Diet and Nutrition Archives | Page 3 of 4 | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

What Should I Eat If I Have Stomach Cancer?

by Dana-Farber Staff

Stomach cancer treatment, which may include surgery to remove some or all of the stomach, often affects patients’ appetites and the way they digest food. Many patients may experience a poor appetite, weight loss, stomach pain, and feeling full early, which can make it difficult to adhere to their regular diet. Below, Dana-Farber nutritionists offer … Read more

What Do Nutritionists Eat on Thanksgiving?

by Dana-Farber Staff

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which for many means a meal of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more. It is important to enjoy this time with your family, but you can still stay on a healthy track while enjoying your favorite foods. Dana-Farber nutritionists share what they cook at Thanksgiving to put a healthy spin on … Read more

What Do Dana-Farber Nutritionists Eat?

by Dana-Farber Staff

Dana-Farber nutritionists help patients create and maintain healthy diets for all stages of treatment. They can provide meal plans, advice for managing treatment side effects, and tips for post-treatment wellness. But have you ever wondered what nutritionists like to eat? Here, Dana-Farber nutritionists share five of their favorite healthy breakfasts: 1.Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich Stacy Kennedy, … Read more

Can Vitamin D Reduce Cancer Risk?

by Dana-Farber Staff

Scientific evidence that vitamin D can help lower the risk of cancer development, as well as the risk of metastasis or recurrence, has been mixed. But several new studies point toward such a connection for certain cancers. Numerous population-tracking studies over the years have shown that higher intake or blood levels of vitamin D are … Read more

What Is the Best Diet for Someone with Oral Cancer?

by Dana-Farber Staff

Side effects from oral cancer and its treatment can make it challenging to eat essential nutrients that can maintain strength and support recovery. Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, a senior nutritionist at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, shares strategies for reaching your nutritional goals: Eat small meals often Have six to eight small meals or snacks … Read more

Cancer Conversations Podcast – Episode #8: The Best Foods and Diet for Cancer Treatment and Survivorship

by Dana-Farber Staff

Good nutrition plays a key role in cancer prevention and survivorship. With the right pantry items, patients can help manage side effects of treatment and potentially lower risk of recurrence. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Dana-Farber nutritionist Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, discusses the best diet for cancer patients, as well as tips for … Read more

Can Detoxing Regimens and ‘Cleanses’ Fight Cancer?

by Dana-Farber Staff

If you type “detox and cancer” into an Internet search engine, you’ll get an avalanche of websites, articles, products, patient testimonials, and practitioners claiming that cancer can be prevented or even cured by diets or “cleanses” that rid the body of “toxins.” Are these approaches safe? Are they effective? It’s not necessarily as straightforward as … Read more

What Can I Eat if I Have Colorectal Cancer?

by Dana-Farber Staff

Medically reviewed by Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD Colorectal cancer and its treatments can often impact the way the body digests foods, fluids and absorbs nutrients. For patients and survivors, incorporating healthy, plant-based foods and lean protein into your diet can help your body stay strong and nourished during and after treatment. Many of the side … Read more

The Best Foods for a Cancer Patient’s Pantry [Infographic]

by Dana-Farber Staff

A pantry stocked with healthy food is an important part of a cancer patient’s treatment; with the right foods, patients can strengthen their immune system, reduce side effects of treatment, and potentially lower risk of recurrence. But which foods are best? Patients should stick to a plant-based diet filled with lots of bright vegetables. Whole … Read more

How Does Alcohol Cause Cancer?

by Dana-Farber Staff

This blog post was originally published on the Cancer Research UK science blog. It is reposted here with minor edits. In a cabinet in London’s British Museum nestles a 5,300 year-old wedged-shaped tablet called a cuneiform. On its surface is scrawled one of the earliest forms of written language in the world. And it’s a … Read more

Grass-Fed Beef and Wild Fish: Hype or Healthy Choices?

by Dana-Farber Staff

By Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO Do you feel confused, overwhelmed or downright frustrated by the trendy marketing terms used to sell food? You’re not alone! Let’s break down the science, evidence and current recommendations surrounding claims for beef and fish. The most recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) says to limit intake … Read more

What Should I Eat During Cancer Treatment?

by Dana-Farber Staff

When going through cancer treatment, deciding what to eat can be confusing. For patients with cancer and particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, eating healthy can be key to managing energy levels, immune function, and overall health. It is important to eat a well balanced diet and follow the healthy eating plate proposed by Harvard School of … Read more

Cancer and Alcohol: What You Should Know

by Dana-Farber Staff

Several studies have linked alcohol consumption to a higher risk of many cancers, including breast, mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, and colon and rectum. The risk rises with the amount of alcohol consumed. The type of beverage doesn’t matter – the culprit is the alcohol itself. Breast cancer and alcohol Many studies have specifically linked alcohol … Read more

Can Drinking Coffee Affect Colon Cancer Progression or Survival?

by Dana-Farber Staff

Drinking coffee continues to be associated with improved outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer, although a cause-and-effect relationship remains unproven. Previously, coffee-drinking patients with colorectal cancer classified as stage 3 — affecting lymph nodes but not spread to other organs — had been shown to have a lower risk of cancer recurrence and death than … Read more

What Is the Link Between Diet and Melanoma?

by Dana-Farber Staff

By Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD When it comes to sun safety, lathering on sunscreen, sporting broad-brimmed hats and staying in the shade surely come to mind. But diet and melanoma may also be linked. Here is some information on the emerging research around obesity, antioxidant intake, vitamin D and other potential nutrition-related links to melanoma. … Read more

Does Sugar Cause Cancer?

by Dana-Farber Staff

By Mae Reilly, MS, RD, LDN, senior clinical nutritionist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute “Does sugar feed cancer?” is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive as oncology dietitians. Researchers continue to investigate the relationship between sugar intake and cancer; meanwhile, there are steps you can take to avoid any potential harm that sugar … Read more

The Best Foods and Diet for Cancer Treatment and Survivorship

by Dana-Farber Staff

Regardless of diagnosis, nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment. Foods and diet can help maintain overall health, control side effects, and sometimes prevent future medical problems. “Good nutrition plays a key role in cancer prevention as well as survivorship,” says Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, a nutritionist with Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. … Read more

Ask the Expert: Q&A on Breast Cancer, Exercise and Diet

by Dana-Farber Staff

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jennifer Ligibel, MD, recently partnered with CancerConnect to answer questions about breast cancer, exercise and diet. Ligibel is an oncologist with the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber. Q: I am currently on maintenance treatment for breast cancer and I need to lose weight. Do you have any tips … Read more

Debunking Common Nutrition Myths

by Dana-Farber Staff

For cancer patients, a healthy, balanced diet is important for managing symptoms and promoting survivorship and overall wellness. But in a world where it’s nearly impossible to tell one fad diet from the next, it can be difficult to determine which foods are actually good for you. Below, we debunking some of the common myths … Read more

Can Drinking Increase Risk of Malignant Melanoma?

by Dana-Farber Staff

It’s well known that excessive sunning and sunburns can foment the development of malignant melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer. Now, in a preliminary study, scientists have suggested that drinking alcohol may be an added risk factor for the disease.