Fighting Cancer with Food, Part 2

This week we continue to explore the importance of healthy eating to fight cancer with expert tips from Holly Clegg, author of Eating Well Through Cancer: Easy Recipes & Recommendations During & After Treatment. Here are some tips for those on special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Plus, tips for caregivers.

Limitless Options

While there are obvious restrictions for those on a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t limitless options for delicious meals. “I understand there are restrictions with special diets, but don’t look at yourself as a foodie outcast,” says Clegg. “Fruits and vegetables come in all types of dishes. In fact, I include vegetarian style dishes throughout my books indicated by a carrot symbol, no special section.”

While vegan options can be more challenging, there are still plenty of options notes Clegg. Be sure to include other sources of protein including beans, nuts, and soy. For those on gluten-free diets Clegg says that if you eat more fruits and vegetables, chicken, fish, and meat, you won’t have a problem. “Gluten free is predominant enough now that there are numerous recipes and options available.”

Tips for Diabetics (and everyone else)

“Cancer is a crisis, while diabetes is chronic; therefore, many people diagnosed with diabetes choose not to adhere to a diabetic diet, as sometimes there are not immediate side effects,” says Clegg. “I think there is a misconception as there is no special diabetic diet; it is just the healthiest way to eat!”

Clegg partnered with the American Diabetes Association for her Holly Clegg trim&TERRIFIC Diabetic Cooking Cookbook – proving that good food can also be good for you. “My favorite e-mail from someone with the book sums up my diabetic philosophy: ‘I wish the word diabetic wasn’t on the cover of the book, as more people would use the book!’ My trim&TERRIFIC mainstream diabetic recipes include lasagna to tiramisu.”

Clegg says that you don’t have to change what you eat, just how you prepare the food, and watch your portion sizes. Also, no fast foods and watch your sodium intake. 

Eat as a Family

Preparing a special diet for the patient in the family while everyone else eats “normal” isn’t a good approach and doesn’t promote a healthy lifestyle – especially if “normal” means high-fat or processed foods. “With my approach to healthy eating, everyone can eat this way, the caregiver, family, and patient,” says Clegg. “Cook and freeze in disposable small serving size pans. This way you can pull from the freezer home-cooked meals. Eat small meals throughout the day as opposed to big meals. Remember, there is no set routine; if breakfast sounds appealing at night or a steak sounds good in the morning, eat what makes the person happy without a time restriction. Keep a well-stocked pantry which is my golden rule. Think of it as a permanent shopping list so cooking can be easy and not time consuming.”

Clegg’s recipe for easy chili uses items found in any well-stocked pantry.

Easy Chili

Meat, salsa, corn, beef broth and beans are the foundation for this incredible quick favorite chili.

Makes 6-8 servings

• 2 pounds ground sirloin
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 (16-ounce) jar chunky salsa
• 1 (16-ounce) package frozen corn
• 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans seasoned beef broth with onion
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

In large nonstick pot, cook meat and garlic until done. Drain any excess fat.  Add remaining ingredients.  Bring to boil, reduce heat, and cook 15 minutes.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 266, Protein (g) 29, Carbohydrate (g) 14, Fat (g) 7, Calories from Fat (%) 22, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Dietary Fiber (g) 5, Cholesterol (mg) 60, Sodium (mg) 848, Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable

Doc’s Note: Meat provides protein and iron while the corn and beans are a good source of vitamin, and folacin.

For more information about Holly Clegg and her books, visit her online at www.HollyClegg.com. Read her healthy cooking blog at http://thehealthycookingblog.com.

Additional Resource:

For more resources and ideas on vegetarian cooking, check out 101 Cookbooks, an online library of vegetarian recipes focused on whole foods.