The South Beach Diet helps improve your overall health, and that includes reducing your risk of cancer. Eating a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, along with lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy are guidelines we recommend that mirror those established by the American Cancer Society. Here are some other lifestyle changes you can make today to help lower your risk of developing cancer in the future:
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid fried foods.
- Choose products made with whole grains over refined-flour products.
- Eat more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and bok choy.
- Cut down on sweets.
- Avoid processed foods that contain trans fats.
- Watch out for saturated fats — steer clear of fatty meats, remove the skin from poultry, and choose fat-free or reduced-fat cheeses and other low-fat dairy products.
- Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from plant and animal sources, including avocado, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and oily cold-water fish (such as salmon and herring).
- Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages to no more than one drink a day if you’re a woman or two if you’re a man.
- Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
Taking control of your health by following these suggestions will help reduce your risk of developing many kinds of cancer. That said, some people are genetically predisposed to cancer because of family history or environmental influences. If you think you may be at high risk for cancer, consult with your physician about screenings and other preventive measures.
