When it comes to fighting cancer, more and more studies are showing that what you eat can make a difference in that fight.
“There’s a lot of evidence-based research showing that diet can have a huge impact,” says Wellness House, a Hinsdale-based nonprofit that helps cancer patients and their families with free exercise. Nutrition Program Manager Angela Dennison said: classes, nutrition seminars and more. “When it comes to cancer and nutrition, research shows that a truly plant-first diet is indeed recommended.
Dennison said research shows that a plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables can improve survival, minimize side effects of cancer treatments, and reduce the risk of recurrence.
With weekly in-person and virtual seminars, Dennison tackles a variety of nutrition topics and offers this easy way to incorporate more vegetables into your daily routine.
“We tend to leave out the healthiest foods, but when we’re on a plant-first diet, we tend to make the healthiest foods the main meal, with meat, seafood, or dairy. We use it more…as a seasoning,” Dennison said.
For example, instead of eating a chicken breast side salad, place the salad on the main plate and add a few ounces of chicken breast on top.
During a recent cooking class, Dennison made a bean and quinoa casserole in one skillet using corn, black beans, green chillies, salsa, fresh herbs and spices.
“We’re just trying to flip that plate from what we’re usually used to,” Dennison said.
In addition to incorporating more fruits and vegetables, cancer experts say staying hydrated is also important.
“One thing that cannot be overemphasized is hydration,” said Srilata Gundala, M.D., oncologist and founder of Hope and Healing Cancer Services in Hinsdale.
Gundala, an oncologist for 17 years, said there is growing research into how certain foods can help fight cancer.
“Nutrition always seems to work. Nutrition is like the center of everything. These are simple things that patients can manage, so we want to make sure they understand it.” I’m thinking,” said Gundala.
That’s what Westmont’s Silvia Lada has been eyeing. Rada was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2017 and later metastasized to her lungs. Her doctors discovered she had a brain tumor in 2021.
“I was shocked at first and was like, ‘Oh my god, what does this mean to me? How long am I going to be there?'” Radha said, describing her reaction to the spread of cancer.
Doctors recommended immunotherapy treatments to help keep cancer at bay, but Radha admits a plant-prioritizing diet as well. doing.
“It gives you a sense of control over what’s happening to you and that you’re trying to make things better for yourself,” said Rada.
Plainfield’s Lina Tyble also attends cancer nutrition seminars, wanting to help her husband Bill. Bill Taibl has stage 4 prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones.
“The news is life-changing. It just makes you shriek to a halt and your life is completely different,” said Lina Taibl.
“To feel in control of a situation, you have to find a way to control it. He added that he began to limit and add more fruits and vegetables.
She said it made a difference.
“He’s feeling great. His strength is up and I attribute a lot of that to his nutrition. I think nutrition works with his medication. Even his doctor was surprised. He was scheduled to undergo chemotherapy in June, but postponed it because he was feeling very well,” said Taibl.
Taible admits that a plant-based diet means spending more time in the kitchen and going to the store for fresh ingredients, but she’s not going to change that.
“You can’t put a price tag on life. I think it made a difference in his life and I think that’s the really important thing,” Tyble said.
