14 Anti-Cancer Foods
By Sally Kuzemchak, M.S. R.D., Family Circle
What you eat and how much you consume makes a difference when it comes to cancer, says Colleen Doyle, R.D., director of nutrition and physical activity for the American Cancer Society. The first step: Limit your intake of sweets and unhealthy fats. Focus on the term occasional treat, with the stress on occasional. Step two: Incorporate the following foods into your everyday meals and snacks; pick at least two a day for a weeks worth of protection. Theyre nutritional powerhouses and have all shown promise in the fight against cancer.
Soy
Serving = 1 cup soy milk, 4 ounces tofu, or 1/2 cup shelled edamame
Soy may lower the risk for breast and prostate cancers. Youll get more benefit from whole soy (edamame, tofu and soy milk) than from foods with processed soy protein (energy bars), says Alice Bender, R.D., a dietician with the American Institute for Cancer Research. One caution: Some women with breast cancer should avoid soy talk with your doctor.
Berries
Serving = 1 cup
Berries contain antioxidants that reduce and repair the kind of damage to cells that can lead to cancer. When theyre not in season, choose frozen berries since theyre typically just as healthy as fresh.