What foods are you eating to reduce recurrence?

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I am very excited about the concept of food as medicine.  I try to use as much as organic as possilbe.

My list:

tumeric pills

jucing veggies and some fruits

green tea

No sugar.  Totally emliminated junk foods and candies, etc

sour sop juice (drank it for a while) but didnt like it.  Might order some more.  its $1 a juice box

flax seeds

pumpkin seeds

beet juice

Please add onto this list.

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Comments

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited September 2013

    All the "wrong" ones. I'm doing Atkins, and despite the high-fat & all the cheese, I have lost 30 pounds & am having hot flashes. This leads me to believe that my estrogen levels are dropping.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    modified citrus pectin, astragalus, curcumin, and eating "clean" (organic/no pesticides/no soy) and vegan.  more green tea than i drank prior to my dx. lots of greens like kale, etc.   trying to avoid all alcohol except for special occasions. 

  • sophie786
    sophie786 Member Posts: 83
    edited September 2013

    anybody try wheatgrass juice?  i read alot about it but dont know what to make it?  thinking of ordering wheatgrass juice and drinking a few ounces every day.

  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited September 2013

    Abandoned my beloved high fat, high protein (beef, cheese, more beef, more cheese) diet.  Eating small amounts of fish and chicken, lots of fruit (too much sugar, do you think?), more veggies (mostly raw). Using avocado rather than butter.  Less mayonnaise. Lots of crackers and English muffins and roll up sandwiches with not much in them.  Substituted a couple of slices of packaged, sliced cheese, or string cheese, for big, yummy hunks of lovely cheese that I just keep chomping away at.  Never used much sugar, but trying to eliminate it pretty much totally, but a bit worried about fructose.  Less food in general--my onc says this ER positive thing says you can't be too thin.  Trying to work in yogurt for calcium.  Have lost 25 pounds in about six months.  For this, I mostly thank arimidex, which seems to have reduced my appetite and made beef taste funny.

    My first goal is tummy fat.  Having been pretty successful, I'm looking to move on to identifying specific cancer fighters.  I'm happy to hear what everyone out there is doing, and, especially, the why's and why not's.

  • aviva5675
    aviva5675 Member Posts: 1,353
    edited September 2013

    no one ever got fat eating fruits and veggies , even with the sugar in them :)

    Just started arimidex (anastrazole) yesterday, hopefully my SE will be minimal, tho if I maintain where Im at or lose a few, thats good!  I lost 35 on Medifast and started running a year ago before all this started, so bummed that had gotten healthy and then was dx.

    Been eating a little worse since dx in July, darn those cookies people keep sending!, and am trying to get back to logging my food, and eating more veggies again...figure what Ive been doing (off Medifast, eating healthy now), has been working for me.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Thank you for saying that you can't be too thin with ER+. I agree.  I am sick of having to explain to others why even though I'm 5.8.5" and 132 lbs, I need to get below 130 to remain below 20% body fat because I'm highly ER+ and don't want any place on me for estrogen to hang around in.  Non-cancered folks take a look at me when I tell them I'm vegan and have to be careful and need to drop a few lbs and tell me (I'm too thin) and that I need some "extra" for fall-back (I haven't heard anyone talk like that since the depression years!). 

    They just don't get it.  I'm tired of justifying.

    C

  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited September 2013

    Claire, were you vegan before, or is it part of your keepaway strategy?

    I think some folks get confused because of all the media attention on young women who starve themselves because of body image issues.  Until I was diagnosed, actually, until I met my onc, I had no idea that too much body fat led to too much circulating insulin, which wasn't a good thing for someone who just happens to be ER+. I am nowhere near the point where people will start making those remarks, and don't expect to get there, but they are beginning to tell me how wonderful I look. 

  • Theresanne
    Theresanne Member Posts: 90
    edited September 2013

    Everyone here has adopted some lifestyle changes pretty similar to mine. I was vegetarian before diagnosis...now vegan. Mostly organic produce, limited fruit...however I eat a ton of berries everyday...incredibly powerful foods! Also along with tons of veggies, I make sure I eat lots of Brussels sprouts everday. Beans..beans..beans!!! No white anything. No added sugar. Drink only green tea, water or water with lemon...great for the liver and digestion. I tak curcumin, maitake extract and sulphur orphans..a broccoli extract. Of course..a B complex vitamin because im vegan. But I eat lots of broccoli. Lots of greens..dark greens..not iceberg lettuce. Steel cut oats many mornings with walnuts. Only small amounts of olive oil for salads, along with apple cider vinegar. No bottled dressings. Ezekial sprouted breads and cereal with unsweetened almond milk. Once in a great while I will splurge and have the silk almond milk vegan soft serve. It's a great treat. And of course...on femara. Good luck lovely ladies!!!

  • Theresanne
    Theresanne Member Posts: 90
    edited September 2013

    Oh yes..ABSOLUTELY no alchohol.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    I haven't given up all alcohol.  I figure that with my killer athletic schedule I'm burning off the effects.  But I don't binge drink, or drink everyday or even every week, or anything like that.

    I've been vegan at times in my life, vegetarian, paleo, and regular old American diet.  I don't like meat and don't crave dairy or even bread-never have, so going back to vegan (without any SOy of course!) was a fairly easy choice.

    Brookside VT I bet you look wonderful too!!!!!!

  • GrammyB7
    GrammyB7 Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2013

    I make a smoothie with approx. 1 tsp. of powered wheat grass. I mask the taste with pure fruit juice. I swear it raised my neutrophil counts during chemo. It was recommended by an "inspire health" newsletter based on research. I keep using it after treatment just to stay healthy.

    Best wishes to all of you, in treatment or out.

  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited September 2013

    aviva5675 - congratulations on your weight loss from Medifast!!! I know how much discipline that took!!!

    In March 2012 (3 months post-BMX), I went on Optifast, lost 60 pounds, and regained my health. Then I went on Anastrozole, didn't change my diet at all (still on 3 Optifast products a day) and regained 20 pounds.

    I am now halfway through my 8 week drug holiday from Anastrozole, and even though I am SO careful as to what I eat, the pounds just hang on. I am just now barely able to move again, and I do believe that exercise is the key to maintaining weight loss.

    Claire - I had people say the same thing to me when I met my weight loss goal: that I needed to gain a little bit back to have some "reserve" in case I got sick. It got to be too difficult to explain that this "reserve" would just be a breeding ground for excess estrogen, and that I am 100% ER+. Now that I'm not on the AI, it's even more important to get that "reserve" off of me!!!! Surprised

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited September 2013

    I'm 5'2" and 132# really struggling to loose weight--- it is stuck around my middle.  Love all the suggesitons here --- I already do most of them but need to do more.....

  • aviva5675
    aviva5675 Member Posts: 1,353
    edited September 2013

    I know its beyond my control, but I will be annoyed if I gain back much of what Ive lost. I started anastrazole 3 days ago. Im trying to think positive and end up in the no/low se column. Hoping weight gain isnt going to be one.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited September 2013

    @. Never mind that I eat a lot and that my current weight was my standard weight in my 20s. But, like you, I aim to stay just below a BMI of 20.

  • celina2011
    celina2011 Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2013

    Hi to all,

        Try to watch the video " Healing Cancer inside and OUT" also buy Dr. Furhman books and video. I started following his diet and I lost weight woithout so much struggles. Also I increased my energy level and I dont get tired easily. I got diagnosed in April 2011 and got surgery in July started chemo in Aug and finish my herceptin in january of this year. Not much side effects and No sign of the disease. Just follow the GBOMBS diet which is greens, berries, onions, mushrooms, beans and seeds especially flax seeds. I am now 80% vegan. Try to type Dr. Furhman and you will be happy you did. I am more confident and not scared anymore because its true. Its what we put in our mouth that helps us defend ourselves in any kinds of disease.

  • Fallleaves
    Fallleaves Member Posts: 806
    edited September 2013

    I am going heavy on the the ground flaxseed! Trying to get 4 TB a day, but don't think I'm making it. Also brew 1 qt of green tea in the morning and drink it all day. I take tumeric several times a day and bought some of the root, but not sure what to do with it (other than Indian food, which I make sometimes). Also eating lots of button mushrooms and am taking Maitake mushroom supplements. I'm eating mostly vegan, too, with some occasional fish. I ate a vegetarian diet for 35 years and switched to more vegan (no eggs and dairy) in January (before I knew I had BC). I wish I could say I don't eat any sugar, but I do have a sweet tooth. Although I try to keep it to dark chocolate and fruit desserts. I do eat some tofu, soymilk and edamame, but I stopped eating protein bars with soy protein isolate. I've been meaning to try intermittent fasting to keep my insulin and IGF-1 levels low, but there never seems to be a good time! (I think I'm just too attached to eating, although I did manage a few short fasts last year). 

  • SophiaMarie
    SophiaMarie Member Posts: 352
    edited September 2013

    I'm so excited to find this thread! I was beginning to think I was being too extreme, when so many survivors I know eat "normal". I start the day with a kale smoothie with chia, powdered greens, hemp protein, and I just bought some Garden of Life protein that sounds awesome. I also add a carrot, either coconut water or almond milk and a few nuts. Sometimes some berries. Otherwise right now I have no fruit, no sugar (I've even avoided natural non sugar sweeteners because I'm afraid of reviving my sweet tooth!), I eat lots of vegetables with emphasis on cruciferous, beans, occasionally a piece of Ezekial bread, and sometimes rice. I will do fish and venison, no ham or processed meats. No potatoes except sweet potatoes. And melatonin, turmeric, mushrooms, vit D3, cod liver oil and I forget what else.



    Also started exercising 35 mins a day 5x week. I've lost 28 lbs since July and look so much better, although I still would love to lose 20 more. Right now my bmi is 25.something - I'm actually happy to be so close to being in the normal weight range! What is the suggested bmi for a good survival rate? Is it really 20?

  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited September 2013

    SophiaMaria, your diet sounds so healthy!  Were you doing some/all of this before dx? 

    I just read somewhere that the BMI target is 20-25.  I'm so proud of having just gotten below 30 (lost 25 pounds), and not that pleased with the prospect of losing more or less the same amount again.  Anyway, I see my onc in a couple of weeks and the BMI question is very near the top of my list.  I'm also trying to walk 30 minutes five-ish times/week, and gentle strength training twice weekly, for bone strength, general good health, and to scare away cancer.

  • SophiaMarie
    SophiaMarie Member Posts: 352
    edited September 2013

    That's awesome Brookside! Doesn't it feel good to lose the weight?! I'm a bit paranoid of starting the tamoxifan though - I'm afraid it will go back on!



    My friends always say I've eaten really healthy, but I don't think it's been as healthy as they think. I've been making cakes for friends anniversaries and weddings - it's hard not to taste. After my dx I thought of getting rid of all of my equipment, but now I'm ok with it - I have so much more willpower than ever before. Funny the things you do when you have a monster at your heels! I do plan on trying some gluten free recipes that using almond or coconut flour - just have to figure out how to sub stevia or xylitol for agave nectar. But to answer your question, I have had my green smoothies for a couple of years, haven't eaten fast food in about a year, and typically eat what others call "healthy" - but now I'm MUCH more strict! I'm actually afraid of sugar and refined carbs. I'm guessing I will relax in time, but meanwhile I'm enjoying what it's doing to my body! (Although I do have to admit that anxiety has played a big role in appetite reduction!)

  • AlaskaAngel
    AlaskaAngel Member Posts: 1,836
    edited September 2013

    Hi,

    In great shape until age 50. Hit with increased blubber and the huge increase in difficulty losing weight, even with reduced intake, healthy diet, and daily exercise (after chemopause/menopause following CAFx6 and 1 3/4 yrs of tamoxifen). Found that the common recommendations worked for premeno bc patients but didn't work for most postmeno bc patients, and that health care providers were not tuned in and just kept pushing the same recommendations for both groups. It took 6 years to lose the 25 pounds gained with treatment and menopause. I got down to my usual weight by strict dieting and exercise, but it all came back again eventually, even on a "healthy" veggie/fruit diet. Was told that to maintain weight loss, I would need to exercise 2 hours per day.

    I think that day I was more depressed than I was at diagnosis.

    To keep cancer at bay, balancing intake of omega-3's and omega-6's is a daily goal. I use olive oil, the best available, and avocados, for fat content. I too use freshly-ground flax seed (and my tumor was 50% PR+, 95% ER+). I only eat 1 meal a day, dinner, and it is at least 80% veggies/fruits. Tough going; hungry, but determined.

    Never had trastuzumab, or any taxane, and only had 1 3/4 yrs tamoxifen. Just had my annual MRI, which was clear.

    A.A.

  • LJDH
    LJDH Member Posts: 37
    edited September 2013

    Everyone here has great advice and information!

    I made the following changes since May 2013

    Eat organic mostly (vegetables, fruits, meats,bread and dairy)

    Use almond milk instead of milk but occasionally will eat organic cheese and cows milk.

    Avoid sugar but occasionally will have some, use pure stevia mostly (made with no alcohol)

    No alcohol

    lots of brocolli

    cooked white button mushrooms (1/4 cup daily, but not raw!)

    Supplements:

    Turmeric

    Brocolli extract capsules

    Vitamin D

    Maitake Mushroom Capsules

    Multi vitamin

    Also no sunscreen/makeup/soap with parabens or phtalates

    Thats it, and thats enough!LOL

    Have gotten rid of alot of cleaning products also and use mostly

    citrus infused vinegar to do all kinds of disenfecting and cleaning

    Baking soda too instead of cleanser.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited September 2013

    greg marley says if you dry shiitake in the sun it will generate mega vitamin d2.  I've been drying maitake with a full spectrum light bulb in hopes that the same will happen

  • aviva5675
    aviva5675 Member Posts: 1,353
    edited October 2013

    My eyes read Bob Marley and mushrooms. I was ready to jump all over that!

  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited October 2013

    My RO recommends cruciferous veggies at least 3 time a week.

    I like the Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz. No booze. I eat organic as much a possible. I was already vegetarian (and avoid a lot of dairy) but added in fish a couple times a week for the protein. Avoid BPA (no canned foods; switched my Mr Coffee for something without plastic, etc)

    Added extra exercise to keep the weight in check.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited October 2013

    for cruciferous:  brussel sprouts, still delicious

  • SewStrong
    SewStrong Member Posts: 399
    edited October 2013

    You can buy carrot juice in the organic section. I drink about 1/2 cup several times a week. It tastes just like carrots, so it's not bad if you like carrots!! I imagine it would be horrid for someone who hates carrots, but maybe it would get past the mouth quicker if you want to just take it like medicine. It is great for beta-carotene. The best.

  • LtotheK
    LtotheK Member Posts: 2,095
    edited October 2013

    Great thread!  I have always been veg, but I have lived a very high-stress lifestyle that had my cholesterol through the roof despite my diet.  So I'm doing a lot more deep breathing, waking up with the concept of peace instead of coffee and email buzzes, and paying more attention to my diet.  I have two weak spots:  I love sweets, and I love alcohol.  The latter is a bigger challenge, as I'm a director and have to wine and dine folks a lot.

    I keep my vitamins to a dull roar, as my oncologist recommended I not compete with the Tamoxifen.  She has serious concern for how vitamins and supplements react with Tamoxifen, and says there will never been enough study.  So I've gone sorta lean and mean:  calcium for my sad bones, magnesium, D, Tamox and biotin for my sad hair post-chemo.

    Regarding food, it's primarily fresh vegetables from a CSA, nuts, seeds, Ezekiel bread, beans and fruits.  I don't eat out a lot.  I really think the eating out is a problem with all the added oil, salt, sugar and inorganic foods.

    I try to keep my weight to 130 @5 ft 7.  Bottom line, the chemopause and Tamox have made this more of a challeng.e  I can't do better than I am now, I exercise and eat reasonably well. The stress of thinking too much about it isn't good for me, either.  But I would like to be about 127 for the reasons stated here.  I lift weights, and have put on some nice bulk.  This is mostly for my bones.

  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited October 2013

    I'm doing something you're all probably going to think is pretty weird.  For years and years, I've avoided any "fake" ingredients, cooked nearly everything from scratch, and avoided letting plastic get near my food, all this to prevent some future cancer somewhere in my body.  Now that I've had breast cancer, my focus has changed from future unidentified rogue cells to the specific cells that might be loose somewhere in my body.  I know these cells gobble up sugar.  I've never eaten much sugar, but am currently substituting fake stuff for the real thing.  No honey, either.  Looking for jam with fake sweetener.  Sort of the "devil you know rather than the devil you don't" strategy.

    I'm also eating way less protein (I used to really overdo this, but am now at a more normal level), as we keep hearing this is the building block for cell growth.

    Anybody else thinking along the same lines? 

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013

    Brookside, I have cut most sugar and white carbs out of my diet. I do not substitute with fakes, I just skip it. If I am somewhere and they have some sweet that I really love, I will have a small serving, but I no longer drink juice or iced tea, I do not make sweets at home, I do not eat honey on my yogurt and I do not add any sugar or syrup to pancakes.

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