5 Foods That Fight Cancer
written by guest blogger Michele Santo….
Nothing matters more to your health than your diet. HelpGuide.org says that 70% of your cancer risk is due to what you eat. Focus on whole foods like healthy fats, beans, grass-fed, pasture-raised meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouts, which will lower your toxic load.
Are you eating enough of these cancer-fighting foods?
- Drink Golden Milk
You may have tasted turmeric, the star spice in Indian curry dishes. The dried root of the curcuma longa plant is ground into a mustard yellow powder. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which is known to stop an enzyme from turning toxins into carcinogens, which cause cancer. Thousands of research studies report that the healing benefits of turmeric are more beneficial than pharmaceuticals. Turmeric is the most talked about medicinal herb.
Golden Milk is an easy way to add turmeric into your diet. Warm 2 cups of milk (coconut, almond, cashew, or rice, etc.), 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp cinnamon, pinch of black pepper (increases absorption), ¼ tsp ginger powder or small piece of ginger, and 1 tsp raw honey or maple syrup. Drink it before bed to boost the immune system and enjoy restful sleep.
- Snack on Seeds
The most nutrient-rich seeds in the world are chia seeds and flaxseeds. They’re an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. Both are a rich source of lignans, which have anti-estrogenic effects that inhibit cell growth in tumors.
Seeds are easy to toss in oatmeal, trail mix, smoothies, and salads. If you like tapioca pudding, you’ll love chia pudding. When soaked, chia seeds plump up to 4 times their size. It’s a delicious, sweet treat. Give it a try!
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk (almond, coconut, cashew, rice, etc.)
- ½ cup chia seeds
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup or less of maple syrup
- ¼ tsp ground flaxseeds
- Handful of berries
Method
- Put milk of choice, chia seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, maple syrup, flaxseeds, and berries into a mason jar.
- Mix with a fork to make sure the chia seeds aren’t clumping.
- Put the lid on and shake.
- Place in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight so it can turn into a gelatinous consistency.
- Eat Berries for Breakfast
Berries are loaded with antioxidants found in plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, coffee, tea, wine, and chocolate. Antioxidants stop cell damage from free radicals from the environment. You may’ve heard of beta-carotene in carrots, resveratrol in red wine, lycopene in tomatoes, and flavanols in chocolate.
Add berries to your cereal, oatmeal, or smoothies for breakfast. Toasted bread with nut butter and sliced strawberries is delicious. They’re also great as is!
- Choose Wild Caught Fish
Wild caught fish like sardines, mackerel, and salmon pack anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent disease. Aim to eat fish three times a week. Most grocery stores, even Costco, carry wild caught varieties. If you’re sick of the same old recipe, Yummly has options.
- Cut Down on Carcinogens
The way you cook your food can create unnecessary carcinogens, which cause cancer. Bacon, sausage, beef jerky, smoked foods, and foods that have become moldy contain carcinogens.
To reduce carcinogens, don’t cook with oils using high heat. Store oils in a cool, dark pantry. Low heat cooking (less than 250 degrees) prevents the oil from turning toxic.
Charring meat on the barbeque creates carcinogenic substances, so go easy on that cooking method. When in doubt, avoid the microwave’s harmful rays. If you must use it, wax paper instead of plastic wrap is a better choice.
While there’s no magic pill to prevent cancer, what you eat has a powerful effect on your health. Food affects everything. It clouds or clears your mind. It causes acne or glowing skin. It also has the power to prevent or perpetuate cancer. Eat mindfully and live a long, happy life.
About the writer:
Michele Santo wants to live in a world where wellness is all the rage.
She co-authored the book, Empowering Transformations for Women. In 2008, she became a Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and was the Healthy Eating Specialist for Whole Foods Market. In 2016, she became a Youth Mentor through Shine From Within and founded Unstoppable Girls Squad. She walks her talk when it comes to health.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading about online marketing or dancing in the kitchen.
http://www.unstoppablegirlssquad.com
