Cancer Nutrition Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about food’s role in cancer care.

Healthy nutrition is a critical part of the successful treatment of cancer. Below, we answer some of the questions patients ask us most often about how nutrition factors into their cancer care.

To book an appointment with our registered dietitian, or for more information, call 617-831-7430.

Questions and Answers About Cancer Nutrition

How Will Good Nutrition Help Me During Cancer Treatment?

Eating well and maintaining good nutrition before, during, and after cancer treatment can help you maintain strength and energy while you go through treatment. A healthy diet also can help you better deal with any side effects you might experience from treatment.

After you complete treatment, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet will help you stay healthy.

How Does My Dietitian Assist in My Care?

Our dietitian works with you to optimize your diet and provides one-on-one counseling to address your unique nutritional needs, depending on the stage of your cancer and the treatment you’re receiving.

The dietitian works closely with your doctors and other members of your cancer care team and is available for individual appointments with you, your loved ones, and caretakers to provide diet education and ongoing support.

Does High Sugar Intake Increase My Risk of Cancer?

Sugar intake isn’t directly linked to an increased cancer risk. However, diets high in sugar often contain lower amounts of nutritious foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. High-sugar diets also increase your risk of being overweight and having higher levels of insulin production, which can increase your risk for diabetes.

You can improve your general health by increasing your intake of nutritious foods and decreasing the amount of sugar in your diet from foods such as:

• Cookies
• Candy
• Cakes
• Soda and other high-sugar beverages
• Some cereals

Does Aspartame Cause Cancer?

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. It’s found in many “low-sugar” or “diet” products. No research currently shows evidence that connects aspartame with an increased risk of cancer.

Will I Lower My Risk of Cancer if I Eat More Fruits and Vegetables?

Many studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of certain types of cancer, particularly:

• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Oral cancer
• Stomach cancer

Many nutritional components of fruits and vegetables work to protect against cancer. However, researchers haven’t been able to pinpoint which particular nutrients in fruits and vegetables are linked to this reduction of cancer risk.

Under the current nutritional recommendations, you should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. It’s best to choose from many varieties of types and colors of fruits and vegetables, since different colors and varieties contain different nutrients needed as part of a healthy diet.

Are Organic Foods Better Than Conventional Foods for Reducing Cancer Risk?

It’s important to note that the majority of studies that have examined the benefits of eating organic food have been small and only involved a few foods. The possible benefits of an organic diet include:

• Less exposure to pesticides and hormones
• More vitamins, minerals, and nutrients than conventional foods
• Satisfaction from knowing most organic foods are produced in an environmentally friendly way

However, there are downsides to an organic diet as well. Organic foods tend to be more expensive than conventional foods. Also, organic foods have a potentially higher rate of spoilage, although this is a controversial point.

The bottom line is that you shouldn’t feel like you’re compromising your health if you don’t eat an all-organic diet. Countless studies have shown that eating a plant-based diet is important in reducing the risk of cancer, whether that diet is organic or not. Research also shows that your exposure to pesticides in conventional foods is small and doesn’t outweigh the benefits of eating non-organic foods.

What Is a Plant-Based Diet?

A plant-based diet emphasizes the following foods:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Legumes, such as beans and peas
• Nuts and seeds

Current guidelines from the American Institute for Cancer Research state that two-thirds of your plate at each meal should be filled with plant-based foods, while the remaining one-third is left for animal proteins, such as meat and dairy products. In addition to exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake, eating a plant-based diet can help reduce your risk of cancer and many other health problems.

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are phytochemicals, vitamins, and other nutrients that protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are products of your normal metabolism, but you also can be exposed to them through smoking and being around environmental toxins or pollution. The damage caused by free radicals can lead to cancer and other diseases.

You can increase your antioxidant levels by increasing your intake of these foods:

• Beans
• Flaxseed
• Fruits
• Green tea
• Nuts
• Soy
• Spices
• Vegetables
• Whole grains

What Are Phytochemicals?

Phytochemicals are plant compounds that are thought to promote the growth of healthy body tissue and protect against disease. We know of thousands of phytochemicals, including:

• Beta carotene
• Isoflavones
• Lutein
• Lycopene

Colorful fruits and vegetables are rich in phytochemicals. You should eat at least five servings of a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables every day in order to maximize your phytochemical intake.