6 Tips to Fight Cancer with Food

     Eating clean, cooked, and well-balanced meals from all 5 food groups is the heart of health care. But how can you eat to stay far away from 'Cancer'? Find out in  6 Tips to Fight Cancer with Food that might turn your boring meal plan into something wonderful every day.

6 Tips to Fight Cancer with Food

1. Eat a Variety of Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are a source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and various phytochemicals.

• Red: Contains lycopene, such as tomatoes, watermelon, strawberries.
• Yellow/Orange: Contains beta-carotene, such as pumpkin, carrots, oranges, papaya.
• Green: Contains chlorophyll, such as kale, broccoli, green leafy vegetables.
• Purple: Contains anthocyanin, such as purple cabbage, eggplant, purple sweet potato.
• White/Light Brown: Contains xanthone/allicin, such as Chinese cabbage, mushrooms, garlic.

2. Other Recommended Food Groups

• Unpolished Grains and Dietary Fiber Reduce the risk of gastrointestinal cancer, such as brown rice, corn, oats, mung beans, soybeans.
• Animal Protein Sources such as fish, poultry, eggs, milk.
• Spices Contain substances that help reduce cancer risk, such as chili, turmeric, garlic, ginger.
• High Antioxidants such as green tea (contains EGCG), which helps reduce the risk of cancer cells.

Food Groups to Reduce and Avoid

3. Reduce Red Meat, Avoid Processed Meat and High Saturated Fat Foods

• Red Meat Pork, beef, lamb (should not exceed 500 grams/week).
• Processed Meat Sausage, bacon, ham, Chinese sausage (Kun Chiang), fermented pork (Naem) (contains nitrites, which increase cancer risk).
• High Saturated Fat Foods such as butter, coconut milk, animal fat, fast food.

4. Consume Salty and Fermented Foods Rarely and in Small Amounts

• Reduce table salt, fermented foods such as salted meat, salted fish, fermented fish (Pla Ra), pickled vegetables, pickled fruits.

5. 'Raw/Undercooked, Charred Grilled, and Reused Fried' Must Be Avoided

• Do not reuse frying oil multiple times.
• Do not eat raw or undercooked food, especially freshwater fish with scales, which risks liver fluke infection that can lead to cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).
• Do not consume dried food contaminated with aflatoxins, such as peanuts, chili powder, which have been stored in high humidity and temperature.
• Avoid charred or heavily smoked grilled food. Always cut off the burnt parts before eating.

6. Avoid Alcoholic Beverages and Supplements

     We should not drink alcoholic beverages and consume unnecessary supplements, as the benefits may be unclear and there may be adverse effects, such as liver and kidney failure. However, you should consult a doctor and dietitian before deciding to take any supplements.