ER+ ladies, what do you eat?

Lacey12

Hi Mandy,

I agree...I'm pretty much a foodie, so the self imposed restrictions on some of my favorite, even otherwise healthy foods, are really frustrating!

I have been getting my information about what to eat or not if you are estrogen positive, from this site which I believe I learned about from one of these chat forums.



http://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/what-should-hormone-receptor-positive-(er+-slash-pr+)-breast-cancer-patients-and-survivors-eat?





http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/sesame-seeds-and-sesame-oil



I have no idea who writes this food recommendation site, but it certainly is supplemented by many legitimate research articles.



I would be elated if I found it to be a fallacious crock of info, and would run right to the kitchen and have tahini laden hummus with wheat crackers with a glass of white wine! But I do think it has researched data on its side.:(

So there is the challenge to make many new and interesting foods feel familiar while supporting my health!

Hope that helps....:)

Mandy1313

Hi Lacey!

Thanks for pointing me towards the "food for breast cancer" website.    While the "foods for breast cancer" website is helpful, I think sesame seeds are one of those question marks. After reading the "foods for breast cancer" site on sesame seeds, I googled "sesame seeds" and "breast cancer".  I found sources saying they were preventative; sources saying they were neutral; in addition to your site. This is what drives me nuts about trying to work out a healthy diet...no one knows and there is contradictory information everywhere.  I don't eat enough sesame seeds for me to do a major research on this and  I thank you for your time in showing me the "food for breast cancer" site.

Mandy

dancetrancer

Oh my gosh, ladies, I've been looking for another oncologist to get an opinion from in my area, and I happened upon this doc.  I have an appt with him next week.  I am so excited to meet this doctor!!!  He is an oncologist that went back to be a chef in order to design foods that cancer patients would find appetizing and would be healthful for them, especially when going through radiation or chemotherapy.   He has over 25 years as a board certified oncologist, amongst other board certifications. 

http://www.cookingwithcancer.org/ 

dancetrancer

Just noticed he has a free ebook (cookbook) you can download:

http://www.cookingwithcancer.org/cookbook.asp 

Merilee

ok so far foods that have opposing research are: Sesame, flax, soy, ginger, organic dairy-any others?

I tend to be sceptical when I see mixed results in research. One of the key components to good research is consistency in the findings. To me this means there is some variable that has not been accounted for. Harvard and Cornell should not be printing studies that say opposite things. What is wrong with this picture?

Momine

I think ginger is OK actually, but I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time).

Part of the problem is, I think, that not a lot of well designed research has been done on this, and also that when foods are deemed "good" it is not always made clear why, i.e. it is not clear what the food in question does. 

My current mini-obsession is inflammation, since I found out that lymphedema is mostly an inflammation problem, and started for me with the inflammation brought on by the taxotere. Inflammation is supposedly a bad thing all around, so I have been trying to curb the problem with diet, and I have been surprised by how doable that is. I find that copious amounts of fresh chilis and garlic work better than ibuprofen and the like. I mentioned the chili discovery to my BS and he was aware of it and confirmed it. 

Merilee

I love all the hot spices. My mini obsession currently is learning to use fresh herbs to up the nutritional value of dishes.

The foods I mentioned above are supposedly ones that  have an "estorgenic effect."  Which when you first hear it makes one want to avoid them. Then when  you take a closer look at that, there are good estorgens and bad ones. Foods tend to have the good estrogen which can fill receptors that might other wise pick up bad estorgens. This is where much of the debate is I believe.

Recipe for confusion right?

Mandy1313

Merilee: I think you are right about the cause of the confusion with the "estrogenic" foods. 

Momine

Merilee, here is where I get utterly confused. On the site with what to eat/not to eat, ginger is listed as a no-no. However, when you click on it there is no info that it is estrogenic or otherwise bad. http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/ginger

Ginger48

Momine- I am obsessed with inflammation too. I was trying to reduce high levels of it just prior to being diagnosed. It is the root of a lot of problems. I have been working with a naturopathic dr and nutritionist for a couple of years to try and get it under control. For me it started as inflammation of the gut and when I take anti- inflammatories ( like advil and motrin)it gets worse so all these pain meds after 4 surgeries are not helping. I also have LE. I would love to hear anything you learn about inflammation along the way...

Momine

Ginger, you got it. Glad to meet a fellow inflammation nut So far, my main "discovery" is that fresh red chilis really work. Raw garlic is good too. The Greeks make a dip/sauce with raw garlic. Usually it is made with potato, but it can also be made with soaked bread or nuts, so I am thinking of trying walnuts and brown bread.

Claire_in_Seattle

I want to point out that you can nuke regular rolled oats and have oatmeal in 2 minutes.  I got the extra thick organic ones from the bulk foods section, and just delish.

I worry about everyone here getting enough protein.  When you cut out dairy and meat, you really have to work to get enough, as soy also isn't an option.

I don't get granola.  Why would you add a ton of fat and sugar to muesli???  Most of it is way too sweet.

Here is a wonderful Muesli recipe from Delia Smith.  I have made it, but I substituted hazelnuts for peanuts which I am not that fond of.

1/2 lb of each of these: wholewheat flakes, rye flakes, whole oat flakes (coarse oatmeal), barley flakes.

1/2 lb toasted hazelnuts

1 1/2 lb mixed dark and yellow raisins (she calls for "raisins" and "sultanas")

You can substitute other dried fruits such as apples or chopped dried apricots, and add in some bran, if desired.  You can use other nuts.

I have made this, and it is absolutely delicious.  You just need to go to a place that has a lot of bulk grains. It is not that expensive to make, and you end up with a huge amount.

exbrnxgrl

I'm a big steel cut oats fan, totally different than regular oatmeal. It is tedious to cook but if you have a fuzzy logic rice cooker, you can put all the ingredients in at night, use the porridge setting and timer and have it waiting for you in the morning. I put dried fruit in mine and it is delicious . I heard that some company has come up with an instant steel cut oats but it's not organic.

Caryn

dancetrancer

Hey all...I'm wondering if any of you use a protein supplement at all?  I will say I know nothing about them...except for some are made from soy, and I want to avoid that.  Anybody have a brand they like and would recommend as being safe for ER+ gals?  I'm trying to increase my protein especially while getting radiation, and I'm just not into eating meat too much anymore.   I'm getting freaked out the more I learn about hormone supplements, etc., etc. and gosh organic meats are super duper expensive.   (And one can only eat so many beans!!!) 

Kadia

Dancetrancer, I am mostly vegan and try to eat a lot of protein. I use a rice based protein powder made by nutribiotic. It comes in plain or flavored varieties. Vega protein powder is also excellent, but pricey. I eat lots of beans and nuts and seitan for more natural protein, too.

dancetrancer

Thanks kadia - so no ER+ issues with the rice-based protein?  Just double checking b/c it seems like every time I think of a new food that might be good, turns out it conflicts with the ER status or has some other health issue...LOL...it feels like there is nothing left to eat except veggies (which thankfully, I love, LOL!)  

Kadia

dancetrancer, rice is fine for ER+, from all I have seen. See http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/brown-rice for example. Nutribiotic's powder is from whole grain rice and sprouted brown rice, non-GMO sourced. Edited to add: I believe Nutribiotic is made from California rice, which is lower in natural levels of arsenic. They also have organic versions: http://www.nutribiotic.com/rice-protein.html

dancetrancer

Thanks so much Kadia!!!!   gonna look for it at my local health food store.

Kaara

When I was dx with bc in late October 2011, I decided to make diet and lifestyle changes my first line of defense against the disease.  I had surgery in December and have been on an anti cancer, gluten free diet, supplementation, exercise, and IV infusions from my naturopath.  I did no chemo or rads, but I am taking tamoxifen and so far so good.

I  am currently reading a great book written by Dr. Christine Horner called "Waking The Warrior Goddess".  It is filled with information about bc and the antioxidants and vitamins that help prevent recurrence.  She challenges some of the old theories about what can and cannot be eaten or taken in supplement form.  I would highly recommend reading it. 

Lumpynme

dancetrancer: i'm a gastric bypass patient-protein powder was my best friend for a long time- i use Any Whey -it's found at walmart-Body Fortress-- Designer Whey

any protien that is Whey based is more healthy i think as i am leary of soy --read about it's effects on prostate cancer etc for hubby ...

Lumpynme

i just stumbled on this thread tonite- and plan to go back and read further-got thru page 1!

as i mentioned above to dancetrancer, i am post gastric bypass so i need to really amp up my proteins and downplay carbs-i can tolerate only 5 grams of sugar or i "dump". 

i use cheeses, eggs, beans and meats for my proteins as well as protein supplements---made a hUGE mistake last fall while a student and working-ate a lot of protein bars that were soy based- did not realize it-and that's about when my lump was growing-(it had been the same size for quite a while then BOOM!) that and my wine drinking had increased over the summer--coincidence? i dunno!

i love cranberries/hazelnuts/strawberries/almonds/apricots/blah blah...so much!! well- i found out that those things are all related to ragweed and-you guessed it! i am highly allergic--had Ubangi lips once! i also have developed allergies to wonderful whole grains-noticed it first when eating Subway buns..the more grains and nuts the better tasting and the worse for my body...

so what is a  girl to do???

i am going to go look at a few of the wonderful websites you have all posted and i will be back!!!!

dancetrancer

Kaara, I read that book, and it has some great information in it.  I don't agree with the section on soy, though.  Since there is so much controversy about it, I'd rather not take the risk.  

lumpynme,  thanks for the protein powder tip.  Hey I also was eating a soy protein bar every day for breakfast for the past 4 or 5 years.  I gave those up darn quick once diagnosed, but I miss them...they were tasty! 

ptdreamers

I agree with dancetrancer. I read the book and while I agree with some of the diet guidelines I choose not to have soy or flax.

dogsandjogs

I became a vegan a few months ago so don't eat any dairy products. And the only thing I miss is cheese.  I am a jogger and really crave carbs so don't limit those at all.  Use olive oil instead of butter or margarine. Eat lots of rice, beans, potatoes, all kinds of vegetables, bread, pasta, etc. Of course, no meat or fish or poultry (don't miss it) I eat peanut butter and have a protein drink every day. I also juice: apple, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, lemon, cabbage, etc.

Unfortunately since being on Aromasin I have terrible sugar cravings so do eat cereal and a couple of cookies (oatmeal) every day.

I was cancer free for 28 years (and ate a lot of carbs during that time so don't really believe cancer is caused by carbs.

Kadia

Hi, srbreastcancersurvivor--I have been veg for about 25 years, mostly vegan for the last 10. Have you tried seitan as a protein source? It's my favorite, next to beans. I want to start making it from scratch. What kind of protein drink do you make?

Vicks1960

There i also a grain called quinoa that is gluton free and high in protein,.

If you Google it you can find a description.  I just learned about this recently and have had it only a couple of times.  It is tasty.

Vickie

Kadia

Quinoa is great! And so easy to cook! It is great as a hot dish or a cold salad. It is higher in carbs than other protein sources, so if you're trying to cut carbs that's something to look out for.

Vicks1960

KADIA

Thanks for the added information.  I am still learning a lot about alternative foods.  50 yrs ago, we were lacto-ovo vegetarians, but choices of foods have improved a lot over the years...

Vickie

mumito

Personally I avoid all the white foods which includes sugar.I limit my red meat to once or twice a week.All bread is whole grain,no deserts,or sweets.I eat fruit,vegetables,fish and chicken.I do eat dairy but try to buy the lowfat variety.Even make my own dressings and salsas from scratch.No coldcuts or luncheon meat.My only weakness with my diet is red wine and light cream in my morning coffee. Do not intend to torture myself.

Kaara

Technically to have optimal chance of no recurrence, we should be on a plant based diet which means vegan.  No meat or dairy...just veggies fruits grains nuts and seeds.  That is hard for me to accomplish, so I eat a diet of whole foods, limit carbs and sugar, and rarely eat meat.  When I do it must be grass fed.  My poultry must be cage free with no hormones or steroids added.  I feel a lot more energy on this diet, and when I cheat I can tell immediately.