Does eating less red meat help reduce risk prostate cancer recurrence?

I cut out red meat and processed meat entirely. I hope I can still have chicken and fish?
I also see people saying to cut out dairy, but my MO says that is nonsense. She did say follow a Mediterranean diet.

When I did my original research on possible ways to thrive during ADT (I was to be on lupron and abiraterone for 2 years) I decided to try to eat that which was not subject to controversy and avoid that which was. As a fellow very high risk gleason 9 with EPE and cribriform, I wanted to eat to support bone, cardiovascular and overall health while attempting to kick PCa to the curb. During ADT, the nutritionist suggested 1.5 g of protien/pound of body weight. Debated to varying degrees in 2021 were the risks from eating red/processed meat, dairy, eggs, saturated fats, foods with added sugars and ultra processed foods. To accomplish my health objectives, I cut out all of the above. I switched to unsweetened soy milk (good protien and calcium), learned to turn organic tofu (all 4 degrees of firmness), tempa and combinations of legumes, mushrooms and nuts into many different textures, favors and meals (great source protien, fiber and calcium). Occasionally I'll enjoy a bit of chicken. I include wild salmon, cod, halibut or tuna once a week. I use a good bit of olive oil, whole grains and approx 10 cups of a wide variety of fruits and veggies (mostly fresh) each day. Combined with the cardio and resistance exercise recommended for those on ADT, my bone density, per the DEXA scans, actually increased during my time on ADT. Without any evidence, I attribute this to the amounts of plant protien and calcium I was getting in my diet along with the calcium and vitamin D supplements the doctor ordered.

I switched to the diet I follow because I didn't like the feeling of sitting down to a meal and wondering if the food I was eating might be, in some way yet to be proven, promoting PCa or other health issues. If I'm not sure, I'd rather just do without it. I have found that after several months of doing without something, I don't miss it as I have replaced it with other new favorite foods. In this way, there will be at least one less "if only I had..." on the day I am diagnosed with BCR.
Bill

When I did my original research on possible ways to thrive during ADT (I was to be on lupron and abiraterone for 2 years) I decided to try to eat that which was not subject to controversy and avoid that which was. As a fellow very high risk gleason 9 with EPE and cribriform, I wanted to eat to support bone, cardiovascular and overall health while attempting to kick PCa to the curb. During ADT, the nutritionist suggested 1.5 g of protien/pound of body weight. Debated to varying degrees in 2021 were the risks from eating red/processed meat, dairy, eggs, saturated fats, foods with added sugars and ultra processed foods. To accomplish my health objectives, I cut out all of the above. I switched to unsweetened soy milk (good protien and calcium), learned to turn organic tofu (all 4 degrees of firmness), tempa and combinations of legumes, mushrooms and nuts into many different textures, favors and meals (great source protien, fiber and calcium). Occasionally I'll enjoy a bit of chicken. I include wild salmon, cod, halibut or tuna once a week. I use a good bit of olive oil, whole grains and approx 10 cups of a wide variety of fruits and veggies (mostly fresh) each day. Combined with the cardio and resistance exercise recommended for those on ADT, my bone density, per the DEXA scans, actually increased during my time on ADT. Without any evidence, I attribute this to the amounts of plant protien and calcium I was getting in my diet along with the calcium and vitamin D supplements the doctor ordered.

I switched to the diet I follow because I didn't like the feeling of sitting down to a meal and wondering if the food I was eating might be, in some way yet to be proven, promoting PCa or other health issues. If I'm not sure, I'd rather just do without it. I have found that after several months of doing without something, I don't miss it as I have replaced it with other new favorite foods. In this way, there will be at least one less "if only I had..." on the day I am diagnosed with BCR.
Bill

I cut out red meat and processed meat entirely. I hope I can still have chicken and fish?
I also see people saying to cut out dairy, but my MO says that is nonsense. She did say follow a Mediterranean diet.

Good for you Bill. I like your approach and I especially like the ‘if only I had’ part. That’s the single point that drives me insane!!
Nobody knows diddly about the true impact of ANY of the foods we all cite: meat, dairy, eggs, this veggie but not that one, this supplement - but only the chelated form…
I have to just throw my hands up and say ‘why did I?’ Why did I Cut out every freakin thing I loved in life because some self proclaimed expert did a retrospective study on whatever just because he/she had to publish?
This week I had GRILLED pork tenderloin and grilled skirt steak - and oh man was it delicious! I have had a meat allergy for the past 6 years and have had to avoid all mammalian protein - including gelatin. Sounds easy until you actually have to do it!
In that time my cholesterol has risen to the point that I now need a statin (had LOW levels when I ate meat instead of chicken, turkey and fish)
AND I have seen my prostate cancer return. What?? Even with NO red meat????!!!
So now please everybody pile on and ask me how many eggs I ate, or how much dairy or cheese I consumed because THAT has to be what made my cancer come back right?
NOT the miscoding on my defective gene which no one can find (yet) and which keeps allowing these cells to go rogue.
Bill, it’s a minefield of anecdotal reports, boilerplate advice from specialists and money making infomercials from supposed health gurus whose careers started in selling aluminum siding.
I have nothing but praise and admiration for all those who choose to live a Spartan existence when it comes to food. I hope it works for them…For myself, I plan to continue to eat all things in moderation, exercise regularly, watch my weight and get outdoors as much as possible. This sounds like real ‘living’ to me!!
Thanks for the timely post, Bill!!
Best,
Phil

Even though there is plenty of evidence that red meat, deli meats and alcohol are generally bad for your health and especially bad for people with prostate cancer, some people prefer to continue them because they satisfy their cravings that they built up over time due to repetition. Eating fish and poultry instead of red meat will make you feel lighter and mentally quicker. I personally love lamb, which I only eat on rare occasions in restaurants. Eating minimal amounts of things that aren’t very healthy is ok. I love French pastries, but only eat them once or twice a month.

@jimgaudette
I agree , for most people it is really hard thing , almost impossible, and I can understand that , absolutely.

Luckily I am not food oriented person and the same goes for my husband.

We enjoy good food and love going out to fancy restaurants on occasion but it is never THE reason to go out, etc. One has to eat but it is far from being center of interest or is necessary for enjoyment of anything for us. We do not feel like we are "missing" anything since we just adore veggies and fruits , always did, maybe it is the reason why we do not see vegetarian diet as god forbid "sacrifice" of some kind . The only thing I "miss" sometimes is a cheese, but not in sense that I feel deprived. If it happens to be part of meal when I order something out I will not go through process of taking it off lol, since that one peace of mozzarella in one month will really not make a difference. But at the same time, eating cheese like French person on a platter after the fancy diner is out of question now, or eating it every day in a croissant, or on top of a crostini or inside panini etc - just not going to happen ; ).

Regarding "eating on rare occasions" it is a very broad definition- for you it is once a month but somebody else would consider eating it once a week or even every other day etc.

Bottom line - if one can reduce and avoid red meat, milk and eggs it is advisable, if one can not, there is no advice or study what will per-sway him/her otherwise and that is OK too. Everybody is free to make their own choice - science is one thing and "real life" another.