Have you changed your diet post breast cancer?

Thanks

Thank you for asking the question. I just finished radiation treatment. I have an appointment to see my medical oncologist in 4 weeks and will start taking Tamoxifen. I have also read and heard conflicting information about what to eat and not eat. Would definitely appreciate credible information about a food plan and Tamoxifen. Onward…

I too find it all very confusing. And after watching several "diet" documentaries, I came to this conclusion. Processed foods are not good for anyone. Cancer can feed on sugar. So I'm trying to eat "real" food, limit sugar as much as I can, limit red meat as much as possible. I eliminated dairy as much as possible & also eat Gluten free - as I'm allergic to both milk & wheat already. So I cook more & several days a week I go meat free altogether. If I get an urge for say a hamburger - I buy fresh patties & cook it myself. I also use intermittent fasting as I'm trying to lose weight. No more chips, cookies, cakes, and ultra-processed foods. For snacks I use pitted dates, freeze dried fruit, real fruit, pecans, nuts, and dried fruit. I've lost about 15 pounds since February. I did buy some frozen vegan dinners - that are GF and actually quite delicious. I also was wary of soy, but my oncologist told me it was okay to eat. I hit my 5 year last November & stopped the AI I was on. I think the real message I got was eat REAL food. Good luck.

I thought I was eating healthfully for the last 15+ years. Turns out that I was very good at avoiding foods that I should not eat, but I wasn’t very good at consuming things that I should have been. So, after a comment from my acupuncturist who told me by body was asking for better nutrition, I searched for a professional (nutritionist or dietitian) to help guide me into better habits. I happened upon a board certified oncology dietician who promoted plant-based whole foods. She had the research to support health claims. I also spoke with my oncologist and other doctors about this way of eating, and they overwhelmingly support my decision. As with any healthy lifestyle, eating 90%-100% plant-based whole foods takes intentionality.

Thank you Kathy!

When one of the doctors stated to stop eating carb to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes I went to nutritionist because it reached the point where I was left with basically nothing to eat. No sugar, no red meats, no fat, no salt…. No carbs. She laughs at me and said we do not want you too skinny just in case when the cancer comes back. So here is what she recommended nothing from a box, a can or a bag. Increase fresh fruits and vegetables and portion controlled, and learned to do everything from scratch at home and look how much a portion actually is. I avoid animal fats as much as possible. I stopped taking Anastrosole and my blood numbers are all back to even better than before the cancer. Still working on the cholesterol but that is coming down too.

@kathyomaha55 Congratulations on 5 years. My 5 years is this month. 🥳. Your info on eating food diet after BC is so helpful and I think right on! Thank you for sharing.

Why chamomile tea? The tea itself and not a supplement?

I was already eating pretty good...home cooked meals, whole foods from scratch. The big thing I adjusted for is cutting out wine...(sigh).

Wow, there is so much conflicting info. I've read Flaxseed has a lot of estrogen so I just avoid it.
I also read legumes are very good for a protein, I'd think better than ANY DELI MEAT , anything compressed and emulsified with chemicals us NOT ideal at all. I do try to buy most things,meats, grains, especially strawberries and most fruits organic,etc.. I've started using Monkfruit/w/ stevia packets for sweetening. I try to eat fresh tumeric chopped small is tolerable in salads. Anti-inflammatory is important. Lowering all processed carbs (pasta is one :((((!!) is also important. I drink a spoonful of Black seed oil a few times or more a week. Its I think from the Tumeric seeds. I actually feel more energized when I do....AND I always refil bottles in bulk gallons of Alkaline water from W,Foods or fr whatever Health food stores have that set up... The body should be in an Alkaline PH as much as possible because cancer grows in acidic PH more so...
The reason exercise (which I wish to do more of starting this week!) is so important is that when endorphines or some ??cellular activity is reached after lets say at least 20 minutes of cardio it acts as some sort of protection to slow malilgnant cell growth (don't quote my exact words...)but if Bcancer proliferates in fat cells than lets get rid of more fat....