Nutrition & Cancer

What Makes Up a Healthy Diet?

Nutrition is important for everyone, especially those undergoing treatment for cancer. The Food Guide Pyramid describes the components of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. It provides general guidelines and goals for healthy Americans. Ask to speak to your Registered Dietitian about designing an pyramid specific to your needs.

 

 

Grain Group: Make half your grains whole

 

 

  • Eat at least 3 oz. of whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta every day
  • 1 oz. is about 1 slice of bread, about 1 cup of breakfast cereal, or 1/2 cup of cooked rice, cereal, or pasta

 

Vegetable Group: Vary your veggies

 

 

 

  • Eat more dark green veggies like broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy greens
  • Eat more orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes
  • Eat more dry beans and peas like pinto beans, kidney beans, and lentils

 

Fruit Group: Focus on fruits

 

 

  • Eat a variety of fruit
  • Choose fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit
  • Go easy on fruit juices

 

Milk Group: Get your calcium-rich foods

 

 

  • Go low-fat or fat-free when you choose milk, yogurt, and other milk products
  • If you don't or can't consume milk, choose lactosefree products or other calcium sources such as fortified foods and beverages

 

Meat & Beans Group: Go lean with protein

 

 

  • Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry
  • Bake it, broil it, or grill it
  • Vary your protein routine - choose more fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds

 

Know the limits on fats, sugars, and salt (sodium)

 

  • Make most of your fat sources from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.
  • Limit solid fats like butter, stick margarine, shortening, and lard, as well as foods that contain these.
  • Check the Nutrition Facts label to keep saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium low.
  • Choose food and beverages low in added sugars. Added sugars contribute calories with few, if any, nutrients.

 

Find your balance between food and physical activity

 

 

  • Speak to your doctor about what physical activity is right for you.

 

*** For more information, go to www.mypyramid.gov