Be in control of foods you eat. Treat food as a form of medicine.
I love sweets, wine and dairy. I love eating and cooking but when I was diagnosed with cancer, I was looking for an explanation what caused it…Food is one of the things I blamed.
A few years ago, my husband and I did a health assessment that my employer required in order to save on the medical insurance premiums. We both felt healthy and active in our 30s, so the biometric results came to us as a suprise. It showed that my husband’s cholesterol levels were high, and my glucose number was above the healthy level. We both wanted to do something about it. We decided to quit dairy and meat and skip sweets for a while. With a little bit of effort, we found new ways to enjoy plant based diet; althouth, eating out was a little more challenging. It becomes boring to keep eating salads after a while but it forced us to try different vegetables, eat more rice, legumes, pasta and fish to feel full. A few times a year, we would still allow ourselves to enjoy turkey, ice cream or bacon but for the most part we didn’t mind being vegetarian. This was another reason why a few years later, I was shocked about my cancer diagnosis. After making healthier choices, I still felt that it was not good enough. I blamed the food, the products I use daily, plastics, even the air I breathe…Finding out that I have cancer is earth shattering but not knowing what caused it, made me take extreme measures.
I began researching about nutrition, the food quality, and what I found enforced my belief that so much what I was eating still contained too much salt, sugar, pesticides, etc. I switched to organic, clean and raw foods eating only veggies, cutting out any sugar, switched my deodarant, shampoo and makeup to organic brands. I lost 10 lbs in a very short time before I even started my chemotherapy. Of course, I realize now that this was not a good decision at the time but for me it was all about losing control to cancer. Unlike cancer, food was something I was able to control and choose.
While in treatment, I took several nutrition classes specifically designed for people living with cancer. Food awareness – what you eat and how much you eat – must be practiced to make it a habit regardless whether you have health issues or trying to prolong your own health.
Sometimes prepping and cooking can seem like a chore, so I recommend incorporating healthy foods into the dishes that you like and that are easy to make. I’m sharing a few of my favorite go-to recipes that are very versatile (can be replaced with different veggies, fruits and legumes to your taste) and simple to make which I make with a little variation multiple times a month.
Eating Tips to Prevent Cancer
Alcohol increases the risk of cancer
I love red wine and used to enjoy having a glass for dinner but now I limit to 1-2 times a month for special occasions.
Processed meat, unhealthy weight, sugar, trans fat are your enemies
This doesn’t come as a surprise. Many different diseases can be prevented if we embrace a healthy diet and lose weight. In addition, frying, boiling or grilling meats at very high temperatures can increase cancer risk too.
Drink water
I don’t like drinking water that much when I’m not thirsty but it was critical during chemo. I had to force myself and to measure my water intake to ensure I was drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day. It is really important to drink as much water as possible after chemo to flush that “poison” out of your body. My kids and husband had a task to make sure that the bottle was always full and near me everywhere I went. Having it in front always staring at me, helped me to drink more water.
CHIA BOWL in 5 minutes
This is one my favorite breakfast dishes.
I even have it as a snack at night when I watch TV which replaces my ice-cream craving.
Almond milk (1 cup)
Chia seeds (4 spoons)
Greek yogurt (1 spoon)
Vanilla extract (2 drops)
Honey (1 spoon) is optional
Add everything into a bowl, mix it and let it stand overnight in the fridge.
It should look “soupy” at first but the chia seeds will expand and turn into a pudding like texture.
CHIA BOWL with fruits and granola (serving tips)
Use different topics with your chia pudding:
Fruits
Granola
Honey, maple syrup or jelly
Shredded coconuts or nuts
Cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin seeds
Crumble 1 oreo cookie
Keep experimenting with your toppings.
RED LENTIL SOUP in 20 min
So easy – just throw everything in a pot:
Vegetable broth
Red lentils (add more for thickness if you like)
Carrots (3-4 large)
Curry powder (be generous)
Coconut milk (1/2 can)
Boil until carrots are tender. Add salt & pepper for your taste.
RED LENTIL SOUP (other variations)
I never make the same soup twice especially when I make soups every week.
The base is the same but sometimes I add zuchinni, onion, garlic or squash.
Depending what I have available at the time, I add bell peppers, fresh herbs or garbanzo beans too.
These variations add more flavor. I never get bored of the same soup.
I typically make a big pot to last me for a few days and even share with my mother-in-law who lives alone.
Serve with a side of your favorite bread.
HUMMUS in 6min
In food processor blend:
Garbanzo beans (1 can)
Garlic (2 slivers)
Tahini (sesame paste – 3 spoons)
Lemon juice (2 spoons)
Cumin powder (1/2 spoon)
Olive oil (1 spoon)
Salt & pepper
Make different flavors with fresh cilantro or basil pesto or smoked peppers.
Serve with veggies, crackers or pretzels.
