Eat Healthy Diet To Prevent Cancer

WILTON — After reviewing the scientific evidence, the American Cancer Society has confirmed that eating a healthy diet and being physically active can help prevent cancer. During the winter holidays, however, it is especially easy to get caught up in overindulgent meals, high calorie holiday treats, and excess food and drink.

The American Cancer Society offers opportunities to share good tidings with choices for good health that can reduce the risk of cancer for you and those you love.

 

Holiday Meals

Need help planning a holiday menu that is festive, traditional, and healthy? Log on to www.cancer.org. Following the American Cancer Society Nutrition Guidelines, the society provides hundreds of delicious recipes that offer party-food taste with less fat, fewer calories, and more cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society offers alternative recipes for traditional favorites like creamy chocolate cheesecake with sliced strawberries or a melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin mousse, each low in fat and less than 150 calories per serving.

 

Recipe Makeovers

Update a favorite recipe using high fiber and low fat ingredients.

High-fiber diets are thought to reduce the risk of colon cancer because the fiber more rapidly moves food through the lower digestive tract. “Boost fiber content to your favorite recipes with whole grain breads and dried fruit such as cranberries, raisins, or apricots,” advises Michelle Wolf, area director for cancer control.

 

Making Your Way Through A Holiday Buffet

If your holiday meal is buffet-style, enjoy and eat what you want but watch the portion sizes, advises Ms Wolf. When you know you are going to eat a big meal late in the day, consider your food choices over the course of the entire day. She suggests starting with a light breakfast, such as dressing up fruits and vegetables with low-fat yogurt or cheese. Skipping meals may make you overindulge later. Also, if you would like to splurge on a higher calorie dessert, consider lighter entrees.

 

Get Up And Move

Invite family and friends to go for a walk. It does not have to be brisk; even a leisurely walk will help get the food moving through your digestive system and give you more energy.

By eating well and being active, you can settle into the holiday festivities in a more healthful way. Choices for Good Health, a brochure offering guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention, is available by calling 800-ACS-2345.

For more information anytime, call toll free 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.