For breast cancer awareness month, we asked a few of our health coaches to share the ways they take a stand against this disease. Read on for their recommended cancer-fighting recipes, inspirational reads, and more.
Start with this souper easy recipe
Boost your immunity with this easy, adaptable, and slurp-worthy soup recipe recommendation from Dorothy Dolan, RN, a registered nurse and certified health coach at Vori Health.
Why Dorothy recommends it:
“This is one of my favorite recipes because it incorporates so many nutrients in one dish. It’s great for fall, easy to throw together, and you can make it your own by adding chicken for more protein, or even kale. It’s filling, too, and easy to freeze and pull out for a quick meal.”
Key cancer-fighting ingredients:
This soup is brimming with nutrition, but a few ingredients add an extra dash to its cancer-fighting edge, like:
- Broccoli & cabbage: With each crunchy bite, studies show these cruciferous vegetables help prevent breast cancer. Cruciferous veggies (other examples include kale and collard greens) are rich in antioxidants such as isothiocyanates, which research suggests are the likely source of this food group’s anti-cancer super powers (Shapira, 2017).
- Onions & garlic: Research also shows that regular consumption of these alliums—which are packed with both flavor and anti-cancer compounds like flavonols—can help keep cancer at bay (Desai, 2020).
A sweet treat for healing
To support someone you know undergoing cancer treatment, try these DIY popsicles, which come highly recommended by Nicole Piotrowski, RN, a registered nurse and certified health coach at Vori Health. (They double as a great treat to up your whole family’s fruit intake, too.)
Why Nicole recommends it:
“If you have a loved one going through chemotherapy, popsicles are key. They are usually offered in treatment clinics, but often have sugar or artificial sweeteners, which may cause inflammation. This DIY recipe makes it easy to make your own healthier version.”
How to make a DIY popsicle
- Buy a popsicle mold (online or at a store).
- Add your frozen fruit of choice and water to a blender (bonus points for adding the cancer-fighting options below!).
- Blend to a smoothie consistency, freeze in the mold for 12 hours, and enjoy!
Key-cancer fighting fruits to try
- Berries: Studies show these antioxidant-filled fruits help prevent cancer; blueberries, in particular, may play a significant role in lowering the risk of certain types of breast cancer (Fung, 2013).
- Citrus fruits: In addition to packing a tangy punch, research shows these citrus fruits are also cancer protective, thanks to several immune-boosting compounds including vitamin C, folate, and flavonoids (Song, 2013).
Inspiring reads and podcasts for healing
For anyone looking for perspective on the path to healing, Nisha Kikunga, RN, a registered nurse and certified health coach at Vori Health does not hesitate to recommend these books and podcasts.
Why Nisha recommends these:
“These books and podcasts each touch on a specific area of healing and treatment. The podcasts are especially helpful because most often the information shared is current and evidenced-based.”
Books:
Eat to Beat Disease by William Li, MD
Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber MD, PhD
How to Starve Cancer by Jane McLelland
Radical Remission by Kelly Turner, PhD
Daring Greatly by Brene’ Brown, PhD
Podcasts:
The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman, MD
Your Longevity Blueprint with Stephanie Gray
Dr. Berkson’s Best Health Radio
Unlocking Us with Brene’ Brown, PhD
How do you take a stand?
From getting a better night’s sleep to cutting down your daily stress, talk with a Care Team and discover more ways to lower your cancer risk and support your health.
