Honoring National Cancer Survivors Month

By

Katie Leonard, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, MS, RDN, CDN

Each June, we recognize National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to honor people affected by cancer, raise awareness, and provide support throughout the cancer journey.

At God’s Love, we provide nutritious meals for clients receiving cancer treatment. Good nutrition supports overall health during treatment and recovery and can help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Our meals are designed to improve the quality of life of our clients and offer a sense of connection and support.

Nutrition is important at every stage—before, during, and after cancer treatment. During treatment, eating well helps maintain body weight and gives the body the nutrients it needs for recovery and healing.

Registered Dietitians can help patients meet their nutrition needs during treatment. They offer guidance on managing side effects, staying hydrated, and getting enough calories and protein. They also provide food safety tips and practical strategies for eating well. Visit our website to learn more about Nutrition and cancer.

After treatment, continuing healthy eating habits and staying physically active are important for maintaining health and lowering the risk of recurrence.

Here are Nutrition and Lifestyle Guidelines to Support Cancer Survivors

Aim to achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
Limit intake of red meat
Avoid sugary drinks and foods with added sugar
Limit intake of “fast food” and other ultra-processed foods
Avoid alcohol, or limit intake to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women
Do not take supplements without speaking with a Registered Dietitian or your doctor
Move more and sit less
Avoid tobacco

We’re working hard to update our booklet, Every Bite Counts- Nutrition Tips for Breast Cancer Survivors, so look for it later this summer.

Please also visit these additional resources to learn more:

American Institute for Cancer Research
www.aicr.org
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
www.lls.org

And visit glwd.org/nutrition for more nutrition topics.