天博体育

By Suzanne Rose

Last week I attended the 14th annual symposium. I wasn鈥檛 exactly surprised that nearly every seat in the nutrition session was taken, given recent headlines that development and that heart-healthy . Perhaps everyone hoped to learn more about coffee and other 鈥渕iracle鈥� foods.

Boston-area nutritionist focused on something more realistic but equally important鈥攈ealthful eating once cancer has made its appearance. What she had to say about particular foods wasn鈥檛 exactly groundbreaking, but the way she linked diet to quality of life got the audience鈥檚 attention. Wolfson noted that men with prostate cancer (or anyone with cancer, for that matter) often feel that they have little control in their lives. But by choosing to eat healthfully, people with cancer can take control of their health, which can improve their attitude. By opting for more nutritious foods, people can create energy and vitality and enrich their quality of life.

Wolfson鈥檚 introduction made me think that she was about to rattle off a seemingly unending and overwhelming list of dietary changes that men with prostate cancer need to make without acknowledging how difficult this can be. Instead, she talked about what she ate growing up鈥攍ots of meat and few vegetables, mostly of the canned variety. She admitted that healthy eating doesn鈥檛 always come naturally and that people need to take small steps over time to be successful. Wolfson recommended three steps toward a more healthful diet:

• Eat more plant-based foods.
• Eat fewer foods from animals.
• Watch portion sizes and eat all foods in moderation.

A growing body of evidence shows that consuming high amounts of red meat and other food from animals, along with excess weight, raises the risk of certain diseases, including prostate cancer. That鈥檚 why Wolfson said people should fill two-thirds of their plates with plant-based foods such as vegetables, grains, fruits, legumes (beans), nuts, and seeds.

If you aren鈥檛 a vegetable fan, Wolfson offered another helpful tip: try one new vegetable or good-for-you food a week鈥攁nd don鈥檛 give up if you don鈥檛 like it right away. 鈥淜ale might not be exciting to you the first time you try it, but keep working to make it palatable,鈥� Wolfson said. 鈥淭ry cooking it a different way, add it to soup, or find another recipe that you might like.鈥�

When asked about dealing with a wheat allergy, Wolfson said that eating grains doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean having a slice of whole wheat bread. There are many non-wheat grains, including buckwheat, quinoa, barley, brown rice, corn meal, and rye. Because different grains contain different nutrients, one should strive to eat a variety of them. As for breakfast cereals, opt for whole-grain varieties with no more than 5 or 6 grams of sugar per serving. To sweeten cereal, add fresh fruit, such as blueberries.

Speaking of fruit, Wolfson said to choose fresh or frozen fruit, if possible, for higher nutritional value. Dried fruit is an option, but don鈥檛 overdo it because it鈥檚 generally high in sugar.

A healthy diet should also include legumes such as kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas and hummus, lentils, and natural peanut butter. Canned beans are easier to use than dried beans, but if you buy the canned variety, rinse the beans to remove excess salt, which can elevate blood pressure.

For many in the audience, the take-home message probably wasn鈥檛 new: it鈥檚 best to stick to a diet rich in plant-based foods. It isn鈥檛 as exciting a message as 鈥渃offee may protect against prostate cancer,鈥� but it will probably have a bigger payoff in the long run.

Published may 25, 2011.