ER/PR+ gals, what are you eating/not eating?

Hi Maria- Guess I'll start since no one has chimed in yet. Of course you know that you will get several perspectives on this. There are those that have completely changed their diets, eliminated meat and/or diary, gone vegan, vegetarian etc. You're bound to find valuable info. on the "Natural Girls" thread.  Some won't do much of anything different reasoning that there are thousands of things both controllable and uncontrollable that could have caused their bc.

I've made changes, mostly with the thought of avoiding those things that fuel estrogen since I was 90% + ER and PR. I'm sure that there are those that think I don't do enough but as long as I am comfortable, that's all that matters. Giving up dairy is NOT an option for me. Milk and butter are too important to me as is the 1/2 and 1/2 in my coffee and just about any cheese. So, I compromise by buying these items organic now. That alone really adds up $$$ which I don't have! Also meat, I do eat less and purchase organic WHEN I CAN. Some weeks, that's not possible so the best I can do is moderate. Same with veggies and fruit which I can never seem to eat enough of. I have also been using organic as much as possible when it comes to make up, lotions, shampoo, hair color etc. Seems many of these products have chemicals that encourage or even produce estrogen.

Lastly but not necessarily estrogen related is that I will no longer microwave ANYTHING in plastic. I firmly believe the reports of the plastic chemicals leaching into the food. If it comes frozen in plastic, I transfer it to glass. I thought I'd be better in my conviction not to stand right in front of the micro when cooking. My impatience weekness has me right there watching! So many things you do without thinking! I am improving at recognizing that and moving when I do!

Oops, one more thing I've changed is getting the natural cleaning products. I believe there is something to be said for the long term effect of all those chemicals breathed in or seaped in through the skin.

Otherwise after 2 years, I believe I have moved on as much as one can after going through this without over obsessing that it will come back. I do what I think may be of benefit to keep it away while not denying myself the things I love. And I pray....a alot!

My best to you,

Ellen

Maria.... I know this is all new, but my counsel would be to relax.  The truth is that most of us really don't know what the factor that caused us to get breast cancer.

I suspect you are doing most things right.  And I know you are scared.

With the exception of soy and flax, the diet we should be eating post treatment is the one we should be eating anyway so no major changes.  If you were living on Cheez Doodles and orange soda, I would be saying something else.  But I don't think you are.

I thought long and hard on this topic about a year ago.  My conclusion was that the worst would not to have my cancer return, but to give up everything I enjoy in life, and then to have it return.  So I contunue to eat as before.  I drink wine too.....just couldn't give it up, although I did for chemo.

One funny thing.  A number of years ago, I tried to up my fruit and veggie servings to nine a day.  My body just couldn't handle the excess fiber.  So concluded I was fine as things are.

Just had some brie and an apple for an early lunch prior to heading out for a walk.

Feel better.....and enjoy life.  - Claire

Hi!  I echo what many have already said.  Pre-BC I ate healthy most days, exercised and enjoyed wine in moderation.  I do little differently, now, except buy organic more often and have switched some of my beauty products to less hazardous ones.  I have enjoyed wine for years and still do a couple times a week.  If I give up everything that brings me pleasure, I would not be a happy camper, so I say try not to get too hung up on being perfect.  JMO

Sherrill

ps: As I write this, I am enjoying a lovely glass of French red

I really like that website - foodforbreastcancer!  I have been using it a LOT these past few months!  I have made some changes. No more red meat for my family except for the kind with no hormones/antibitoics, etc added - and even then only like once a week (especially since it's so expensive!) .  I have cut my own meat consumption WAY back- even chicken.

I eat lots of eggs (since we have our own laying hens) and I agree with whomever said that about milk -I tried - I cannot give it up.  We get our milk from a raw milk dairy and it's so good!    I tried, but I can't go without it.  I used to make all my own yogurt, etc.  I have cut down on milk, but I still need it in my coffee.  The studies that were done on milk werent' done on raw milk, so I don't know if I'm being "safe" or not - of course, in hot coffee, then its pasteurized by the heat anyhow.......

Speaking of which, I switched completely to organic coffee about a year ago when the regular kind was giving me headaches, but I also got a stainless steel percolator for making it in - no more paper filters and plastic coffee makers.  I don't eat much sugar but then I haven't for about five years now anyway, and no artificial sweeteners (never did those anyway either.)  

I have stepped up on the sprouts - I've been growing broccoli sprouts, and I eat a lot of broccoli rabe.  I really love it cooked with olive oil and salt and pepper!  I could eat it every day.  I also make kale shakes (they're a little harder to get down) but throw a few frozen cranberries and they're not so bad!  Cooked kale is good also.  It's surprsingly sweet. 

I see a nutritionist and he has me on a shiitake/ganoderma mushroom supplement - both are highly recommended by foodforbreastcancer.  And I buy white button mushrooms whenever I can.

I agree about the chemicals - I'm trying to avoid them also.....it's not always easy.   There's also a lot in makeup, shampoo, soaps, lotions, etc.  I just use plain raw coconut oil for a moisturizer and have been using Dr Woods castile soap for washing my hair (peach fuzz right now) and body. 

I think you could REALLY drive yourself crazy with all of this and I most certainly do at times.    And a lot of it comes down to the money - organic can be SO expensive!!  With four kids and we're already on a super tight budget it's never easy.   You can do everything right and still get bit again.    You have to enjoy your life also and not live in the shadow of guilt and fear for everything that goes into your mouth.      Cause anxiety isn't good for us either!

I really liked the Anticancer book and after reading it purchased the Foods that Fight Cancer book that it recommended...its great and more specific with dietary recommendations. A database i'm using to find organic/safe cosmetics and all skin products is: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/.  Calamatykel mentioned organic coffee which if you drink coffee or tea is a great idea.  Apparently those crops are heavily sprayed with pesticides.  I also wash my fruit and veggies with a mixture of half vinigar/half water to remove wax and pesticides.  The mixture is also a great, innexpensive, natural way to clean counters.  I see an integrative oncologist (in additional to my regular oncologist) who said that a combination of 30 minutes of exercise everyday (the way he put it is MAKE time for it, like it is a 4th meal) with 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies incorporated in your diet is the best thing we can do to help ourselves.  I try and do everything in my power to stay healthy.  I think that is the only way that if a recurrence every occurs for my I wont blame myself and say "I wish I would have done this or that"  Also, I think a few glasses of red wine a week is fine.  Unfortunately for some reason wine and arimidex dont mix for me.  I just end up feely dizzy

I think the food issues depend on your ER, PR, and HER2 status. From the sites I have been reading (MD Link, Doctors Guide to the Internet, and BC's Ask the Experts) soy raises estrogen, the issue with dairy is what do they feed the cows, cooked is better than raw for veggies and fruit due to bacteria issues, antioxidents compete with Herceptin for binding to the site necessary to block the HER2 so 2 docs told my daughter to avoid them especially A,C, and E and green tea.

On the other hand, the BC Experts recommend whole grains, legumes, broccoli, cauliflower and whoe grain oats whcih are thought to block estrogen.

My sister raises all natural cows and from what she says, regular meat producers feed cows chicken litter - yes, chicken litter called fauter(not sure of spelling). Makes me think about becoming a vegan.

I eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.  (fromMichael Pollan)

No milk / dairy, low protein, no soy, lots of cruciferous veggies, whole grains, little sugar.  I'll probably make myself insane with this and who knows if it will really make any difference, but at least I feel like I'm doing something.  (and I've lost 25 lbs in less than 3 months, that's my BC silver lining)

I try to eat healthy, exercise daily and I have a glass of wine with dinner..I am trying the parben free route...

Everything in moderation? 
I don't know anymore..this could drive you nuts!

Jan

I know what you mean about the wine, I used to have two glasses every night before I was diagnosed. Now, I basically lay off, but have my occasional glasses every other week or so. I eat lots of organic salads, I have a vegetable juicer, eat chicken , fish, and no red meats.I also lay off of sugar. Due to Arimidex or just getting older I have a lot more aches and pains. I have always been an exerciser and still exercise religiously. I guess everything in moderation is the name of the game. Not always fun. This disease definitely changes your life! After four years, I'm still trying to figure things out. Good luck to you.