Care for Your Health & Improve Quality of Life after Cancer Treatment

Cancer is one of the most serious, life-threatening health conditions. And, battling cancer involves a lot of courage, a great deal of medical treatment, proper nutritional care, and rest. Currently, cancer-battling patients are in large numbers in our country. As far as cancer prevalence in our nation is concerned, 1 in 9 individuals in India is likely to develop cancer in his or her lifetime. Breast cancer and lung cancer are the prominent types of cancers in females and males respectively. National Cancer Survivors Day is observed on the first Sunday of June every year to celebrate the courage and determination of cancer survivors. A cancer survivor is a person who has been diagnosed with cancer, overcome the dreaded disease, and survived after receiving the treatment. There are even survivors having lasting effects on their lives and that impacts their near and dear ones. This year, National Cancer Survivors Day will be observed on 4^th June 2023. The theme of this global health awareness day in 2023 is “Celebrating Life and Hope”. It aims to express and honour the spirit of the people battling cancer, celebrate the triumph of life over deadly cancer, and instil hope in the heart of cancer survivors, those battling cancer, and their loved ones. It aims to emphasize the fact that cancer diagnosis does not lower the morale of cancer survivors; their determination and resilience to live deserve admiration and inspiration.

A healthy lifestyle involving a nutritious diet and good physical activity helps improve the life and well-being of cancer survivors and those battling cancer. It also helps lower the risk of secondary cancers. So, after winning over cancer, you should not ignore your diet. The guidance of certified dieticians can help you have a balanced diet plan, such as a breast cancer diet chart or cervical cancer diet, to improve your health, weight, and immunity. So, you might be wondering which healthy dietary practices cancer survivors should follow to improve their health, aren’t you? Get to know everything about the right diet tips for cancer survivors below.

7 Healthy Dietary Practices for Cancer Survivors for a Healthy Life:

Here is a list of healthy dietary measures that can help cancer survivors regain their health and lower the risk of recurrence.

1. Choose a Balanced Diet:

A diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains is healthy for cancer survivors. So, ensure that your diet has:

• Nutritious sources of carbohydrates, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• A minimum of 1.5 to 2 cups of fresh fruits and 2.5 to 3 cups of fresh vegetables daily.
• Protein low in saturated fats. So, go for eggs, fish, legumes, seeds, nuts, and lean meats.
• Healthy fats that comprise omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish and walnuts.

Such a healthy diet will ensure that you will receive ample antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, protein, and other essential nutrients that help restore your health and make your body strong after you have succeeded in battling cancer. Fresh cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli, are abundant in fibre. Eating these vegetables has been found to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Although any cancer cure such as ovarian cancer cured by diet can’t be promised, phytochemicals in these vegetables safeguard your body cells from damage.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight:

Most often, cancer survivors are found to have lost a lot of weight or experienced undesirable weight gain after the treatment. Following the right healthy diet can help you get back into the healthy weight range. If a cancer survivor has experienced great weight loss during the treatment such as cervical cancer weight loss or ovarian cancer weight loss, a balanced diet can help improve weight. The precious guidance of certified dieticians and nutritionists can prove worthy in regaining weight after battling cancer. It may also help you minimize other effects of the treatment, such as nausea, pain, and other undesirable adverse effects.

If you are a cancer survivor who wishes to lose weight, have a word with a certified dietician to lose weight slowly. You may try to lose not more than 1 kg weight a week. Regulate the intake of your daily calories, stay active, and lose excess weight slowly but healthily.

3. Savour Berries:

Berries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants that are quite effective in preventing cancer. So, berries are one of the healthiest ingredients in diet for cancer survivors. Besides antioxidants, berries also contain vitamin C and phytochemicals that help minimize oxidative stress. Adding berries to the breast cancer diet chart can help improve breast cancer-specific survival markedly. So, be sure that your diet consists of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Eating a half-cup of fresh berries daily can help improve your overall health.

4. Avoid Processed Meat and Red Meat:

Excess intake of processed meats increases one’s risk of developing colon cancer. Processed meats are known to be a Group 1 carcinogen. So, it is wise for cancer survivors to refrain from consuming processed meats, such as hot dogs, deli meats, bacon, and sausage. Red meat is found to be a probable carcinogen, as it has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen. So, it is wise to avoid or limit the intake of red meat. For cancer survivors, avoiding red meat may help prevent relapse of cancer. So, refrain from consuming lamb, pork, and other kinds of red meat. Instead of this, choose plant-based protein food options, such as lentils, nuts, seeds, and beans. You may also go for healthier meats, such as fish and chicken, in moderation.

5. Say No to Alcohol:

The diet plan of cancer survivors should not contain alcohol. Alcohol is known to be a carcinogen. Heavy drinking can increase one’s risk of developing seven types of cancer that include cancers of the breast, liver, mouth, colorectal, esophagus, stomach, and throat. The more you consume alcohol, the greater the risk of cancer. So, make sure that your cervical cancer weight loss diet plan, ovarian cancer weight loss diet, or any diet plan does not contain alcohol.

6. Minimize the Intake of Saturated Fats:

Saturated fats are found in butter, cheese, fat-containing milk, and meats. These fats are known to be solid at room temperature. So, you should consume them in moderation if you can’t avoid them. Cancer survivors can substitute saturated fats with healthier fats, such as monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Opting for healthier fats can help prevent you from turning obese and lower your risk of developing different types of cancers and chronic ailments.

A low-fat diet can help minimize breast cancer mortality. Also, minimizing saturated fat content in the diet of prostate cancer survivors can help minimize the risk of the recurrence of cancer. Reducing the intake of saturated fats in a breast cancer diet chart or any other diet of cancer survivors not only helps in the prevention of the recurrence of cancer but also helps in the prevention of all chronic health conditions.

7. Reduce Processed and Sugary Beverages:

Processed drinks are low in nutrients and high in sugary calories. Even when it’s labelled as 100% fruit juice on the processed fruit juice package, it is closer to a sugary beverage. The intake of soda and sugary sports drinks can make you gain undesirable weight and turn obese over time. Obesity increases your risk of cancer or its recurrence. So, cancer survivors should reduce their intake of processed and sugary drinks. Maintaining a healthy is effective in lowering the risk of various cancers, such as cancer of the kidney, breast, colon, lung, and prostate. Instead of processed fruit juices, eat whole fruit. It provides you with plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that help in cancer prevention.

Besides adopting these healthy diet tips, regular exercise, adequate sleep, minimizing stress, and avoiding tobacco can help cancer survivors improve their health and in the prevention of cancer recurrence. So, develop these healthy habits.

Now that you know which dietary practices are healthy for cancer survivors to improve their health and quality of life, recommend them to your near ones who have battled cancer. Let’s spread the word about the significance of a healthy, balanced diet this National Cancer Survivors Day so that a maximum number of individuals may benefit from them. The precious guidance of certified dieticians and nutritionists, such as health experts at Health Total, can help cancer patients and cancer survivors have a personalized diet plan, such as a breast cancer diet chart, for maximum health benefits. Our diet plan not only helps improve your health but also manages your weight, boosts your immunity, and prevents or lowers potential health risks. So, think no further, get in touch with us at Health Total and step up to help cancer survivors lead a healthy life with our customised diet plan.

Sign up for a FREE consultation with Health Total experts to get more tips for improving your health with diet during and after battling cancer or managing any other health condition. Call toll-free at 1-800-833-171709 and Book Free Consultation!