Changing diet after diagnosis?

I haven't done anything.  I would like to loose about 20 pounds.  That might be the most important thing to do.  I take tamoxifen, so it seems to be hard to loose weight, but a new year and a new resolution.

Eileen 

I am on a diet since I was/am over weight and feel it was one of the main things that lead to me getting DCIS.  I have lost 20 lbs but started putting weight back on.  Come to find out I was on a diet that adds weight if you don't add lot's and lot's of veggies, it's a NO Gluten diet.  I thought it sounded like a good one but watch out if you don't add enough veggies or if you really need to loose lot's of weight.  I was also not that worried about organic but I have started buying organic.  I certainly think diet is a good thing to look at.

Vickie

I'm reading a couple really good books, "Anti Cancer, A New Way of Life," and "Foods to Fight Cancer.'  They're both very informative about cancer in general and both go into specific types of cancer and specific foods that help fight them, and foods to avoid.  If you don't have time to read them entirely there are various lists throughout the books of helpful changes to make.

Some specific things both books suggest is that boosting your immune system and reducing inflamation in your body are critical to fighting cancer.  Reduce processed foods, avoid red meat and switch to organic fish, poultry and dairy.  Increase whole grains, foods rich in omega 3 and Mediteranian, Asian, and Indian meals.  Like you were saying, increase the amount of raw veges especially.  And most every cancer hates garlic, so include more of that in your diet.

Some specific breast cancer fighting foods they suggest are, garlic, leeks, scallions, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale & broccoli, and there are many more listed.  Other cancer fighting foods they suggest are cabbage, the herbs turmeric, curry and mint, very dark chocolate, red wine, green tea, and some times of mushrooms.  There are many more.

These two books also list a lot of enviormental changes to make as well as lifestyle. 

One last note is that I've heard mixed messages about soy products.  I use to think soy was suppose to be great, and it may be, but recently I've heard that soy is an estrogen stimulator.  So I'm not sure.  Obviously if you're ER+ then that wouldn't be good.  Something to ask our oncologists about.     

I've been a vegetarian for quite some time, but I have decided, since being diagnosed with DCIS, to eliminate dairy products, soy products, and (sob!) white flour and sweeteners, including sugar. Wish me luck, is all I can say!

I am persuaded that, as mentioned above, strengthening our immune systems is key, and even if the DCIS recurs, I know I'll feel better every day mainly eating grains, beans, fruits, veggies (including raw veggies), nuts, herbs, spices and tea. 

I drink green tea every day, but might get some white tea, which I've never tried before, when I shop tomorrow. I read today that it has even more antioxidants than green tea.

Now I'm going for a one-hour walk with my best friend, who lives upstairs from me, as exercise is also good for the immune system ...

Happy new year to all!

Linda

My MO told me basically to try to avoid soy or soy proteins and reduce sugar intake if possible. Said everything in moderation (alcohol included) and that the most important thing is to not gain weight (not overweight/wants me to maintain) ... Seems everything processed has some form of soy in it (oil, protein, lechthin etc) so I am just trying to go to a more back to basics diet.

My doctor hasn't said a word about this. It's my mother I get non-stop nutritional advice from. :-) (And then I go looking online for more info.)

Linda

As part of the Lower Your Risk section on the main Breastcancer.org site, there is an article about one of the BC risk factors, called Eating Unhealthy Food. It talks about steps you can take to have a more healthy diet.

The main site also has a selection of Organic Living Recipes that you may want to try.

Judith and the Mods

ej01, I asked both my surgeon and my onc and they both said that there is no medical basis for changing diet and that I should eat whatever I want. Technically they may be correct, i.e. there is no definitive study saying that if you eat this you won't get cancer, but it seems to me that there is a lot of stuff that strongly suggests that certain diet changes might be a good idea. My docs consider me thin, so it is possible that their advice might have been different if they considered me heavy.

My diet was always pretty clean. I rarely eat red meat but I'm a moderate kind of person so if I crave it occasionally, i'l eat it. I have switched almost exclusively to organic produce and am lucky to have access to several weekly farmer's markets. Their prices are very reasonable. I use almond milk instead regular milk but I do eat plain yogurt and a bit of cheese. Sugar was tough but I am doing well on living without it and no artificial sweeteners either. I have a juicer and use it almost daily and love it. Whoever thought kale, bok choy, carrot and ginger would make such a great juice.? Do I think this will help with bc? Well, it can't hurt and I like it.

Caryn

Momine - that sounds fabulous.... Wouldn't want to share the recipe, would you?  

Thanks for sharing it Momine... I will have to try that this weekend as it sounds fabulous....