Nutrition

Perhaps you have been thinking about trying a detox or cleansing diet. Is there any evidence these diets are beneficial? That depends. If weight loss is your goal, a detox diet is not the answer. Studies report that very-low calorie diets work for only 20 percent of participants. Detox diets can also stimulate appetite, reduce metabolism and energy levels, and potentially increase stress hormones -- all of which hinder weight loss.

Instead of focusing on what you shouldn’t eat or foods to avoid, start including more whole grains and legumes in your diet and, in turn, decrease your risk of cancer and improve your health.

Fiber is found in plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils, etc). Fiber is the part of the plant that our bodies CANNOT digest. That means, our bodies don't break down fiber and don't use it for energy or calories.

Being overweight is a very common and very serious health problem in the United States. Individuals with a Body Mass Index of more than 25 are at higher risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and many other diseases.

Supplemental information from the article "Vegetables Pack a Punch," this article offers tips on superfoods such as cauliflower, squash, broccoli and other green, leafy vegetables.

The concept of superfoods is new but gaining momentum: a Google search results in 4.5 million hits. While there isn't a formal definition, it is considered a low-calorie, high-nutrient food rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that promote good health.

The media is ripe with new ways to prevent cancer through "super" foods, but often these recommendations are based on a single promising study and lack sufficient evidence to support the claims with confidence. A recent article in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition released diet recommendations for the prevention of cancer based on a review of many studies.

Eating can be a major issue when you have cancer. Sometimes food doesn't taste good. Sometimes you’re simply not hungry. And, sometimes food makes you feel even sicker than before you ate. Registered dietitians at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center delivered a unique presentation to cancer care providers recently. In addition to offering valuable information on the importance of nutrition during cancer care, our dietitians let them taste for themselves the many different varieties of liquid nutritional supplements available to patients who don't feel much like eating.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role during treatment and recovery of cancer but maintaining a healthy diet can be a challenge. Here are eight ways to take care of yourself and your cancer.

It's a New Year! Why not start the year with lifestyle changes to improve your health during and after cancer treatment? To keep it simple, we created a list: 5 habits to start and 4 to stop. Taking one change at a time will improve your odds for success. Give yourself a month for each goal to allow it to become a habit before trying the next on the list.