Eat Smart During Summer Barbecue Season, Experts Say
As we head deeper into the summer barbecue season, experts at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) are encouraging healthy eating choices in order to decrease the risk of cancer. While there are national nutritional guidelines relating to cancer prevention, the American Cancer Society notes the evidence concerning the relationship between nutrition and the treatment of a chronic disease such as cancer is not definitive because this area has not been fully researched.
The American Dietetic Association is currently developing guidelines for the nutritional management of patients with cancer undergoing anti-cancer therapies. These guidelines will assist health care professionals to base nutrition treatment choices on the best available evidence.
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, food-related choices that will help to reduce the risk of some cancers include:
- Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods--particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat.
- Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
- Limit consumption of red meats--such as beef, pork, and lamb--and avoid processed meats.
- If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to two for men and one for women a day.
- Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
- Don't use supplements to protect against cancer.