The South Beach Diet helps improve your overall health and that includes reducing your risk of cancer. In addition to a regular exercise regimen, the American Cancer Society recommends a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein — exactly what the South Beach Diet encourages. Here are some lifestyle changes you can make today to help lower your risk of developing cancer in the future:

• Quit smoking.
• Limit or 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 with trans fats.
  
• Watch out for saturated fats — steer clear of fatty meats, remove the skin from poultry, choose fat-free or reduced-fat cheeses, and go for low- or nonfat dairy.
  
• Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from sunflower seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds, and in their oils, and in fish (particularly oily fish like 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 lower your risk of developing many kinds of cancer. 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.

See all South Beach Diet Tips