8 Misguided Dietary Recommendations Thought to Reduce Cancer Risk and the Facts

Misinformation circulates about many foods said to prevent cancer or help treat it. Many people believe these claims, thinking they will help against diseases such as cancer. Let us examine misconceptions and facts about the dietary approach considered most effective for weight control and cancer prevention.

Claim 1: Fruit and Vegetable Juice Detoxes Are Very Beneficial

Fact : Your body naturally eliminates toxins that could harm your health. Drinking only fruit and vegetable juices may cause headaches, low energy and nausea. Continuing juice detoxes for too long may be dangerous to health. In addition, separating the pulp (fiber) and juice of fruits and vegetables reduces their nutritional value. A fiber-rich diet is important for reducing various cancer risks, and eating fruits and vegetables whole is the healthy choice.

Claim 2: Eating “Superfoods” Prevents Cancer

Fact : Overloading on particular foods thought to be superfoods is ineffective for disease prevention and may instead be harmful. You can reduce cancer risk by adding different foods to your diet in a healthy, balanced way. As an example of healthy, balanced eating, your diet should contain vegetables, fruits, grains, yogurt-kefir, dried legumes and the full variety of such foods.

• Why are whole grains essential for healthy living?

Claim 3 : Eggs Are Unhealthy

Fact : Although eggs are high in cholesterol, dietary cholesterol has very little effect on blood cholesterol. It is blood cholesterol that causes health problems. Eggs are actually healthy foods. They are a good source of choline for memory and brain function and contain omega-3 fats that may help reduce chronic inflammation.

• The benefits and nutritional value of eggs

Claim 4 : Eating Late at Night Definitely Causes Weight Gain

Fact : The time of day you eat has little connection with your weight. Whether you eat before noon or late in the evening, the calories you consume and your activity level are more important than when you eat. If you are inactive, you may gain weight even without eating at night. On the other hand, regular exercise and consuming few calories during the day mean that evening snacks will not make a person overweight. In other words, what matters is total energy/calorie intake.

Claim 5 : You Should Remove Fatty Foods from Your Diet

Fact : Although fat has twice the calories of carbohydrates or proteins, it helps you feel full for longer and reduces the desire to eat junk food. Consuming healthy fats in moderation is also necessary for the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. You can add fats such as avocado, olive oil, hazelnut oil and goose fat to your diet.

Because excess calories from carbohydrates, proteins or fats are stored as fat in the body, consuming small amounts and staying active are important.

Today, “You can consume as much healthy fat (such as olive oil) as you want; there is no problem” is another statement we hear. Even too much water is harmful , as almost everyone knows. Anyone with a little knowledge of biology can work out that consuming unlimited amounts of fat, even a healthy kind, will be harmful and cause weight gain. We truly struggle to understand the purpose of this excessive claim.

• What is healthy fat? Could goose fat be the healthiest animal fat?

Claim 6: Frozen Foods Are Not Healthy

Fact : Frozen foods are healthy too, and some frozen products may even be as nutritious as fresh ones. For example, fresh vegetables begin to lose nutritional value shortly after harvesting, while frozen products are an excellent health option at certain times of the year. Eating foods in season is, of course, also healthy.

Claim 7: If You Exercise, You Can Eat Whatever You Want

Fact : Exercise alone cannot provide benefits in preventing cancer or controlling weight. Exercise can help you balance calories consumed with calories burned, so you need to eat a balanced diet. By both exercising and eating healthily, you can lose weight in a healthy way and thereby reduce your cancer risk.

Claim 8: Do Not Consume Sugar/Carbohydrates

Fact : Your body needs energy-providing foods to stay healthy. You need to choose carbohydrate sources wisely among energy-providing foods. For example, obtain the carbohydrates you need from foods such as brown rice, oats, wholemeal bread, potatoes, fresh corn and peas. Limit refined carbohydrates such as white bread and sweets. Foods high in carbohydrates are recommended to occupy no more than one-quarter of your plate.

Along with these food facts, it is useful to learn how to follow a healthy, balanced diet. During cancer treatment, ask your doctor which foods you should avoid.