jana's circle - living with cancer • finding your strength • nutritional

Nutrition – Carol Hornig

Nutrition is a huge topic and I love nothing more than to talk about it, but, for now, I'll just keep it very simple and very basic.

Let’s begin with what I believe is the foundation upon which everything else rests: Eat organic whole natural foods.

Eat organic whole natural foods, the ones provided by nature—not made by man. It’s not necessary to be fanatical about this but it is important to make a sincere effort. Remember too that no one thing is the magic answer to anything. Eating well is part of an entire lifestyle that will support good health, or not. So if you go out for dinner with friends and this feeds your soul, I wouldn’t worry if the broccoli isn’t organic, but I would still avoid really "bad" stuff like fried foods.

Drink lots of clean water.

Eat a vegetable-based diet. This doesn’t necessarily mean vegetarian; it does mean lots of vegetables. Some people do well on a vegetarian diet, some do well incorporating animal products. A nutritionist can help you determine what is best for you. There is no absolute right or wrong diet.

There are some foods that are important to include in a cancer prevention diet. These include:

Garlic, onions, leeks and chives

Shiitake and Maitake mushrooms

Bancha or green tea

Cultured milk products like yogurt and kefir

Seaweeds

Carotenes: A concentrated source is vegetable juice made from carrots, celery cabbage, assorted dark greens such as spinach, kale, turnip greens, parsley, Swiss chard

Protease inhibitors: Beans, bean sprouts, miso, tempeh

Figs

Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale collards

Fish: Provides the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA)

Flaxseeds: Provide the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid

Vegetables, vegetables, vegetables and some fruit: Try to include all the colors of the rainbow in your daily intake of vegetables and fruits

There are some foods that are important to include in a cancer prevention diet. To eat fish or not to eat fish, that is the question these days. Personally, I am avoiding most fish and taking fish oil supplements. You must take only excellent quality fish oil that has been tested for mercury, organic toxins and rancidity. This is a sad but true situation. Environmental toxins are an issue we must all be aware of and do our best to avoid and avoid creating in whatever way we can. Perhaps environmental toxins are part of the reason cancer is an epidemic???? (I think it is.)

That’s it for today. Be well. Laugh. Love. Be kind to yourself!!!!!!!

Thank you, Jana, for your hard work, loving intention to support others, and this opportunity.

Carol Hornig