We cannot choose one single food, but a combination of foods can help make a differene. The best option is to strike the right balance, with two-thirds plant-based foods and one-third of animal protein. This combination can be a vital cancer-fighting tool.

Here are a few food choices that can be a better or worse choice for patients suffering from cancer.

Colorful is the choice

We all know that fruits and vegetables are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients, and the fact is that more the color, the more nutrients they carry. These colorful fruits and vegetables help lower your risk of cancer when they help you maintain healthy body weight. Excess body weight has been cited as one principal reason for multiple cancers like colon, esophagus, and kidney cancers. Consume a variety of vegetables especially the dark green, red, and orange ones.

Cancer-fighting breakfast

The natural folate is rich in Vitamin B, which helps protect against cancers of colon, recturm and breast. You can add it in plenty to your breakfast table. Fortified breakfast cereals and whole wheat products are also a good source of folate. This is also available in plenty in your orange juice, melons, and strawberries.

Other sources of folate

Folate is plenty in foods like asparagus and eggs. It is alos found in common in beans, sunflower seeds, and leafy green vegetables like spinach. The best way to get folate is not from food supplements or pills but from natural fruits, vegetables, and enriching grains. Women during pregnancy should use supplements to substantiate their folic acid requirements and give birth to healthy babies.

Avoid the deli

An occasional sandwich or hot dog is not going to harm you. But you must cut back on processed meats like ham, hot dogs, and sausages. This will lower your risk of colorectal and stomach cancers. Smoked meats or salted products raise the exposure to chemicals that can cause potential cancer.

Tomatoes help a lot

Lycopene is the pigment that gives tomatoes their unique red color. Though we are not yet very specific why they get the colour they are rated high for their potency in reducing the risk of cancer. Studies also suggest that processed tomato products such as juices or puree are not that efficient in this task.

Green tea is great

Green tea is always well known for its cancer-fighting properties. In studies green tea proved to slow down the development of colon, liver, breast, and prostate cancer cells. It also has similar effect on lung tissue and skin. Some other research has proved its efficacy in bladder, stomach and pancreatic cancers too.

Goodness of grapes

Grapes especially the purple and red variety, contain resveratrol, which has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In laboratory studies, it was observed that grapes prevented cell damage in the body that can trigger cancer.

Limit alcohol

Alcohol consumption is related to mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver and breast cancer. It also raises the risk of colon and rectal cancer. Limiting alcohol to no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women is recommended.

Pass on sugars

Sugar directly does not cause cancer, but they displace other nutrients that protect against cancer. Sugar also contributes to weight gain and increase the risk of cancer.

Similarly, frying, grilling and cooking at high heat release chemicals that may increase the risk of cancer. Adding healthy vegetables to your curries helps in reducing cancer risks to a great extent.