.
Carrots
Carrots contain carotenoids which are powerful antioxidants. According to a study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women with higher levels of carotenoids in the blood were 18-28% less likely to get breast cancer.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower release compounds that may have an anti-cancer effect. Sulforaphane, an anti-inflammatory substance within cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to remove breast cancer-causing compounds and inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells.
Other foods that are recommended for breast cancer include curcumin, olive oil, berries, fatty fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, pomegranates, vitamin D, sweet potatoes, ginger, green tea, and apples.
Foods That Maintain Overall Health With Breast Cancer
Wholesome, nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, plant-based protein sources like lentils and nuts, animal protein sources like turkey and chicken, and fatty fish like trout or salmon are important for maintaining your overall health.
Foods high in protein and healthy fats also play a crucial role. If you need to gain or maintain weight, incorporate sources of healthy fat like avocados, nuts and seeds, olive oil, and protein sources like eggs, chicken, fish, and lentils. Protein-rich foods are particularly important for maintaining muscle mass.
Blended liquids like smoothies, juices, or soups are great for when you don‘t feel like eating solid food. High-fiber foods like wholegrains, legumes, flax seeds, vegetables, and fruits can be eaten to alleviate constipation.
Eating foods that contain compounds known as phytochemicals will help the body fight cancer. Phytochemicals are present primarily in plant-based foods.
Foods to Avoid With Breast Cancer
Cancer results in a compromised immune system, so you should stay away from foods that may carry foodborne illnesses, including:
- Undercooked or raw fish
- Soft-cooked eggs or food that contains raw eggs, such as homemade mayonnaise
- Unpasteurized cheeses and dairy products
- Unwashed fruits or vegetables
Other foods to avoid include:
- Alcohol – Alcohol may interfere with the cancer medication you are taking.
- Spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods – These types of food could increase mouth soreness, which is already a common side effect of chemotherapy.
- Red and processed meat – Red and processed meats have been linked to lower dietary quality. Poor diet results in a higher risk of mortality.
- Artificially sweetened beverages – Consuming less added sugar can help you maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being.
- Processed foods and refined grains – A recent study found a 10% increase in breast cancer risk for people who eat extremely processed foods.
- Caffeine – Although caffeine isn’t a food, avoiding it will help shrink breast cysts.
Estrogen-Positive Breast Cancer
An effective treatment for estrogen-positive breast cancer requires suppressing estrogen levels in the body. There are certain foods high in estrogen that you should avoid with breast cancer.
Diets That Boost Health With Breast Cancer
Keto Diet
A ketogenic diet is a low-calorie and low-carbohydrate diet. According to new studies, a ketogenic diet lowers the level of insulin and glucose in the blood, which are necessary for tumor growth. Therefore, the keto diet has emerged as a possible treatment option for various cancers, including breast cancer.
Mediterranean Diet
This diet places emphasis on fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Studies suggest that sticking to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of cancer mortality as well as an increase in immune system functioning.
In Summary
Fueling your body with wholesome and healthy foods when you have breast cancer has many benefits. A plant-based diet is generally recommended for cancer patients. A good eating plan will help you feel better faster, boost your immune system, and keep your strength up.
