Special Diet to Fight Cancer

According to information from the Mayo Clinic, cancer is a disease in which your own cells mutate and begin dividing out of control. If left untreated, cancer will result in death as the "rebel" cells interfere with normal biological processes. Fighting against cancer is a war which takes place on several fronts--if confronted with the disease you must utilize all variables at your disposal to effectuate its defeat. One of the options you have to fight off cancer is a cancer-fighting diet, rich with compounds that are proven to slow or stop the spread of cancer.

Cancer-Fighting Diet

• According to information from the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the website HealthCastle.com, the best diet to fight off cancer is a diet in which the majority of its nutrition comes from plant-based foods like grains, fruits and vegetables while limiting the consumption of red meat, saturated fat and trans fats. At least 60 percent of every meal should consist of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Aim to follow the "rainbow rule," in that you should consume at least one serving of fruits and vegetables from each color of the rainbow every single day. This will guarantee that your body is fed a sufficient variety of vitamins and nutrients to help turn the tables in the fight against cancer. Specific foods to include are leafy green vegetables, cabbage, broccoli, all types of berries, soy, all types of grains, tomatoes and beans. Additionally, consider adding green tea into your diet, as it contains a number of compounds that can help to prevent or slow the spread of cancer. The remainder of your diet should consist of natural foods--avoid processed and pre-packaged items, sticking to fresh meats, seafood and poultry, along with consuming plenty of healthy fat from nuts, seeds and oils (flax, fish, olive, palm, peanut, coconut and sesame).

Meal Ideas

• Follow this sample menu plan for a day's worth of cancer-fighting meals. Breakfast on a cancer-fighting diet might consists of a three-egg omelet with tomatoes, whole wheat toast and a fruit salad containing blueberries, strawberries, grapes and apple slices. Lunch on the plan might be a turkey sandwich (made from fresh turkey and not processed meat) served on nine-grain bread with lettuce, tomato and fresh-sliced deli cheese. Dinner on the plan could be seared tuna with whole-wheat rolls, brown rice and a garden salad made with spinach, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and lettuce, served with a balsamic or olive oil dressing.