A healthy diet after cancer treatment can be beneficial to your well-being. Although there is no evidence that specific foods will prevent your cancer from returning, eating the right foods can help reduce the risk for other diseases and improve your overall health. A healthy diet is one that includes:
- Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
- Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
- Low amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Check with your doctor for any prescribed diet restrictions.
- Eat at least 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day; including dark-green leafy, and deep yellow, orange vegetables.
- Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, such as whole grain breads and cereals.
- Cut back on the amount of fat in your meals by baking or broiling foods.
- Choose and prepare foods with little added salt. Avoid foods that are smoked, or pickled.
- Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars or sweetners.
- If you drink, limit alcoholic drinks to no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
- If you are overweight, cut back on the amount of calories in your diet and increase your daily physical activity.
- Practice proper handling and storage of food. Cook foods well to kill bacteria.
- Ask a dietitian to help you create a healthy eating plan
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