Food Fight Against Breast Cancer

In the fight against cancer fresh, healthy and whole foods are proven to boost your immune system. Therefore it’s essential that those who are diagnosed with breast cancer maintain a diet that includes immune-boosting foods with nutrient dense vitamins and phytonutrients. While October is the month that focuses on breast cancer, these foods have benefits for other cancers and chronic illnesses as well.

Here is a list of a few significant vitamins that boost immune function, energy, and brain health. I’ve included a few ideas on where to find them in foods, as food sources are far more potent in benefits to the body than are supplement sources:

Vitamin A not only helps your vision, it is a key nutrient for stimulating the immune system to increase the “fight” against invading pathogens. It can be found in animal foods like shrimp, eggs, and liver or in vegetables like sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, carrots, cayenne pepper and watermelon. 

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and immune system booster. It can be found in foods such as tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, dark leafy greens and parsley.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant easily found in nuts like sunflower seeds and almonds, as well as dark leafy greens, olives and blueberries.

Folic acid along with the B Vitamins is essential for many of our cell functions that promote healthy blood and homocysteine levels, nerve functions, energy and mental clarity. It is widely found in beans, liver, dark leafy greens, cabbage, cauliflower and squash, along with fortified grains and cereals.

Here are six simple ideas for adding these foods into your meals or snacks:

1. Fresh or frozen fruit with granola using blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or grapes

2. Smoothies made with fresh fruit and leafy greens like kale or spinach

3. Tomato slices with olives or drizzled with olive oil and fresh herbs

4. Carrots or celery with hummus or peanut butter

5. A baked sweet potato (no added sweeteners please!)

6. A handful of nuts

Enjoy the gift of good health by eating good for you foods!