About this topic
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. You are at a higher risk if you are a man and: � �
- Are 50 or more years old
- Have a family history of prostate cancer
- Are overweight
- Eat a high fat diet
What will the results be?
With this food plan you may lower your risk of prostate cancer. The food you eat can also have an effect on your survival outcomes. Be sure to talk with your doctor before you start any kind of diet. � �
What lifestyle changes are needed?
If you are overweight, your doctor may want you to lose weight. A healthy weight loss goal is 1 to 2 pounds per week. It takes 3500 calories to lose 1 pound. That means cutting out 500 calories each day for 7 days. To do this, you may want to eat less. You can also exercise to use more calories. Some people do both to try and lose weight. You can lose these 500 calories per day by eating fewer calories, by burning them through exercise, or both. � �
Examples of easy ways to cut calories: � �
- Choose baked versions of snacks
- Choose spray butter with zero calories over real butter or margarine
- Choose nonfat milk products over higher fat
- Eat smaller portions
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Drink more water, less juice and soda
Will physical activity be limited?
Being active and exercising is good for your health. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. � �
When is this diet used?
Your doctor may suggest this diet if you are at risk for getting prostate cancer. It is also helpful for those who have a diagnosis of prostate cancer. � �
Your doctor may suggest a few things if you have prostate cancer. These are important when you are going through treatment. � �
- Drink lots of fluids. Try to drink at least 8 cups each day. Make 4 of these cups water
- Keep a healthy weight through treatment. Eat 3 balanced meals a day. You may also want to eat healthy, high protein snacks between meals.
- Take a multivitamin each day. It should have no more than 100% of your daily needs in the vitamin.
What foods are good to eat?
When you are trying to prevent prostate cancer or a recurrence: � �
- Vegetables and fruits are full of antioxidants and vitamins. The antioxidants help protect your body against cancer. Try to get at least 5 or more servings of different fruits and vegetables each day. A serving size for a fruit or vegetable is equal to 1/2 cup. A single piece of fruit, like an apple or an orange, counts as one serving. Greens, like spinach or lettuce, have a serving size equal to 1 cup. Aim to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Good fruits to eat are blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Red delicious and Granny Smith apples, sweet cherries, red grapes, and plums are also good to eat.
- Dark, green leafy vegetables are good for you to eat. These are spinach, kale, collard greens, and turnip greens. Red beans, kidney beans, and black beans are also high in antioxidants.
- Brussel sprouts, radishes, cabbage, bokchoy, cauliflower, and broccoli are other good vegetables.
- Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant. Good sources of vitamin C are kiwi, oranges, cantaloupe, guava, brussel sprouts, and red and green sweet peppers.
- Choose lean sources of protein. You may want to eat the white meat of chicken or turkey without the skin. Fish like salmon, mackerel, and trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Try to add 3.5 ounces of fish into your diet 2 to 3 times each week. Other good sources of protein are beans, soy, walnuts, and almonds. Try to eat protein with every meal. Protein helps make new cells. This may help you heal.
- Dietary fiber may help reduce cancer risk. Fiber is very good for colon health.
- Try to eat 25 to 38 grams of fiber each day. Ages 50 or over should aim for 25 to 30 grams each day.
- Read food labels to see how much fiber you are getting in your foods. Switch to whole grain products. Try legumes like beans, peas, and lentils. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also good sources of fiber.
- Choose soy milk or skim milk to replace whole and 2% milk.
What foods should be limited or avoided?
- Limit the amount of animal fat in your diet. This means to eat red meat less often. High fat meats increase your risk factors for cancer.
- Eat less high fat dairy products like butter, milk, and cheese.
- Avoid trans fatty acids. This means you will need to limit fried foods and some commercially-baked foods.
- Stay away from fast foods.
- If your goal includes losing weight, stay away from foods high in processed sugars. These include foods such as candies, ice cream, table sugar, and high-fructose corn syrup in sodas and juice drinks.
Will there be any other care needed?
Your doctor may also treat prostate cancer with drugs or radiation. See your doctor for any other care that may be needed. � �
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Some nutrients found in foods may help lower your risk of prostate cancer. It is better to get these from the food you eat, rather than from taking a pill. Lycopene is found in foods like tomatoes and tomato products. It can also be found in watermelon, pink grapefruit, and papaya.
- Routine physical activity and keeping a normal weight can help to lower your risk.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
- Fever of 100.4 � �F (38 � �C) or higher, chills
- Feeling weak
- Fast heartbeat
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- When you go to the grocery, have a list or a meal plan. Do not shop when you are hungry to avoid cravings for foods.
- Read food labels with care. They will show you what is included in a serving. This amount is given as a percentage of the total amount you need each day. A "good source " � of an item is 10% to 19%. An "excellent source " � is more than 20%. Reading the labels will help you make healthy food choices. Talk to your dietitian if you need help learning how to read a food label.
- The food label amounts are based on one serving. Be sure to know how many servings you are eating. If you eat two servings, you need to double the number of calories and nutrients.
Where can I learn more?
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics � �
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442470413 � �
American Heart Association � �
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/WeightManagement/LosingWeight/Eat-More-Chicken-Fish-and-Beans-than-Red-Meat_UCM_320278_Article.jsp � �
Food and Drug Administration � �
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm266853.htm � �
Fruits & Veggies � � � More Matters � �
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/myplate-and-what-is-a-serving-of-fruits-and-vegetables � �