You are what you eat

Today we look at eating a healthy diet.

It is important to remember that diet and proper nutrition are vital tools in the fight against colorectal cancer. Cancer Care Ontario supports eating a healthy diet for both prevention and treatment.

In general, dietary recommendations include consuming less saturated fat and salt and eating a variety of colourful fruits, and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Here are some healthy eating tips to get you started:

• Eat plenty of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables
• Eat fresh fish 1-3 times per week
• Limit consumption of red meat
• Choose beans, lentils and soy as meat alternatives
• Avoid excess salt and saturated fats
• Choose grain products that are low in fat, sugar and salt
• Choose low fat milk or milk products
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Drink plenty of water

We challenge you to keep a food journal and track your eating habits. Remember that embracing healthy eating habits can allow you to take colorectal cancer prevention into your own hands.