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It’s happening again.
Last night you resolved to eat healthier, and this morning you found yourself looking aimlessly into your refrigerator.
You feel defeated and realize that your daily food choices count for your health.
As someone concerned about breast cancer, you want to get things right.
But maybe you’ve got limited time on your hands or aren’t sure what “eating right” looks like.
Maybe, you just need a few more tips to make it easier to eat a healthy breakfast that will maximize your cancer-fighting potential.
Knowing how to power up your food choices is one of the most important skills you can have as a breast cancer fighter!
Here are six easy solutions to help you fight cancer first thing in the morning, especially if you are running low on time.
#1 Fiber up your fluids.
Two teaspoons of chicory root powder add 4 grams of fiber to your breakfast, contributing to the recommended daily goal of 25 grams of fiber for women. Adding more fiber to your diet helps fight breast cancer by controlling blood sugar levels and reducing circulating estrogen levels. Chicory also contains plant chemicals called polyphenols that have proven anticancer effects on breast cancer cells and may help reduce the frequency of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. Add two teaspoons of chicory root fiber into smoothies, juices, exercise recovery drinks, or coffee.
By the way, if you use psyllium husk as part of your morning constitutional, add two teaspoons of chicory root fiber into the psyllium husk powder before mixing with water. Chicory root won’t change the taste, dissolves quickly, and doubles your dose of AM fiber!
#2 Try a new bread spread.
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are protein-rich legumes that contain cell-protecting antioxidants and lectins. In laboratory studies, lectins from chickpeas significantly decreased the growth and survival of breast cancer cells. Purchase a convenient, non-GMO chickpea butter for a smooth, tasty spread on whole-grain toast or make your own butter! Drain a can of chickpeas and transfer them onto a baking sheet—roast in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes. Let the chickpeas cool and blend them with honey, cinnamon, melted butter or oil, and a pinch of salt. Store homemade chickpea butter in an airtight container and refrigerate. Are you limited on time? Mix up a tofu and chickpea protein shake if you prefer to drink breakfast.
#3 Supercharge your smoothie base.
Smoothie bowls are creamy, full-bodied smoothies poured into a bowl and eaten with a spoon. You can doll up a smoothie bowl by layering or topping with fruit, granola, coconut flakes, nuts, and seeds. Your bowl becomes a superfood extravaganza when adding whole food plant powders to the smoothie bowl base. This tip is for everyone, especially traditionalists who don’t usually vary their fruit choices. The American Cancer Society recommends we “eat the rainbow” to give us the best protection against breast cancer. The powders of fruits, veggies, and berries contribute a variety of plant chemicals, including those not regularly consumed, like beets, cabbage, tart cherries, artichokes, and parsley. Each plant family has different anticancer activities. Open the capsules and pour plant powders into a base of frozen fruit, nut butter, and coconut yogurt. Drop your blenderized concoction into a beautiful bowl and decorate with fruit and nuts before digging in.
#4 Grind and sprinkle seeds.
Flaxseeds are the richest source of plant lignans, offering 75–800 times other seeds, cereals, legumes, and fruit and vegetables. Lignans protect against hormone-sensitive cancers by inhibiting enzymes involved in hormone metabolism, interfering with tumor growth, and reducing the availability of estrogen. Women given a flaxseed muffin at the time of breast cancer diagnosis, who went into surgery about 30 days later, showed significant tumor cell death and reduced tumor division. Flaxseeds are available in ground or whole form, but ground flaxseeds are most easily digested. Sprinkle a tablespoon of ground flax on overnight oats, homemade granola, or add flaxseeds into muffins and quick bread recipes. Experts recommend a daily dose of 1-2 tablespoons to fight breast cancer.
#5 Sip an uncommon combo tea.
When it comes to fighting breast cancer, much of the research focuses on green tea’s breast-cancer fighting potential. Researchers discovered that drinking more than three cups of green tea per day decreased the risk for breast cancer recurrence. Superfood mushrooms like Lion’s Mane not only sharpen the mind but slow the spread of cancer and protect bones from osteoporosis, a common concern for breast cancer patients using hormone therapies for long periods. Lion’s Mane comes in powders and capsules that you can add to green tea or try this green tea-mushroom tea blend already formulated for you. Enjoy hot or cold.
Women treated for estrogen-sensitive tumors should be cautious when choosing herbal teas. For example, peppermint and rooibos tea offers potent antioxidant and anti-tumor activity but may also increase estrogenic activity and interfere with estrogen receptor blocking drugs like tamoxifen.
Eating to beat breast cancer can be challenging, particularly when you don’t have loads of time.
With the right strategies and a little experimentation, you can start your day with confidence, knowing you are fighting cancer right off the bat.
Just imagine heading to the office or out for errands feeling good about your breakfast choices.
So next time you open your refrigerator or cupboard, you’ll have everything stocked and ready to try one of the suggestions above.
Which one will you try first?
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