Cancer-fighting foods and a blueberry blast smoothie recipe

Cancer is a complicated disease, and no single food will cure it, despite what some tricky labels might want you to believe. However, even oncologists - doctors who specialize in cancer - agree that some foods can help you reduce your risk. And if you already have cancer, eating the right way can support your health through treatment and might even help prevent a recurrence. 

Blueberry blast smoothie recipe for cancer prevention

If you’re in the mood for an easy, healthy treat, here’s a recipe that was specially crafted to support cancer prevention and survival by the American Institute for Cancer Research. 

The power of veggies 

The first group of cancer-fighting foods probably won’t surprise you: vegetables. Specifically, people who eat cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy and kale, have a lower cancer risk. The American Society of Clinical Oncology says studies have shown that vegetables like these help protect against head and neck cancers, esophageal cancer and stomach cancer.  

Dietary fiber 

Dietary fiber is also a good cancer fighter — especially to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, according to studies by the American Institute of Cancer Research and World Cancer Research Fund. That means choosing whole grains — whole-wheat bread instead of white, and brown rice instead of white rice. It can also mean a bowl of steel-cut oats with antioxidant-boosting blueberries in the morning, some warm split-pea soup on a chilly afternoon or opting for a side of black beans instead of tortilla chips at a Mexican restaurant. 

Lycopene 

Foods that contain lycopene, an antioxidant, also may help reduce your risk, especially of lung, stomach, prostate, colon, oral and esophageal cancer, the ASCO says. To add more lycopene, make sure your diet has tomatoes, watermelon, apricots or pink grapefruit. (Be cautious with grapefruit, which can significantly interfere with many common medications — if you are on a prescription of any kind, it’s best to ask your pharmacist or doctor if grapefruit is safe.) 

Nutritional support for cancer patients 

If you’re already a cancer patient or recently diagnosed, getting good nutritional support is important. Ask your doctor or care coordinator about talking to a dietitian, which is integrated into many comprehensive cancer care programs such as TidalHealth’s Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute in Ocean Pines and Salisbury and the TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center in Seaford. Support groups at these centers offer healthy cooking classes for cancer patients and families as well. 

The AICR has many more recipes, from entrees to snacks, that can help add more cancer-fighting foods to your table.