Hi ladies
You who read my posts know that I’m laid back re diet and eat most things and follow a healthy diet as I always have done
I keep reading about people who have eliminated dairy products...why?
My oncologist told me to eat them them to keep my bones strong and I was pleased as I don’t eat much meat and hate fish..which leaves nuts and beans to obtain protein
Just interested
Barb xx
There is a theory that milk is inflammatory, so not good for the immune system. If you don’t drink organic, there’s the problem of antibiotics and growth hormones. I drastically cut back on milk before I got cancer, but still put it in coffee and bake with it on the rare occasions I bake. I do enjoy cheese occasionally and milk based yogurt, organic. Not all nut milks are that great either, you really have to read the labels. Greens like kale and spinach have lots of calcium. There are ways to get enough in a plant based diet.
Hi there
I’ve read so many conflicting theories that have no conclusive evidence that dairy raises the risk of bread cancer...even if it does isn’t it a bit late for us as we already are metastatic ?
Also lots of studies claim that it’s the high fat in dairy that increases the risk due to weight gain rather than hormone levels
Confusing to say the least
Barb xx
Barb, one of the BIG problems with dairy that in the US we have been feeding our cattle with corn and soy since the 60's, plus heavy antibiotics, etc. None of these are good for your microbiome, therefore cancer,etc. In England and most of Europe, your cattle is grassfed, as far as I know. Therefore your dairy is MUCH healthier than ours. I do eat only goat and sheep cheese for that reason, but I will get some cheese from Europe on occassion. I have found coconut milk to be my favorite and my husband and son like almond milk as well. Dairy does make you mucousy, therefore inflamation, and that is the big thing we should all be trying to decrease, soooo.
Oh yes, I had forgotten about that. I remember how meat and dairy used to taste a lot different when I lived in America. I couldn't figure out what the difference was.
In Canada we don’t have antibiotics or growth hormones in our milk.
Yes in the UK our milk is fairly safe..also the growth hormone isn’t metabolised in the same way in humans as it’s from a different species ..hope that makes sense..also our cows are grass fed
The antibiotics cows receive is for mastitis and that milk is discarded anyway...the cows still have to be milked though so they keep producing
Barb xx
Yes. I think your rules and ours are the same.
Hi Barb,
I don't eat much dairy (says the woman who just had an egg mayo sandwich on rye for lunch!) but my understanding is that a lot of dairy products contain growth hormones and antibiotics to increase milk production, which is why some practitioners recommend reducing or eliminating dairy from the diet. I have always preferred my tea black, so I have never added it to hot drinks and I tend to use unsweetened almond milk for porridge and in other recipes. But I do sometimes have free range eggs and Halloumi in place of cheddar or other cheeses, as it's less processed and I'm biased about it anyway, as my family are from Cyprus! I think that dairy is fine in moderation so long as you choose good quality products. I'm still on the fence about whether or not I want to become vegan. Oh, and I hate fish and don't eat much meat either! I've always felt that way. I just don't crave meat, and never have.
Sophie
I’m the same re fish and meat which is why I need to get protein elsewhere
Barb xx
I used to love fish, but a couple of months ago lost my taste for salmon and don’t love my former favorites halibut and sea bass. I could be vegan, but there’s so much prep, I’d need a chef 🙄
I’m lucky I have a chef...my husband loves cooking and I’m crap anyway so it works...he’s a vegetarian..eats fish though..so I eat a veggie diet mainly..been out for lunch with a chum today and had chicken which I enjoyed and a sneaky glass of white!. Good to have female company..had a gossip and put the world to rights
I used to eat all kinds of fish when I was a child as we lived on the coast...one of my earliest memories is of a lobster walking across our kitchen floor!!.. but like you I’ve lost the taste for it...I can just about manage fish and chips...cod usually
Barb xx
I had a not so sneaky vodka and orange yesterday. Should have had 2
Sometimes when I double up on kale in a smoothie I ask, why???
Hi Barb
There is a post by member base face - one word. It’s nutrition center that does daily review with you on your intake. I have been on it for a week. It is informative but for me I am finding out I don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. I am not strict about my diet at all but eat common sense wise. Not a junk eater- once in a while I want ice cream and I have it. I gained weight from the treatments which I am not happy about but trying to accept it. My dr told me not good idea to go on diet?! Told me exercise more. I find that difficult.
The nutrition site talks about you personally and your diet.💕
Frances
Hi Frances,
I signed up to that site too. In one of the updates I was told I eat too much fruit and not enough meat (I have never been a big meat eater). So I'm not sure about it really. There is so much confusion out there when it comes to health and nutrition.
Sophie
Hi Barb
Well, over the last few weeks since all this started for me, I've read so many conflicting items on dairy. Like the other ladies say, it appears to be around components in the milk such as insulin like growth hormone IGF-1. But then you read other articles about how it's good to eat yogurt. I've finally decided to just go as organic as possible with everything and the only thing I'm avoiding now is soya products based on a thread I read on here the other day.
Take care. X
My oncologist only said a low fat diet but I can eat what I want basically.
So much conflicting info out there about what we should or shouldn't eat. Very confusing.
I'm just doing the best I can. I'm a vegetarian but I like my ice cream and I'm going to eat it!
I think part of the perceived issue with dairy is that we wouldn't think of consuming, say, cat milk or even human breast milk. Why, therefore, do we think it is normal to consume the milk of other species, primarily cows but also sheep and goats? Mostly habit I think. Nature clearly intended this food to be for calves, lambs and kids. Young cows grow very quickly and are very mucusy (is that a word? I mean snotty!). So is this a good food for adult humans? Jane Plant, who survived MBC for 17 years I think, believed that dairy was to be avoided at all costs and drew a parallel between the low rate of breast cancer in Japan and their low/non-existent consumption of dairy products. There have apparently been many studies which seem to show that for all our massive consumption of dairy, we have much higher rates of osteoporosis than the Japanese who apparently derive most of their calcium from plant sources. The process of obtaining dairy is fairly grim too, taking calves from their mothers at a very young age etc etc. However, at this stage of my life I am not about to lay down strict dietary rules. I eat small amounts of good quality cheese when I fancy it, and although I use oat milk in my tea, I certainly won't be refusing an occasional milky or creamy sauce if I'm eating out. Or even an occasional good quality ice-cream. If I'm living on borrowed time, I will eat very healthily for most of the time but I will not deny myself the occasional treat. I think the 80/20 rule applies, for me at least!
I limit my dairy intake the best I can. They have alot hormones and who knows what else they put it on. Those cows are force to get pregnant every year or something like that to produce milk.
So, I stop drink milk 2 years ago. I drink almond milk which have more calcium than regular milk. My bloodwork always show my calcium on 10.2 which is very good! I do take magnesium plant base too. I dont eat any type of meat only fish. My level protein it's good too, so that's show that we dont need meat! I ate lentils, beans, mushrooms, peas, ets.
I am vegan for my health and for the animals so it’s easy for me to be dairy free due to my beliefs. However, there are studies showing that the highest rates of osteoporosis are in the countries that consume the most milk. Before going vegan dairy products were starting to make me feel sick also. It’s also crazy now to me that we drink the milk of another animal.
One of my daughters is vegan and she assured me that she can get her calcium from other sources and she takes a Vit D supplement..however I like milk and will drink some when I want to...same with cheese and butter...
All the best
Barb xx
I should say though I don’t think my diet is strict any longer, I’ve become an excellent cook and can duplicate pretty much any food I miss. Including bacon, ricotta cheese, egg salad etc .
Giving up alcohol was much more difficult!!
Hi there
Not even a cheeky glass of wine?!!
Barb xx
Lol barb no, I’m kind of an all or nothing girl!😂
Good for you! I drink wine maybe once a month. Before cancer I used drink every week. Now I get headache with one glass of wine!!!! So I dont enjoy like before!
I only struggle with alcohol when with visits & occasions where it is flowing. I don't buy it for home use. Supposedly there is research that claims women who drink wine with a breast cancer diagnosis have a poorer survival rate. Perhaps that relates to the strain alcohol puts on the liver... my theory only!!!
My oncologist told me I can have alcohol...obviously she doesn’t mean getting inebriated every night!!!I have mbc for goodness sake...small treats won’t make a difference in the whole scheme of things
Maybe you ladies think I’m being flippant...I’m not...just realistic
I think if stopping eating dairy or alcohol makes you feel more in control then I applaud you
Barb xx
Barb I don’t think you are flippant at all! I really think we all have our own way of dealing with things and have to live our lives according to that.
I know for me feeling the best I possibly can is the most important thing, alcohol doesn’t serve me any longer so I don’t partake. I get a lot of joy out of taking care of myself quite honestly, I love working out and I truly enjoy the way I eat. Now I did find a vegan recipe for chocolate pudding pie and when I feel like making it, I do and I enjoy every bite of it!! 😃
My oncologist said he assumes everybody drinks alcohol and has no issue with it. He believes that eating what we enjoy is the way to live. I eat what I want. I’m going to enjoy life as best I can and not let my disease dictate how I live.
I’m fed up of being told what to do...I shall continue with my normal healthy diet...there’s too much false information out there and it seems that dairy farmers are getting a bad press at the moment...I think it’s fashionable to drink alternative milks...that’s fine..I do myself especially coconut milk but ugh some of the nut milks I find revolting
We should eat and drink what we enjoy
Barb xx
Just recently I finally cut out dairy. Still have some in my fridge & like a bit of parmesan on my broccoli. Cheese & GF pizzas were my hardest fave along with Half & Half with my coffee. I have never reached NED with Ibrance (now in the upper 100s from earlier 1700) and wondered about the dairy. Casein is supposedly the worst ingredient in terms of cancer. High fat dairy trends with breast cancer vs. low fat dairy. In any event less cheese is better for my arteries. I take calcium citrate supplements with Vit. K supps to improve absorption for bone health plus Xgeva shots.
The thing about cancer when older/a senior is that cancer is not the only health issue to think about. I find going GF and eliminating grains entirely help other issues that cause pain besides lowering overall carb intake which is linked to the sugar connection.
I know what you’re saying
It’s easy to get obsessive about every mouthful
Avoiding ready meals I think is a good start..eat fresh homemade food of good quality
Barb xx
Prior to a BC diagnosis in 2011 I went on a strict low/no carb plan to break the sugar addiction. I dropped down to a size four. But I don't advocate this for it makes your body very acidic if not balanced with veggies. I had considerable radiation with extra mammograms around the same time for a cyst in the same spot that later was diagnosed as cancer. Hmmm.
But my point in breaking my sugar addiction... I recall eating a fast food burger w/o the bun and remembering how yummy the plain lettuce tasted. I know sounds weird but w/o all the junk most people eat regularly... taste buds change.
Also some time before my diagnosis I went on an Esther Fast because I was feeling so poorly around the holidays. No food or drink for 72 hours revealed an 'AHA' moment. One's body doesn't crave soda, coffee or any manmade concoction. It craves pure water!!! The result of this fast diected me to an interview & realizedI had a parasite problem. My overall well being improved with cleansing.
I am not diabetic, but for me it's very difficult to stop sugar. I used liquid stevia for my coffee but if I bring something for my daughter there is a temptation for me :-(. I know sugar feed cancer so I wish I can do something to stop my desire to eat sugar!
There’s no evidence that sugar feeds cancer...if you stop sugar your body will convert fat/protein into sugar...all cells need it to function
So don’t obsess over it
Barb xx
Diabetes run in my family too, so I dont want to get another illness. I am hoping cancer will be the only illness I have to fight for the rest of my life.
Greetings: Sister/warrior. Please don't listen to people, especially those on this site who are not experts, and refuse to read accredited studies, and will lead people astray. There are people on this site who know certain foods, and drinks can cause cancer recurrence, or help in the growth of cancer, yet they still eat or drink these items. Do your own research. The studies by accredited hospitals back up similar studies. There are no experts on this site. Be your own advocate. Be your own leader. If you can, get this book from the library" Blood type diet/Body type diet." By Joseph Christiano. You can find the products sold/suggested by the author much cheaper online by other companies. The Oncologist I had years ago said I wouldn't live to see 2009, well still here by Dr. God. Please do your own research yes it is time consuming. The pharmaceutical companies, and any medical facilities out to make money would be happy for you eat, and drink what ever you want, because money is their god. XoXoXo God bless you.
Thanks for the info. I read everything but only do what could be beneficial for me. I know sugar its bad. Actually when the doctor put contrast in our body to find any cancer cell in our body they use sugar or glucose in the contrast. The sugar go straight where the cancer is.....huh..... why??? Bc cancer like sugar but they dont tell that to ppl. I have friend that asked to the doctor and when the doctor respond what I just said he was like omg so sugar have something to deal with cancer if they are using to find it in our body.
I know sugar is not source of energy like someone said. My husband doesn't like sugar, candy or cake. Weird!!!!! And he is the most healthy man that I know. He always have so much energy that drive me crazy!
Years ago I thought I was eating healthy fruits, vegetables, but when I read this book, and removed those few unhealthy items from my diet, for my blood type, and added some beneficial vegetables, fruits, seasonings, condiments, drinks and supplements that are beneficial for my specific blood type. After making this change in what I ingest into my body, I no longer had acid reflux, over weight issues, pre-diabetes. As a matter of fact I had more energy, but I was getting too small, and had to add more beneficial good fats, and increased my calorie intake in my diet. Believe it or not, as per friends/family, I cook healthy delicious gourmet meals, and desserts, using the beneficial items the book suggest. I have had friends ask me to open a healthy food restaurant. I only prepare food for my loved ones on special occasions., and some rare occasions for charities I have a passion for. A restaurant would be a a large scale probably stressful job. Thank God I don't need to work making food, I do it when I want, and I do it for love.
I eat a well rounded diet with meat and fish. I also eat dairy and drink occasional glasses of wine and gin and tonics. My markers have gone in only one direction...down...and my scans are looking good. I’m not sure that what you eat makes a huge difference as long as you eat a generally good diet. And frankly, if depriving myself gives me an extra 3 months, it’s not worth it! I’ve not seen any studies that show a diet of any type increases longevity by enough to make a difference.
I agree with you 100%. We have to put up with the side effects of our meds and treatments. Why make ourselves miserable worrying about every bite we eat.
Everyone its different. I believe my previous way to eat affect my health or made it worse. The truth is that I don't miss meat, cow milk or alcohol than much. My big problem its sugar and that's a big one! When I used to eat meat I was always bloated and cause me alot stomach pain. Also, I have the worst constipation ever! Since I change my diet these issues are over! But that's just my experience.
This last holiday season I decided to throw caution to the wind and indulge in no-no foods & drink. My TMs stopped declining in 2019 & now on the rise. Not really sure it was the holiday cheer but all in all my diet now is better than in 2018. Strangely I always have loved broccoli since my teens but after a cancer Stage 4 crisis in late 2017 & during first year of treatment... I could not eat it. Now I am back to it.
ADVICE ON FOODS TO AVOID ON IBRANCE
Mucousitis or Chemo Mouth! Ugh!
Diet changes and supplements 
Fasting
