The statistics indicate that one in three of us will receive the diagnosis of cancer in our lifetime and one in seven of us will die from cancer. And let me tell you from personal experience there is nothing scarier than receiving that diagnosis from your physician. However, there are multitudes of ways we can work to prevent cancer from affecting us.
Let’s start with diet. There is a ton of research that proves that vegetables and fruits are extremely effective at keeping our immune system strong. In the China Study, the evidence that a plant based diet can prevent cancer is overwhelming. We see study after study that indicates this vitamin or mineral is effective at treating cancer. However, I believe that food works like a symphony, separating out one component is not nearly as effective as eating the food that contains that component.
Armed with the knowledge that eating vegetables and fruits is preventative, it is time to increase the amount of vegetables and fruit in our diet. This is really very simple. Start with a breakfast makeover. Instead of the usual breakfast fare, how about a veggie omelet, a fruit smoothie, or a bowl of oatmeal with fruit added? Or you can even be more adventurous and add greens to your fruit smoothie such as spinach, kale or swiss chard. You will discover that the greens do not change the taste of the smoothie. With this breakfast idea are getting both fruits and vegetables for breakfast.
Increasing the vegetables and fruits you eat for lunch can be fairly simple. Enjoy a salad for lunch. Most restaurants have great salads on their menu. At home, you can combine just about any vegetables and make a great salad. If you are eating fast food, try a veggie sub or a veggie pizza. Add some raw vegetables to your plate when you are having a sandwich. Enjoy vegetable soup. See how easy this can be!
Snacks can also impact the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat each day. Ideas for snacking include a piece of fruit, celery with peanut butter on it, carrot sticks, chips with salsa or guacamole, a bunch of grapes, frozen grapes, veggies and veggie dip, dried fruit like raisins, apricots, and prunes. Be creative; search the internet for more fun snacking ideas that include fruits and vegetables.
A simple change with dinner can make a lot of difference in the amount of vegetables you get each day. Always start dinner with a small salad. Add a second vegetable to the meal or add vegetables to the sauce you are making. For example, if you are making spaghetti sauce, sauté tomatoes, onions, green peppers and add these to your sauce. Have fruit for dessert. Grill peaches or pineapple for a very enjoyable end of your meal.
Vitamin C is another important tool in cancer prevention. You can always take a supplement but it would be better to eat fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of vitamin C such as kale, grapefruit, oranges, red pepper and kiwi.
Drinking enough water each day is also important. Your body is approximately 75% -80% water and none of your organs, muscles, or systems can function well when you are dehydrated. A good rule for the amount of water you should drink daily is your weight divided by 2 in ounces. An example is a 120 pound person should drink 60 ounces of water per day.
Experts in the study of nutrition and disease suggest that you already have cancer then you need to be more aggressive with your diet. Dr. Coldwell, a leading expert on cancer and stress related illnesses, suggests that you consume a vegan raw food diet and drink a gallon of water per day with ½ teaspoon of sea salt added to the water. The goal is to move your body from an acidic state to an alkaline state as quickly as possible
When all is said and done, prevention of cancer is not difficult. Just remember what your mom told you. Eat your fruits and vegetables!
Jean Sumner has pursued an interest in wellness her entire life. An avid runner, she is passionate about exercise, eating healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Jean was diagnosed with cancer in May, 2009 this only served to fuel the flames of her passions and encouraged her to learn more about wellness. This diagnosis actually led to the beginning of World Wellness Education with a mission of “Teaching the world about wellness — one story at a time.”
As Jean pursued alternative methods of treating cancer she met countless individuals who had great stories to tell regarding how nutrition, spirituality and exercise helped them to overcome their various illnesses. Since these stories were moving, motivating and timely she thought that each of these stories may make a difference in others lives. With the knowledge that we learn from stories more quickly than other teaching methods an organization was born in hopes to make a difference in the well being of every individual on the planet.
This information is not meant to be medical advice. No action or inaction should be taken solely on the contents of this information. Instead, you should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being.