Nutrition, Exercise, and Cancer Prevention

You may know that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, but how do you know exactly which foods to eat and which exercises to do? MD Anderson Cancer Center has a grocery list of cancer-fighting foods to help you get started. A good rule of thumb is to make fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains the biggest part of every meal. Remember, the brighter the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more vitamin and nutrient-packed the item is.

Your eating schedule is also important. Eating breakfast helps kick-start your metabolism and can help you make healthier choices all day long. Eating every few hours helps refuel your body, stabilize blood sugar levels, and promote a healthy metabolism. Pack healthy snacks such as an apple and peanut butter, hummus and veggies, or yogurt with fruit.

The American Cancer Society recommends daily physical activity in order to maintain a healthy weight and prevent cancer. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Spreading out this activity can be just as effective as completing it all at once. Participating in physical activity, no matter what level it is, provides many health benefits.

Tags: , , ,