I keep reading that the majority of you girls are vegetarian or vegan
I have anaemia and get iron infusions every three months or so...the haem iron in meat is absorbed better than plant iron so I’m happy to eat steak a few times a month
I’ve not seen studies or good evidence that a meat free diet for mbc patients is of great benefit...despite what Kris Car and McLelland suggest
I do eat fruit and veg and lots of bread but I feel I need iron to stay healthy
Just interested in what you all think
Barb xx
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we eat steak 3 times a week and I have a roast on right now. personally, I think beef is good for you. I like mine to say "moo" when I cut into it, that is, RARE. hubby likes his well done. I was surprised to find out that the well done steak actually has MORE iron in it, thought it was the other way around for the longest time! don't remember where I was going with all this but anyway, there you have it <grin>. God bless and heal us all in Jesus name, amen! <3 xo
Hi Barb, I became vegetarian 3 years ago and trying to be vegan last 6 months :). I plan my meals on weekly basis . I cook every day something new something exciting. Have to say I am feeling much better and healthier . I think we should all eat whatever makes us feel better and healthier ❤️
I agree with Sandra. I try to eat grass fed beef only etc and also juice. I don’t know about good quality in England? Is it similar as the US? On another note though I do believe that just like our treatments are individual so are our diets and one size does not fit all. Eat how you feel best is my motto. Of course I’m saying this as I just had a slice of pizza but I’m coming off round 5 of 6 chemo’s for the ovarian cancer and this was a doozy so right now just want to eat what I want and am able to eat.
Meat in England is not the same as in America. British beef is mostly grass fed. The taste is a lot different too (I lived in America for seven years). Like you, I juice. I should do it on a daily basis, but I sometimes feel a bit lazy, like tonight when I asked my husband to make me a juice! I don't like the clean-up!
I hope you are recovering well from treatment for the ovarian cancer. I remember you posted about it recently, but forgot whether it was a new primary or part of your breast cancer. How are you feeling?
The ovarian cancer was brand new. I’m feeling ok this hour but it’s been a rough ride. Thank you. And I know what you mean about the juicing cleanup, the worse! Haha
I am so sorry to hear that you have now ovarian cancer. I must have missed it in some earlier post. I love reading your posts bc alot of times (except for the food part LOL), I agree with everything you say and feel the same way about most of your postings. Boy, you really are a trooper and still manage to maintain your good attitude.
I don't think you need to justify what you eat. You are eating what you feel is beneficial for you personally. We are all different. I can't stand the sight, smell or taste of seafood, so I steer well clear of it. But I do not object to my husband or anyone else eating it and I don't tell them not to eat it. It's their choice, just as it's my choice not to eat it. So I would never feel qualified to tell others what they should and shouldn't eat.
I am not a vegetarian or a vegan, but I have considered cutting out meat altogether. I have never been much of a meat eater, but when I do eat meat I try to buy organic products. Given the choice, I would opt for a vegetarian or vegan meal, but not always. I think it's a good idea to research diet and nutrition and then make up your own mind. I try to be "good" during the week and then on the weekend I let my hair down a bit, although I had an apple crumble and ice cream with my lunch today when my husband and I ate out! Being too strict can be depressing, so I try to cut myself some slack sometimes. I found that when I was being strict a while ago the weight was dropping off me very quickly. So I am trying to be balanced and healthy without turning into a stick insect.
I'm glad I'm not the only one! My mum used to force feed me seafood when I was a child and I was told to eat meat so that I would "grow big and strong" but again, I just didn't really care for meat. I don't crave it like I do vegetables or fruit. I can easily go weeks and not eat meat at all. I find that listening to my body helps. I sometimes find myself craving Brussels sprouts or cauliflower so I think to myself there must be a reason for that. Is that my body's way of telling me I need the extra nutrients?
Strangely I used to eat all seafood when I was a girl as we lived near the coast and my dad used to come home from the fish quay with all kinds of fishy things...one of my early memories is of a big lobster walking across our kitchen floor!!! I supposed I must have eaten some
I agree about listening to your body and mine wants meat at the moment
It's funny how our taste buds can change over time. I used to hate mashed potatoes and would gag if I tried to eat them. I'm still not overly fond of them, but I no longer feel sick if I try to eat mashed potatoes.
Thanks, Barb! Maybe I'm more traumatised by school dinners than I realise! I remember how mashed potatoes would be served up using those metal ice cream scoops.
I just got the results of my bone and CAT scans today snd for three years only taking Letrozole I have no new progression of disease outside my bones. This was s wake up call for me because I feel like I dodged a bullet. I had been very good on my clean eating mostly vegetarian diet and when the holidays came I kept making excuses even after The holidays were over. Now I’m going to go back on eating healthy again because I really do believe that that has a lot to do with my status quo. I know there are many ways to get iron in your diet just google what vegetables has have the most iron in them and also what fish and you can still get away without eating to much meat. I keep telling everybody to buy the book “How Not to Die”by Michael Greger and to read every chapter not just the one on Cancer it might be life-saving but definitely life extending. The other book I highly recommend is “Radical Remission”. A must read for anyone with Stage 4 cancer.
I’ve read ‘Radical remission’ but I’m always so sceptical because there’s no way to prove anything has worked due to whatever that person thinks has worked
I’ll get the other book though and see what they suggest in there
I know there’s iron in other foods like dried fruits greens etc but that sort of iron..non haem...isn’t as well absorbed
I only eat small amounts of meat...maybe once a week
Seville oranges are the ones used to make marmalade...they’re bitter....I read the same thing somewhere about avoiding those but normal oranges are fine...I eat tons of clementines satsumas and lemons
Hi Barb. I love meat, but I don’t eat much of it lately, because of the love of animal thing, farming issues and how that’s affecting our world, and ..... my teeth spaces are getting wider and it always gets stuck. But I do eat it occasionally, and also chicken and fish. But it has to be organic and grass fed as well.
It’s funny how my tastes have changed! Also my mindset, and the whole reasons from being vegetarian or vegan are strong pulls for me. But I love butter, cheese, and bread. Damn it! I wish I loved green vegetables more. But I don’t! I also love soy and bean curd. I often have a veggie stir fry and substitute the meat for soy!
I also love sugar! My friends have tried to get me to stop eating it! And I think it worries my daughter. But hey! 2 years on Ibrance/Letrazole. And still stable. So I know that I want to do two things. Be conscious about where my food comes from, and also enjoy life.
It’s a lovely conversation you have started up here. I wonder if health unlocked would consider doing polls or data sheets!?! Just so we can keep a record of our answers to some of these questions.
Chris.
(In Australia we have both grass fed/organic and bad farming meat available!)
Definitely be conscious of the source of the meat but enjoy your food!!
I love cheese ....anything dairy...probably why I’ve got gallstones
Barb xx
Hi Barb -
Really good question.
I'm vegan pretty much since I was diagnosed, but that's because I'm an animal lover and wanted to finally make this change, which I had considered for years.
I found out afterwards about various studies that indicated and people who had come to believe re: a plant-based diet's positive role in overall health and for cancer, in particular. Importantly, I also found out afterwards that giving up meat is the single best thing most of us can do for the environment (but I drive a gas powered car), not to mention the world's struggle to feed and provide water to all the people (e.g. just think about how much a cow eats over its lifetime to make a few steaks/burgers...all of that cattle food could feed a lot of people! ). So I feel good about being vegan, like others feel good about volunteering, donating, helping neighbors, etc.
I just searched "Does vegan diet help with cancer" and this was the top result:
It seems to be a balanced view from an obviously credible source - Mayo Clinic. I have to admit I semi-scanned, but I think it conclusion is that a plant-based diet ... or a more plant -based diet is ... positive.
I doubt that it's a huge deal, one way or the other, but most of us try out different alternatives, eg. supplements, acupuncture, FIR, that fall into the same category, presumably under the banner of "won't hurt; might help" and maybe will tip the scales for e.g. longer duration of effectiveness for some treatment or whatever. I do think the benefits of a vegan diet are better supported than some of the other things I do...but I still do them all...
In my opinion, if someone enjoys eating meat, even with full knowledge; eat it! If someone has anemia and has concluded that meat is the best / only way to combat that, then of course eat meat.
Again, I don't dig too, too much into the research because I'm vegan for ethical reasons so even if a plant-based diet turned out to be somewhat harmful (slim-to-none on that one...), I'd probably be hard pressed to change my diet. Plus, the change to a vegan diet gave me such a boost in smooth energy that it offset some of the fatigue, for sure. And both of my docs seemed mildly in favor of it.
Oh, one very large study that often comes up....my daughter bought me the book...is The China Study.
I have tried to follow a plant based diet for for the most part since seeing Donald Abrams the integrated oncologist at UCSF a major cancer center. I read quite a bit of research he provided and it convinced me. That there is substantial evidence that this is the best diet for a cancer patient.
He also said to severely restrict sugar and alcohol. Boring as hell.
I am not 100% vegan. I live in San Francisco which is a food town. So my rule is I eat meat out of the house and only if it is grass fed and locally sourced. And then maybe only once every two or three months. Same with dessert.
I eat a lot of dark greens, cruciferous veg like broccoli and mushrooms, especially shiitake. Lots of beans and nuts. Very little dairy, no eggs.
I juice—beet and ginger is a favorite. But try to combine it with a high fiber meal to
Mitigate the sugar spike. And add flax seed to my morning oatmeal.
I feel so much better when I stick to this way of eating. My weight stays consistent as well.
Most of all it feels like something I can control.
Will it change my prognosis? Who knows. But it can’t hurt!
We eat out a lot, so I don't eat healthy like many of you. But tonight I did wash and cut broccoli and cauliflower into florets to broil tommorow night along with some beef and I will fix twice baked potato to go with it. I wish I had the will power and motivation to eat mostly healthy like you folks. When I feel like my blood counts are low, I do pick up a kale, spinach, advacado and fruit smoothie. It makes me better. Keep up the good work. Blessings Hannah
I bake the potato. Then half the potato and scoop insides out when cool. Add some cream or milk and mash. Put mashed potatoes back in each half of potatoes. Top with cheese, bacon bits, and spring onion greens (if you don't have the onions, use parsley or something for a little color. I make it during the day and heat in microwave or oven when ready to serve. You can make a meal out of them by throwing meat in with them. But I plan to use as side tonight. Blessings, Hannah.
At our house we eat meat regularly. I don't think it is the meat that is important. I do think eating a good quality bread is what we need. I get my toast bread for breakfast at a good quality German bakery. Has lots of goodness in it and then buy the best quality rye bread for sandwiches at the grocery store. Also try to eat veggies. Especially those dark green ones. Seems to work for me. I feel good.
That is nice Barb. I do that also. Buy it and put it in the freezer till I need it. Mine has all sorts of nice grains and seeds in it. The bakery calls it Swiss Mountain Bread. Delicious toasted. That is my contribution to healthy eating!
Cheers, June S.
I am the worst person to give advice on this. I hate all vegetables although if I order Chinese food and there is some broccoli in there, then I can tolerate it. I love steak and hamburgers. I take no supplements and I have never juiced in my life. I eat whatever I want. I justify this, of course, by saying I have stage iv, so why deny myself. But I am one of those few people that don't believe what I eat or do not eat is going to change my diagnosis or stop it from spreading quicker.
I am sure when I have my first consult with the cancer nutritionist, she will be horrified by what I eat. I do intend to try and eat a bit healthier, although I cannot tolerate vegetables.
Before my diagnosis, when I was able to walk all the way to Shop Rite (in US a chain of large grocery stores) and back with my wagon, when I used to line up my groceries to be scanned, it was inevitable that the cashier would say "I can tell you have kids." I would look at what I bought and think Wow...it does look like I have young children at home. Two boxes of good humor ice cream bars in my defense, they were on sale), a large package of Reese's peanut butter cups, grape soda and of course my favorite, cereal Fruit Loops cereal, which is basically sugar with some other stuff thrown in. It is not easy to maintain my plus size figure
November 6, 2017. I felt the lump the day before Thanksgiving 2016 but wrote it off tat it was just a small cyst because I had plucked some hairs and forgot about it. Never even crossed my mind that it could be cancer. Then in February in shower, I realized it had gotten a bit bigger. Went and the head nurse said the minute she felt it, she knew it was cancer (I thought it had to hurt). So basically it spread to my lungs and just two CT scans ago, they seen two small holes on my spine. Ibrance only worked for three months but not because of progression. Am now on Verzenio. So they say women usually get breast cancer on the average at age 57. I was 57 when I was told the same day I went to get it checked that it was cancer. That is me Average Annie.
Just started feeling pain in lower back. So now seeing pain specialist at the Cancer Center. But compared to the rest of you ladies, I feel lucky. I had never (and to this day even) spent a night in a hospital and rarely got sick except for a cold. So I never went through chemo, radiation and still have my breast.
So still going strong. Except when I was told it was stage iv they had like four doctors in the room and it never even crossed my mind why and they then they told me it was in my lungs, making it stage iv and that now I would have to go to the cancer center around the corner. I don't cry easily or get overwhelmed. I think they expected I might have some sort of breakdown when told. All I asked was Will I lose weight? They said No, if anything you will probably gain on the meds. I was like damn...not even that for a silver lining.
So even though I smoked all my life since I was 18 and had just started the patch, once they told me I was stage iv, I ripped the patch off and went back to smoking. I said are you sure it is not lung cancer. I was shocked that I did not get lung cancer but got breast cancer that went to my lungs.
Still going strong. I do not deny myself anything anymore (never really did though) LOL
Oh, I should mention I am on Verzenio, falsodex injections and now xyceva injection. I don't take the Verzenio every day. As a test, I stopped taking it two months before my next CT scan (I hate the way it makes me feel). Just wanted to test myself to see if m y cancer would spread or not and I was stable. So I now take it every other day. I tell my onco this and she should I would prefer you to take it every day but I can't force you. So I stopped on my own for two months and that felt good and my CT scan was stable. So now I take it about five days a week (twice a day) but I take two days off per week. I know...but I am nonchalant about it.
I dont like the side effects so I myself two days off or if I have plans, I dont take for that day. I have no idea what my tumor markers are, and never knew. My blood pressure is always normal. My friends are like you don't even take care of yourself and yet you dont get high blood pressure or diabetes or any of that.
My way is not for everyone, but I dont think about it much and am not going to take a med every single day that makes me feel sick or if I have plans, I want to feel good so I wont take it. So far so good. But then again, I am not married, do not have children or any family so I dont have that extra family thing that makes me want to do everything I can to fight this. So since 2017 and still going strong.
I was dx with breast cancer on March 2017. I was 39 years old! Long story short I was stage 2 but past year I have recurrence and spread to my spine and Ia stage 4. I feel good but i got cold several times this year. I dont know if this weather or my immune system suffering due to ibrance.
So sorry. I hate when I see or watch children on TV that get diagnosed with brain tumors or young ladies like yourself who it breast so early. I never married so when I turned 40, I had never really traveled much and remember thinking I better to do it. I had always wanted to go to Africa since I was a kid and watched National Geographic. I was turning 40 and no one I knew wanted to go to Africa or most of them were married so I said the heck with it I will go myself. I had a wonderful time. Best thing is I live in Brooklyn. I traveled 17 hours (one stop in Sweden) to get as far as I could from Brooklyn and from lawyers as I had worked and was working as a legal assistant my whole life.
I was the first one to arrive in Africa. I only knew three other people would be coming on this safari. We flew into Nairobi and from there would be going to Kenya to go on the actual safari. I was the first one to land and saw my guide with my name card. Finally, the other two planes landed.
Would you believe it was two sister from Brooklyn (who lived about 20 minutes) away from me and a lawyer from CA. I flew 1/2 across the world to meet two sisters from Brooklyn and a damn attorney LOL,
I loved adventure trips. I then booked a two week camping expedition in the Amazon (I swore I would die). The humidity was unbearable, the bugs was horrendous, no electricity and a hole for a bathroom. When that was over, I flew to Lima, Peru because I had planned to go to Machu Picchu. When I finally got my hotel room and see a toilet bowl and a bathtub, I actually cried LOL.....
Machu Picchu was unbelievable. It is hard to describe. You are closer to heaven that earth. I then went with a coworker and we Did the Europe Thing. England, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland with Switzerland being my favorite.
I am so glad I did all those things then bc now that would not be possible.
Probably a combination of both. The Ibrance lowers your immune system a bit but even before my cancer diagnosis, I could always count on getting a cold that I would need two or three days off work.
Even when on Ibrance, I still was able to do things. It was my week off that killed me. I could not get out of bed. For everybody it is different.
The ladies on this board and I are rooting for you. Just make sure not to stress too much about the future otherwise you are losing the present moment.
• in reply to
Aamkearns -
Your travels sound AMAZING!! You seem to be a very strong woman with a powerful "life force"! Who knows, that could very well matter more than lots of raw broccoli and juiced kale!
I have 5 years old daughter, so I have to take extreme measure to last longer! I loveeeeee sweet things but I try to avoid them, I dont want to take the chance to get sicker and my daughter will suffer the consequences.
Oh, I would be fighting too. I am anyway, to be here for my 6 yr. old granddaughter. I like my sweets also. However, since the surgeon instructions on going home was to drink lots of water and limit sugar and salt, I have done this. I do feel better probably because I lost 20 lbs. That feels good! I think we all want to help fight the disease.
Oh thank you for that. So funny. Good chuckle. I enjoyed reading your input and can't disagree with your Stage 4 theory. Who is to say you are wrong? We all have different body make ups. I do try to lean into a little healthy eating. And I would never buy boxed cereal or soda! Yikes!! But I am not a cereal eater per se. I love my vegetables so I am lucky. I make a sweet potato casserole (loaded with good things) for family gatherings that everyone loves.
My husband on the other had eats boxed cereal and then puts loads of sugar on top. Eh gads! Makes me shiver. He adds sugar to most things. Even a piece of pie. And he loves ice cream with canned whipped topping piled on. All a regular part of his diet.
I did convince him to give up pop/sodas. So he drinks carbonated water now. He is 85 and thriving. I don't know how! He doesn't have cancer or much else wrong. Go figure. He is a little overweight but not bad. Not fair.
Have you ever tried Oat cakes? They are easy to make. They are an old Scottish biscuit/cookie. Everyone in Eastern Canada makes them. Cape Breton and Nova Scotia. You can make them sweet and have for breakfast (good substitute for boxed cereal) or with a cup of tea/coffee. Or make them less sweet and have them as biscuits with cheese or whatever.
Lots of recipes on the internet. But good nutrition. They are made with Oatmeal of course and you can use the five minute one even though it says use the regular. They are addictive. The oats and brown sugar are great together.
I whip up a batch and instead of using a cookie cutter just press the dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment and score into squares with a knive and they break up nicely when baked.
LOL...if anyone who knew me read your response to me they would be hysterically laughing. EVERYBODY knows I cannot cook. I am like a female bachelor. I have one frying pan and on sauce pan. I do not have a microwave, crock pot. Even for xmas two years ago a friend got me a coffee pot that had like six buttons. I was like too hard for for me and exchanged it for a miniature coffee pot that had one button on and off.
Nobody and I mean nobody I know would eat my cooking. I have thrown up myself. I cant even cook a hamburger patty right. It looks cooked on outside and then its raw on the inside.
Many times I will eat onion rings (fried) for breakfast or the other day I had onion and garlic potato chips for breakfast. I have a I eat what I want when I want it.
And somehow made it to 60. No, I do not cook. I have one knife, three forks and about 20 spoons. I have no glasses and use paper cups.
The way to the man's heart they say is through his stomach. Thus, I am still unmarried at 60 LOL....
I love cake and I love Jello and I put whipped cream on every bite.
I truly think I would get violently ill if made to eat healthy. My body would not stand for it. It is used to having junk food and would not taking kindly to my trying to give it healthy food.
I buy premade food and put in oven. And then come to my computer on facebook, forget I have it in oven (I dont even have a timer) and it is always burnt but I cut off the burnt part and eat what is edible. Somehow I will still here at age 60.
Sounds like you are happy. That is the main thing. Mind you also sounds like you talked yourself out of cooking. I always liked cooking and baking although I am mostly self taught. My very first Lemon Meringue Pie I baked after I was married went in the garbage.
The part I always disliked about the food thing was cleaning up afterwards. I didn't have time either with 3 children to look after. Now it is easy to clean up. I don't make such a mess in the first place! And only cooking for myself basically. Enough. about cooking/baking.
Just one more thought. For the Oat Cakes you only need one pot and a spoon to mix. Press it on a cookie sheet, 1/4 inch thick, (they sell throw away tin foil ones at the grocers) and don't leave the kitchen as they only take 10-12 mins. to bake. Your friends will be impressed and love you. And you would have a nice breakfast. ( My friends don't call me Pollyanna for nothing!)
I promise not to mention cooking/baking again,
Cheers, June S.
• in reply to
What a wonderful reply - you really made me laugh, thank you.
Gosh, I'm loving this thread! Yes, I'm vegan (not about cancer) and yes, I try some pseudo-scientific, probably harebrained things that I know probably don't make a difference, but when people questioned me (including like NURSES! ) about no longer working, I'd say "My JOB now is to be happy!".
So, whatever brings you happiness is what's important!
It is silly to think that eating a certain way can fight cancer. No evidence to that affect that I know. We don't know how much it helps or not helps.
The reason I try to eat healthy, (not that I always succeed) is to try to keep my body strong enough to fight off the affects of the meds they are giving us. At least that is my goal. So each of us does what we thinks works for us. I do drink the occasional glass of wine or have other treats. Hurray!
I just wanted to say I’ve loved reading your posts on this thread. You have a great spirit and many of your comments made me genuinely laugh.
I am like you in that I don’t believe diet caused our cancer (and if it didn’t cause it, it’s not going to cure it either). I didn’t have a perfect diet before my diagnosis, but I did eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and I cooked at home a lot. I was never overweight, but I was near the high end of the healthy BMI for my height just before my diagnosis. And yet, I got stage 4 breast cancer at 38. How odd that before my diagnosis, I never had much of a sweet tooth, but post diagnosis, I crave dessert all the time! I still try to eat healthy, mostly to help my body withstand the treatment, but I let myself enjoy treats more often than I used to.
I sometimes feel guilty that I love to drink, and I worry that it caused my breast cancer. I had a stressful job, and enjoying a cocktail or glass or two of wine after dinner was the only way I could fall asleep. But then I look at all my friends, and they drink way more than me, and thankfully none of them have cancer. And I know women in their 80s who have drank their entire adult lives and never got cancer. So until these scientists can explain why I got breast cancer but others with the same habits did not, I want to tell them they can take their useless research and choke on it. And then I let myself enjoy a glass of whatever because what’s done is done, and life is short so I’m going to try and enjoy it! 🍷 🤗
Hey don’t feel guilty about the drinking...I had initial cancer when I was 40 and continued to drink... then 24 years later I’m metastatic... it’s hormones that fed my cancer...I still drink but much less so
I’m going on a gin night next week with my horsey chums and I’ll definitely indulge but in a ladylike way...no falling out of taxis etc
Live your life and don’t obsess over food/ booze etc
Aww, thank you Barb! Wish we all lived close to each other so we could get together now and then for a drink and some laughs!
And I know it’s useless to worry about drinking now. I have always been a worrier, and cancer has only exacerbated that. A drink tends to relax me, so it’s probably better than teetotalism, in my case!
I also find a drink relaxes me and helps with my pain...I daren’t have too much though because of all the opiates I take....sound like an addict...booze and pills...I can assure you that’s not the case!!
It so true. Just when you think you have something figured out. Along comes evidence that it is not true at all. So we have a way to go yet. Might as well enjoy the ride. By the way I drink occasionally over the last 6
When i was little girl i have anemia and i was eating all type of meat. After, I was dx with cáncer I stop eating meat except fish. I have been vegetariano for 3 years and never have low iron like whe I was little and eat meat. So, it could be something else than cause you low iron.
My liver enzymes get super high when I take Ibrance. Last month I didn't took Ibrance bc I have some issues with my insurance and when I got my blood work my liver was in perfect condition.
Some meds can affect the results of your blood work. Have you always have low iron? Before cancer?
Yes, I have the feeling the meds. I have deficiency of vitamin D due to Xgeva took all my vitamins D! So I was prescribed Vitamin D 50,000 iu weekly. I was very fatigued, tired, respiratory issue, losing my hair more than before and sweating like crazy! They did a blood work and show my vitamin D low and I was taking 5000 iu every day!
They’re horrible I agree....sometimes when I feel awful I feel like ditching the targeted therapy med and just taking the AI inhibitor...which used to be the only available treatment years ago
We’re reminded that the combination of the two drugs prolongs life but if life is unbearable...makes you wonder if it’s worth it
I’m only having a moan because I’ve changed meds and I’m starting to struggle a bit on the highest dose of Afinitor...I was a bit cocky the first 2-3 weeks as I had no mouth sores ( still haven’t) but I’m feeling very weak and a bit down emotionally so I’m going to text my oncologist and request a lowered dose
Spinach is high on iron. I made an omelette with spinach, jalapeno, tomato grape and feta cheese. It's really good. You can also do the omelette with baby kale.
Hi Barb, I think there’s lots of good advice here, but I wanted to throw in my two cents!
Diet for cancer patients, especially breast cancer patients, is confusing at best. I am skeptical when someone is trying to sell a book on diet for cancer patients. I don’t care if they’re an oncologist, they’re still trying to make money off a book. It’s VERY difficult to do studies on diet’s effect on cancer. There are simply too many variables, and they rarely take into consideration cancer genes. For example, if we look at the “blue zones” of the world, where people live the longest, we always assume it’s what they eat. But they also tend to be secluded communities, so their gene pools simply don’t have the cancer genes. And what about their stress levels and activity level, etc.? Diet is only one factor.
My oncology nutritionist has recommended the 80/20 diet to me. Eat for my body 80% of the time, and for my soul the other 20%. I love Indian food, and I started cooking from a vegan Indian cookbook called “Vegan Richa.” I’ve also been adapting favorite recipes to vegetarian or mostly vegetarian. But now and then (maybe two or three times a month), I have a little red meat, ensuring that it’s organic, grass-fed, good quality meat. To be honest, I don’t miss the meat as much as I thought I would, and I enjoy eating my veggie-heavy meals, but I also know that my diet didn’t cause my cancer, and it won’t cure it either, so I manage my expectations. I listen to my body, make sure my plate is at least two thirds full of veggies, and I try to stay active and drink lots of water and reduce my stress levels. I eat a lot of nuts, seeds, and legumes too. And I intermittent fast every day (at least 13-14 hours), which is easy to do and has cut out my evening snacking habit.
I do eat whole food soy, like tofu and edamame. My nutritionist has not been able to find one study where soy, which is controversial for breast cancer patients because of the phytoestrogens, has shown anything but a positive effect for breast cancer patients. There are oncologists on either side of the coin there. And dairy has been demonized as well because of the estrogen, even though studies have shown that breast cancer patients who eat low fat fermented dairy such as yogurt actually live longer than those who don’t. Is it the dairy, or is it because those patients also exercised more or was it just coincidence? It is almost impossible to prove diet’s effect on cancer because scientists cannot ethically control every single thing a subject puts in their mouth, nor can they control all the other factors (exercise, sleep, stress, genes, etc.). And when studies have to rely on subjects’ honesty and good memory to report what they ate and how much, well...I’m sorry but most people overestimate how healthy their eating habits are, so it’s not reliable data when it’s self-reported. And then when you throw treatment into the mix...how can we know if a patient’s cancer improved because of the treatment combo they were on or because of the diet or a combination?
That was long and rambling, but I’ve spent the last eight months reading about cancer and diet, so it’s been on my mind a lot! It sounds to me that you’re listening to what your body needs, and only you can really know what that is, but your eating habits sound perfectly healthy and ideal to me. I hope you can enjoy your meals without any stress or guilt, and just enjoy one of life’s small pleasures, which is to sit down to a nourishing meal with good company. 🤗
You definitely were not rambling...in fact I agree with what you said about the many factors involved...especially the soya debate...it’s never made sense to me especially as the Japanese women hardly suffer with menopause symptoms and have lower breast cancer rates and they eat tofu a lot....but maybe it’s something else they do of which we’re unaware??
Could ponder for ever.
Thanks for an interesting response
I’m not going to go on a guilt trip when I have my steak tonight...I went to a farm shop where their meat is grass fed and locally sourced
I completely agree about Japanese women eating soy and having low rates of breast cancer. I lived and worked in Japan for a year, and I will say that they eat large servings of vegetables and small servings of animal protein, but almost none of them are vegetarian. They do enjoy their desserts and white rice (carbs) too, so I really don’t see how people can connect these things to cancer. And fast food is actually very popular in Japan, including cheeseburgers, french fries, etc. They may not eat it every day, but it’s a fast-paced culture, and shortcuts are made in the meal department.
It’s not to say that diet doesn’t matter, but I think it’s unfair that we get diagnosed with stage IV cancer and then are told by those who don’t have cancer that we should eliminate everything we love from our diets. I’m honestly not sure what I could eat and drink if I listened to all the unsolicited advice I’ve been given by people who’ve never had cancer, only to watch them eat a cheeseburger with no bun, because apparently that’s healthy! [eye roll] I’ve been told to cut out all sugar, carbs, dairy, animal protein, soy, anything with phytoestrogens (which is in MANY healthy fruits and veggies), all oils, etc. What is left, other than leafy greens? Which I love, by the way, but a girl has got to eat more than leaves... And much of the vegan foods is full of processed ingredients, so it’s not always healthier.
I'm currently reading "Cancer Free with Food" - aside from the mass quantities of broccoli etc they suggest, it seems like a balanced approach. I have been juicing since I was diagnosed and trying to eat more greens. Too much info out there - these comments are worth more than any book.
I asked my onc about this and he assured me that I should eat a diet healthy enough to get nutrition, but after that, I shouldn't worry too much about it. If I want cake, eat cake. If I want meat, eat meat. He said that there is no science to back up any claims that meat free, sugar free, flavor free helps. Just to make sure that I'm getting a balanced diet.
I eat an anti-inflammatory diet. No dairy, no gluten, no sugar, no alcohol and no legumes. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, meat and fish and very little and carefully selected grains. My joint pain is gone and I can always tell if I was "bad" and ate something inflammatory. It can be hard to eat out but I was never a big fan anyway.
Barb, I have been a vegetarian for about 35 years. Did not cut out meat due to cancer.
My onc knows I'm vegetarian, although I will eat fish occasionally. My palliative care doc did bloodwork and found I was B12 deficient, which many vegetarians are and I get a B12 shot every month.
I agree that a balanced diet is best, but can't see myself eating meat anymore.
Interesting conversation about food! I’ll just chime in to say that I agree with the moderation crowd. I find I’m not as hungry as I used to be and am less interested in eating out, especially around dinner time. We eat meat most night but I eat much less of it and find my plate is at least 2/3 fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately the Girl Scouts are selling cookies right now. Does anyone need some thin mints? Lol!
OMG...Just read your post. Nobody in this area sells girl scout cookies and most of my friends kids are older now. But one former St. Rose classmate who lives in NJ mentioned on FB her daughter (she adopted her when my friend was older) is selling girl scout cookies. I immediately tagged 8 boxes of thin mints (I freeze them). Unfortunately, as a single woman living alone, they should last a long time, but they won't. It is like Lays potato chips, you can't just eat one. Thin mints are the only ones I buy.
I used to do Weight Watchers in my 30s as they had it at the large law firm I worked for. My friend and I had our own kind of system. If we went to the bar (which we did every Friday) and had screwdrivers to drink, we would count them as a fruit.
If I eat something real fast, I would not write it down in the WW book. If nobody sees you eating something, then it does not count. I lost weight anyway but not enough to win a prize at work LOL
We put ours in the freezer too but they don’t seem to last any longer in there since I like them better that way. I should just eat all four boxes at once and maybe I could cure myself of them...but I don’t think there is any chance of that!
I admit. I put them in the freezer but they dont last long. I live alone so no one to blame but me while all gone. It took alot of work for me to get to this plus size. I had to work hard at it LOL I cant wait to get them.
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I am addicted to chilli heatwave Doritos.
I love your theory that fruit in a cocktail is 1 of your 5 a day - cheers
i believe each person needs to eat the food (diet) that is best for her body; bioindividuality. it's about the quality of the food that is put into the body; food is medicine. for me, i have been "plant based" (labels have evolved) for @35 years. this body does not process 'meat' or dairy well. rather, it accepts veggies, berries, some fruit, nuts, green juice, smoothies.... i still enJOY a treat and do not believe in deprivation.
See my body is the opposite. I am 60 and my body is used to sugar, red meat, loads of salt, McDonalds, cake, pastries, cookies. No vegetables. When I was younger I could not leave the table until I ate my vegetables so I remember thinking to myself once I get older, I will never eat vegetables. And I never do unless some broccoli is mixed in with Chinese Food. I use 1./2 and 1/2. Whole milk. I never buy anything if it says Fat Free bc that means it is going to taste awful.
I even (I know how bad this sounds) put sugar on top of Haagen Daaz vanilla ice cream. I put sugar on top. I did though stop drinking soda and now drink primarily Hawaiian Punch. I maintain a strict loaded with sugar and no nutrients diet.
I used to joke that I only buy food that has loads of preservatives in it with names that I cannot pronounce. It just taste better. Never spent a night in a hospital (not even with the cancer diagnosis). So there is something to be said for just eating what you like (works for me, not for most I know).
i like your honesty... loaded with sugar and no nutrients. sounds like it works for your body.
as a child, i ate some of the foods you refer to. in the teenage years and into young adulthood, i learned the body did not like it, though the mind thought it did. be well!
Please watch what the health. This will help you decide. It is on Netflix
Hi Sandra,
It is completely wrong when people try to shame metastatic breast cancer patients. As you say, none of us deserve this diagnosis and we certainly didn't ask for it. There are times I have felt like telling my oncologist that I don't deserve to be told off if I do something she disagrees with, as it is my life. We deserve compassion and empathy, not accusations.
Sandra, I couldn’t agree more. My husband tells me that people talk to me this way because they are terrified by my story. We had no way of knowing I was high risk for breast cancer, and I was asymptomatic at time of diagnosis (and still am, 10 months in). My diagnostic mammogram showed nothing, even though I had seven tumors in my breasts and one that was palpable. When I tell people this, I see their eyes widen with fear. And we only got a PET/CT scan because I had helped a friend move furniture the day before, and my back hurt a little. My doctors actually rolled their eyes and said I was “clearly not stage 4,” and that they would do the scan simply so I could stop worrying. People want to believe that I was stupid and that I did this to myself, that I missed obvious signs, and that they’ll be smarter and better than me and live forever.
Diets have become really cult-like over the last decade or so, don’t you think? I’m one of the only people in my circle of friends who hasn’t self-diagnosed myself as “gluten-intolerant.” I’ve had IBS since I was 16, and I have to balance natural fiber with easy-to-digest foods like white rice and sourdough bread, otherwise I get sick. You’d think I was shooting up heroin, the way people react when they see me eating some white carbs. So it was really upsetting when I got cancer, as I felt it proved my dieting friends right, even though I know it was just incredibly bad luck.
And alcohol was something that I enjoyed in moderation. It relaxed me, and ALL my friends drink, but they don’t have cancer. I felt so ashamed when my cancer team told me to stop drinking immediately. Once again, it made me feel that I had done this to myself. They told me no more meat, dairy, sugar, or alcohol, then patted me on the back and told me to go enjoy what was left of my life. I feel like they’re being lazy, reading headlines of articles and not even questioning the research. I’ve been so unimpressed with the “progress” made in breast cancer research over the last three decades. Not one oncologist seems to agree with another, and I think it’s wrong for them to tell us to cut out things that we enjoy from our diet when they have not one bit of proof that it will help us live longer. Yet they go on and on about how treatment for MBC is all about ensuring we have good quality of life for as long as possible. Do we have good quality of life if we’re filled with guilt and dread eating because we’ve been made to question everything? I think the women on this forum are better informed than some of these docs who are making six figures. What a strange world we live in...
So sorry you have had such a bad experience. Glad you are at a better place now.
Cheers, June S.
I basically eat what I want lol. It’s my body and I will feed it what it wants. I prefer a veggie burger over hamburger due to the texture. I believe we need a well rounded diet to keep us going. I love sweet things and I will eat them when I have a craving for them. I am meeting with a naturopath next week who believes certain foods and supplements can help cancer patients fight side effects of our disease and our meds. I’m willing to give her a chance and add things to my diet but our loves are limited so much by our MBC that I intend to enjoy the things I like.
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). So I feel good about being vegan, like others feel good about volunteering, donating, helping neighbors, etc. 
Xeloda causing hand redness and extreme tenderness ... playing phone tag with onc's nurse
Diet: anyone completely off sugar?
Adding Herbs to Cancer-Fighting Diet
Fasting
