A Healthy Lifestyle is Essential For Battling Cancer

It has been estimated by the World Cancer Research Fund that one-quarter to one-third of the cancers that occur in the United States are due to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and excess weight. This research supports the Stram Center's belief that embracing a healthy lifestyle is essential for anyone whose life is unfortunately touched with cancer. A healthy lifestyle can be defined by diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep.

Follow the recommendations and recipes below to optimize your health for cancer prevention, treatment, and survival.

1. Minimize pro-inflammatory foods

2. Boost your immune system

3. Promote a stable blood sugar

4. Balance your hormonal risk

5. Maximize the nutrient density of your diet: antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals- kale salad

6. Embrace all aspects of a healthy lifestyle

7. Pick your battles

Plant-based foods are rich in protective compounds including antioxidants/phytochemicals, which help boost the immune system and fight off cancer. Plant based foods are also rich in dietary fiber, which helps keep the bowels healthy, as well as help to grab onto and pull out excess hormones, cholesterol, drug metabolites, toxins, etc. Antioxidants, phytochemicals, and dietary fibers are a huge part of protecting against and fighting cancer in the body. These compounds are only found in plants, which mean the animal based foods are lacking in these protective compounds. Make dietary changes at your pace, but always work towards including as many plant based foods as possible to optimize your health for cancer prevention, treatment, and survival. See the following blog post for a tasty fall friendly anti-cancer recipe.

Curried Autumn Stew

Recipe By: Eric C. Sharer, MPH, RD, CSO, CDN Serves 6

Ingredients

4 cups water 4 cupsvegetable stock
*1-3 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 eachlarge onion, peeled, cored, and diced
1 eachbell pepper, cored and diced
6 each large garlic cloves, peeled and diced
4 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced (approx. 1 medium or ½ large squash) 2 cupcabbage, shredded (approx. ½ small head)
1 each15-oz can diced tomatoes
*2 tbsp curry powder
*2 tsp. cumin*2 tsp. ground paprika
*½ tsp. black pepper
1 each15-oz can kidney or black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups fresh or frozen organic corn2-3 tbsp. Vinegar of choice such as brown rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

* Season soup according to taste. Also add any of your favorite vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, etc.

Directions

1.Add all ingredients to a large pot except for the beans, corn, and vinegar. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.

2.Cover and simmer until the squash and remaining vegetables are tender. Approximately 15-20 minutes.

3.Add the beans and corn. Cook for 5 minutes longer.

Adjust the seasoning according to taste and add the vinegar, stir thoroughly and serve.For those who dislike vinegar leave it out or pour ½ tsp. per individual bowl.



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