Choose Healthy Foods for Cancer. Being aware of what we eat and stepping up nutrition intake are the key aspects of handling any health condition. When it comes to cancer, one needs to focus on increasing immunity to fight against the attacking cancer cell. True to the fact that each individual needs are different, but in general one needs to focus on having high calorie, high protein and antioxidant rich meals with enough of liquids. Pick the best foods for you, and speed up the journey to good health.

1. Unrefined Flours are Your Best Friends : Refined flours add no nutrition. They are devoid of fiber and other key nutrients. Avoid the maida and its products like bread, pasta, noodles, pizza and burger. 

Instead befriend iron rich bajra flour, fiber rich quinoa flour and oats flour, protein rich jowar flour etc. Try the South Indian style Jowar Palak Appe or Gujarati Style Quinoa Red Chawli Leaves Khakhra. 

 

 

 

2. Protein Foods are also a Must : Foods high in protein which can be included by cancer patients include eggs, curd, dals, pulses and sprouts. Don’t miss out on a portion of dal in any one meal – lunch or dinner. Include curd by way of Lauki aur Phudine ka Raita and Strawberry and Black Grape Raita for main meals. Any one meal can also have a subzi made with beans and dals like Suva Moong Dal Subzi and Spinach and Moath Beans Curry. The protein from these foods will help maintain cell health and also develop immune cells to fight cancer cells.

 

 

When it comes to cooking with sprouts, try a tikki like Sprouts Tikki if you wish try a North Indian Snack or go in for Stuffed Moong Sprouts Dosa on days when to enjoy a South Indian fare. For lunch include them by way of a nourishing salad like Roasted Capsicum and Alfalfa Sprouts Salad with Peanut Dressing. 

 

Try and combine a cereal and pulse to create unique fare like Oats, Vegetable and Brown Rice Khichdi or Oats and Moong Dal Dahi Vada. This is considered to be a good quality protein (especially for vegetarians) which is a true protein boost for each and every cell of the body. 

 

 

3. Beautifully Add Veggies to Any Meal You Cook : What do veggies give that nourish your cells? They abound in antioxidants. These are compounds which help our body fight against cancer cells. Most recipes in this section are therefore rich in immunity-helpers like antioxidants. 

There are a number of antioxidants like lutein, indoles, lignans, carotenoids etc. that you can benefit from. Wisely stock up on them by cooking a variety of fare like Nourishing Barley Soup, Broccoli Paratha, Garlicky Lentil and Tomato Soup, Vegan Healthy Lunch Salad, Bajra, Carrot and Onion Uttapa. 

 

 

4. Shop the Colourful Fruits : The best part about the fruits is that they are natural ready-to-eat foods. Just wash and clean them thoroughly and enjoy them. And when there are plenty to choose from why restrict yourself to a few. 

 

 

Try all the different coloured fruits. They too provide a variety of antioxidants… like bromelain from pineapple, lycopene from tomatoes, vitamin C from strawberries, guava and amla, resveratrolfrom black grapes and so on… These key antioxidants by way of Strawberry Black Grape Raita and Pineapple Cucumber Salad will help strengthen your body to fight against the cancer cells and nourish the other cells of your body. 

 

 

5. Focus on Few Healthy Seeds : These include sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds and pumpkin seeds. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds contain good amounts of B – vitamins which help in synthesizing energy in the body. On the other hand flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which help reduce the inflammation in the body. These seeds have also been known to reduce the growth of cancer cells. 

Introduce these seeds to your diet by way of regular meals. You need not cook separate meals with these seeds. Just sprinkle a few seeds on top of roti while rolling to make something simple and wholesome like Oats Flax seeds Roti. We have creatively used them to make Flax Seed Shakarpara and Nutritious Vegetable Salad (this salad makes use of sunflower seeds). 

 

 

6. Benefit from the Wonder Nuts too : Almonds and walnuts top this category. Rich in protein they help support cell growth and maintenance. 

 

 

7. Concentrate on MCT : Opt for ghee or coconut oil. These are medium chain triglycerides (MCT) which are easier to digest and do not lead to deposition of fat in the body. 

 

8. Sip on Lukewarm Lemon Water Daily in the Morning : This helps in detoxifying the body. Want to know the recipe? Check out Lemon Honey Water.

 

 

9. Reach Out for One Dish Meals : These can help nourish your cells. One dish meal is a good idea to stock up on all nutrients at one go. This is especially good for those undergoing chemotherapy or overcome the problem of low appetite. Masoor Dal and Palak Khichdi, Mooli Jowar Roti with a bowl of Curd, Paneer Tamatar Paratha and many more…

 

 

10. Have Enough Liquids Through the Day : Sip on water throughout the day. Have at least 2 to 3 liters of water daily. Rely on healthy smoothies too for liquid intake. They are the best to bank on during cancer, especially for those who have low appetite, nausea or mouth sores. Some healthy smoothie options are Papaya Mango Smoothie, Blueberry Orange and Yoghurt Smoothie and Oats Apple Almond Milk Healthy Smoothie are a few hand-picked options just for you. All you need to remember is to avoid the addition of sugar to these smoothies. Use naturally sweet fruits or add a tsp of honey if you wish to. 

 

This section is divided into various categories, focusing on the meals of each day as well as on specific ailments and conditions related to cancer. 

 

Enjoy our Recipes for cancer patients,  Healthy Veg Recipes for Cancer Patients and other cancer recipe articles below.