Guidelines for Healthy Eating

Maintain a healthy weight

Depending on what breast cancer treatment you undergo, you may experience weight gain or weight loss. Aim to maintain a healthy weight during treatment, avoiding excess gain or loss. Strict dieting during treatment is not recommended. Many breast cancer survivors gain weight as a result of treatment. To learn more about managing weight gain,

Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day

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Eating frequent small meals will ensure your body is getting enough calories, protein, and nutrients to tolerate treatment. Smaller meals may also help to reduce treatment-related side effects such as nausea. Try eating 5-6 small meals or “mini” meals about every three hours.

Choose protein-rich foods

Protein helps the body to repair cells and tissues. It also helps to immune system recover from illness. Include a source of lean protein at all meals and snacks. Good sources of lean protein include:

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• Lean meats such as chicken, fish, or turkey

• Eggs

• Low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese or dairy substitutes

• Nuts and nut butters

• Beans

• Soy foods

Include whole grains

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Whole grains provide a good source of carbohydrate and fiber, which help keep your energy levels up. Good sources of whole grains include:

• Oatmeal

• Whole wheat breads

• Brown rice

• Whole grain pastas

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day.

Fruits and vegetables offer the body antioxidants, which can help fight against cancer. Choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to get the greatest benefit. Aim to eat a minimum of 5 servings of whole fruits and vegetables daily.

Choose sources of healthy fat.

Avoid fried, greasy, and fatty foods. Choose baked, broiled, or grilled foods instead. Healthy fats include:

Diet and cancer - Wikipedia

• Olive oil

• Avocados

• Nuts

• Seeds

Limit sweets and added sugars

Foods high in added sugars like desserts and sweets provide little nutritional benefit and often take the place of other foods that are better for you.

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough fluids during cancer treatment is important for preventing dehydration. Aim to drink 64 ounces of fluid daily. Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages. Too much caffeine can lead to dehydration.

Practice good food safety

Wash the hands often while preparing food. Use different knives and cutting boards for raw meat and raw vegetables. Be sure to cook all foods to their proper temperature and refrigerate leftovers right away.