Grocery Guide To Cancer Prevention

Did you know that researchers and physicians agree that Americans could prevent up to one-third of all cancers in the United States through healthy diet and regular exercise? Read more about how your Hy-Vee dietitians can shape up your shopping list to help prevent cancer.

The attached cancer prevention shopping list is based on the American Cancer Society’s new guidelines, American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention Reducing the Risk of Cancer With Healthy Food Choices and Physical Activity, which emphasizes healthy diet and exercise. The four components of cancer prevention, as reported by the American Cancer Society, are:

1. Choose most of the foods you eat from plant sources. How? Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eat other foods from plant sources, such as breads, cereals, grain products, rice, pasta or beans several times each day. Why? Plant sources include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods contain fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals that can help promote good health.
2. Limit your intake of high-fat foods, particularly from animal sources. How? Choose foods low in fat. Limit consumption of meats, especially high-fat meats. Why? Diets high in fat can increase your risk of cancer - especially endometrium, rectum, prostate and colon.
3. Be physically active: achieve and maintain a healthy weight. How? Be at least moderately active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week. Stay within your healthy weight range. Why? Physical activity not only helps to move the food you eat through your digestive tract, it helps to maintain your weight and improves your overall health.
4. Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages, if you drink at all. How? Drink in moderation - save alcoholic beverages for special occasions and celebrations. Don’t drink daily. Why? The consumption of alcohol has been linked to cancers of the mouth, esophagus, larynx and breast.

Source: American Cancer Society

Hy-Vee Cancer Prevention Shopping List

The Hy-Vee dietitians recommend reaching for the following cancer-fighting foods on your next trip to Hy-Vee. These foods are high in the fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals that the American Cancer Society recommends.

NOTE: Researchers agree that there isn’t one single element in one particular food that can protect you from cancer. Eating a variety of foods is your best defense against disease. For more information on how the above foods may help protect you against cancer, contact your Hy-Vee dietitians.

For more information on cancer prevention: American Cancer Society: 800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org National Cancer Institute: 800-4-CANCER or www.nci.nih.gov/ American Dietetic Associaiton: 800-366-1655 or www.eatright.org

Cancer Prevention Recipe: Fresh Citrus Salsa

This recipe contains four different types of antioxidants – each one protects against different cancers. For a bigger antioxidant boost, pair with colorful fruits, whole grains or lean meats.

Fresh Citrus Salsa
Serves 20 (1/4-cup servings)

All You Need:

• 3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 2 navel oranges, peeled, sectioned and chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp Hy-Vee light Italian dressing
• Hy-Vee salt and Hy-Vee black pepper to taste

All You Do:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients.
2. Serve with whole grain chips or whole grain crackers if desired.

Source: Hy-Vee Test Kitchen

This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.