Have you changed your diet post breast cancer?

Posted by val97 @val97, 5 days ago

I am reading so much conflicting information about diets for breast cancer patients/survivors. Some say Mediterranean, some say no meat, dairy, carbs, sugars, etc. I've even read where you should eat all meat. I'm also on Tamoxifen and found an article that said I should avoid Chamomile Tea, pineapple, oranges, soy and shell fish. Then I read another article that said that tofu might actually help people on Tamoxifen. What do you believe? My oncologist didn't give me any information about things I should avoid and finding this frightened me.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

I have to say that often diet information is not very scientific. Info on the web, unfortunately, can be kind of faddish. To my knowledge, there is no post breast cancer diet, which I suspect is why your oncologist has no real suggestions. In general, consistent exercise and a balanced diet don't do any harm and are good for general health! You might get a consultation with a reputable nutritionist and see what is appropriate for you and your lifestyle. Some folks like a sense of strict control in eating, which might be individually useful but not a system for everyone. I think it is important post cancer to be as kind to yourself as possible and not adopt extreme habits--treatment itself is difficult enough. My sister is ten years out from breast cancer and she works periodically with a nutritionist mostly to keep her weight healthy and deal with some unrelated blood sugar issues. She tells me it gives her a good feeling to take care of herself. But personally I'd avoid a list of "bad" foods--and sometimes these lists are contradictory!

REPLY

My concern has been the various proteins. Most if not all have added HORMONES injected which I do not need. I called several companies and my favorite restaurants to find out which brand they use. Boars head for example does NOT add hormones to their deli chicken or Turkey but they do to their meats. Perdue & Bell & Evans are fine for fresh poultry but NOT Tyson.
I wish someone had a comprehensive list. I've been eating more fFish when I'm unsure. My oncologist said that real SOY is fine. Too confusing.

REPLY

I don’t know all the food options. Trying to eat more fresh salads, less chocolate 🍫. Trying to loose some weight too. Walking 20 min every other day. Soon to add indoor cycling 🚴. I wish I knew the miracle pill or food or drink that stops cancer from spreading inside one’s. Body. I have been reading about Halean 951 (sp)

REPLY
@trashycat

I don’t know all the food options. Trying to eat more fresh salads, less chocolate 🍫. Trying to loose some weight too. Walking 20 min every other day. Soon to add indoor cycling 🚴. I wish I knew the miracle pill or food or drink that stops cancer from spreading inside one’s. Body. I have been reading about Halean 951 (sp)

Jump to this post

I try to avoid things where studies have shown an association with breast cancer (because it makes sense that if it can cause it, it can't be healthy). So alcohol is out (some tasty NAs out there). I minimize meat and eggs because it's the animal that is fed hormones & antibiotics. No processed foods and try to minimize sweets or use lower glycemic index sweeteners when sweetening is needed. No artificial sweeteners. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I've found ways to eat quinoa to improve flavor. I use Irish grass fed whey since it has no additives and when fat is extracted, estrogen goes with it.

REPLY

When first diagnosed, before surgery, I set up a meeting with.a nutritionist at the cancer center. Best thing I ever did. She simplified everything. 30%/30%|30% carb/fat/protein.

Start there. Then you can “try” to figure out issues like hormone in cattle feed of the particular pound of burger meat you bought at Krogers.

For me, it took time and practice to get the % in place and then within a caloric range.

I learned that most diet products for protein are very high calorie. Think weight lifters

Now 5 years out my typical daily breakfast is low or no fat plain Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and a few almonds. I avoid eggs but on occasion will have scrambled eggs or hard boiled eggs. I increased salads and veggies. Avoided sugars and sweets as much as possible. Used protein drinks/waters when I can find them and they are low calorie. Look for high protein snacks (handful of almonds, fresh fruit) etc.

I have lost about 40 pounds. Attend cardio classes and strength training classes 90 mins twice each week it has taken me 5 years to accomplish ok lush this.

REPLY

I was dx with Celiac disease in 2014, so I had already cut out gluten. I also have Hashimoto's, which is also an autoimmune disease. I have a fabulous Dr who monitors my thyroid and other hormones. She highly recommended the Autoimmune Diet for 30 days. I ended up following it for 93 days because I felt so good! I also lost 30 pounds, which was a bonus. NO nightshades, no grains, no legumes, no beans or peas, no nuts or seeds, no dairy, no eggs. All of these things can be inflammatory and I needed to find out which foods were causing me issues. Once I did that, I kept eating whole foods. Unfortunately, I deal with stress by eating the wrong things. I slowly got back into eating sugar filled items. I gained 30 pounds back in a year. I am all swollen again and just feel like crap.
Since my diagnosis, I have done a lot of research on BC specific diets an supplements and other alternative therapies.
Soy milk is absolutely fine, in fact, it may actually have protective benefits. A whole foods, plant based diet would be ideal. But the Mediterranean Diet is also good. The main thing is to cut out sugar, processed foods, simple carbs, alcohol. Flaxseed is also shown to have benefits to BC. Mushrooms, especially Mesima type, have benefits. The extract is what supplement to take. Vit D3 w/K2 is important for all cancers. Vit C, Zinc.
MOVE YOUR BODY! rid your body of any excess fat. Sweat!
Remember to keep your meals simple and real food.

REPLY
@tullynut

When first diagnosed, before surgery, I set up a meeting with.a nutritionist at the cancer center. Best thing I ever did. She simplified everything. 30%/30%|30% carb/fat/protein.

Start there. Then you can “try” to figure out issues like hormone in cattle feed of the particular pound of burger meat you bought at Krogers.

For me, it took time and practice to get the % in place and then within a caloric range.

I learned that most diet products for protein are very high calorie. Think weight lifters

Now 5 years out my typical daily breakfast is low or no fat plain Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and a few almonds. I avoid eggs but on occasion will have scrambled eggs or hard boiled eggs. I increased salads and veggies. Avoided sugars and sweets as much as possible. Used protein drinks/waters when I can find them and they are low calorie. Look for high protein snacks (handful of almonds, fresh fruit) etc.

I have lost about 40 pounds. Attend cardio classes and strength training classes 90 mins twice each week it has taken me 5 years to accomplish ok lush this.

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing . Congrats on 5 years!

REPLY
@meeshodge

I was dx with Celiac disease in 2014, so I had already cut out gluten. I also have Hashimoto's, which is also an autoimmune disease. I have a fabulous Dr who monitors my thyroid and other hormones. She highly recommended the Autoimmune Diet for 30 days. I ended up following it for 93 days because I felt so good! I also lost 30 pounds, which was a bonus. NO nightshades, no grains, no legumes, no beans or peas, no nuts or seeds, no dairy, no eggs. All of these things can be inflammatory and I needed to find out which foods were causing me issues. Once I did that, I kept eating whole foods. Unfortunately, I deal with stress by eating the wrong things. I slowly got back into eating sugar filled items. I gained 30 pounds back in a year. I am all swollen again and just feel like crap.
Since my diagnosis, I have done a lot of research on BC specific diets an supplements and other alternative therapies.
Soy milk is absolutely fine, in fact, it may actually have protective benefits. A whole foods, plant based diet would be ideal. But the Mediterranean Diet is also good. The main thing is to cut out sugar, processed foods, simple carbs, alcohol. Flaxseed is also shown to have benefits to BC. Mushrooms, especially Mesima type, have benefits. The extract is what supplement to take. Vit D3 w/K2 is important for all cancers. Vit C, Zinc.
MOVE YOUR BODY! rid your body of any excess fat. Sweat!
Remember to keep your meals simple and real food.

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing your food regiment. I don’t know what celiac disease is, I will have to google it. Thank you again.

REPLY
@jmh22

I try to avoid things where studies have shown an association with breast cancer (because it makes sense that if it can cause it, it can't be healthy). So alcohol is out (some tasty NAs out there). I minimize meat and eggs because it's the animal that is fed hormones & antibiotics. No processed foods and try to minimize sweets or use lower glycemic index sweeteners when sweetening is needed. No artificial sweeteners. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I've found ways to eat quinoa to improve flavor. I use Irish grass fed whey since it has no additives and when fat is extracted, estrogen goes with it.

Jump to this post

What products of Irish grass fed do you use?

REPLY
@trashycat

What products of Irish grass fed do you use?

Jump to this post

AGN Roots grass-fed whey (through Amazon).

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.