Prostate Cancer Diet

Just a few simple changes in your daily eating habits can help support healthier living as you recover from prostate cancer, and may even decrease risk of your cancer coming back or getting worse. All of these recommendations also apply to maintaining overall health, for you and your family.

1. Vegetables. Incorporate cooked tomatoes (preferably cooked with olive oil) and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower) into many of your weekly meals. Certain fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants benefit the body by removing free radicals. Free radicals can attack healthy cells and permanently disrupt their operation.
2. Fat. Try to keep the amount of fat that you get from red meat and dairy products to a minimum. Several studies have reported that saturated fat intake is associated with an increased risk of developing advanced prostate cancer, while long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (the “good fat” found in fish such as salmon) may be associated with lower risk. Avoid processed meats (lunchmeats) that contain nitrates, or charred meat, which have been shown to have cancer-promoting properties. Choose fish, lean poultry, or plant-based proteins such as nuts and beans instead.
3. Vitamins. Try to get your vitamins from food sources, that is, eating a diet rich in vegetables and whole grains, rather than relying on vitamin supplements (unless your doctor has advised otherwise). In particular, avoid excessive calcium substitutes. Plant-based sources of calcium include dark green leafy vegetables, soy, and almonds.

For more detailed information on nutrition, get the guide: The Science of Living Well, Beyond Cancer.