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Can-Help Tips

December can be a tiring month. Hundreds of parties to go to, rich food and frantic shopping can leave you feeling exhausted. But, now you can enjoy a stress-free season with a little preparation:

1.

Rethink your diet

Try to eat a moderate-sized breakfast, a larger lunch, and a smaller evening meal. Between meals, you may experience cravings for chocolate and sweets to help boost flagging energy levels or concentration. Instead, choose healthy alternatives such as dried fruits (raisins, apricots and guava), low-fat cereal bars or wholemeal crackers. A piece of bread or toast and a bowl of vegetable soup is a long-lasting energy booster.
2.

Feeling Fruity

Fruits and vegetables that come in vivid hues contain disease-busting chemicals called phytonutrients. Try to eat five portions (a piece of fruit, a cup of juice, a fistful of vegetables) of coloured fruit and vegetables each day. They are a tasty source of vitamins and minerals that may help boost your immune system and well-being.

Colour Benefits Examples
Red/Purple These contain anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that may cut your risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, regular intake of blueberries has recently been proposed to reduce the long-term risk of Alzheimer's dementia.

Cherries
Plums
Prunes
Purple and red grapes
Red apples
Strawberries

Red These contain a hefty dose of lycopene, a cancer-fighting antioxidant. Cooked tomatoes have been promoted as a prostate cancer preventative.

Any tomato-based food eg. Salsa or tomato sauce
Guava
Pink grapefruit
Watermelon

Orange/Yellow The beta carotene and beta cryptoxanthin in orange/yellow foods boosts eye and skin health. They also protect cells from damage and may decrease the risk of certain cancers.

Apricots
Orange
Carrots
Mango
Papaya
Peaches
Pineapple
Pumpkin
Rock melon
Sweet potato

Green Green foods are packed with isothiocyanates that stimulate production of cancer-fighting liver enzymes. This group of foods is amongst the most convincingly proven "anticancer" foods.

Bok Choy
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kai Lan
Green tea

White/Green These contain allicin, a tumour fighter. These veggies are rich in flavonoids, which protect against cell damage.

Asparagus
Celery
Chives
Garlic
Leeks
Onions


3.

Drink like a fish

But we don’t mean alcohol! Aim for 8 glasses of water a day to help lubricate your system and keep your skin looking radiant. Avoid drinking endless cups of tea or coffee to combat dehydration as caffeine (like alcohol) is a diuretic, causing fluid loss.
4.

Keep up the exercise

Exercise is a great energy booster and antidepressant. Set yourself realistic goals – if you hate the thought of the gym, try swimming or something outdoors. According to a US study, those who exercise outdoors have fewer seasonal depressive tendencies than those who exercise indoors. A brisk 20-minute walk outside will trigger the release of your brain’s feel-good hormones. Failing active exercise, try a vigorous massage or foot reflexology session.
5.

Stock up on Sleep

Regular sleep will help keep your energy levels high. A good rule of thumb is to aim for eight hours of sleep a night, every night. Establish a regular sleep pattern by going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning.
6.

Pamper yourself

Make sure your have regular quiet, quality time for yourself. Relax in a bath, watch your favourite TV program, sing your favourite song out loud or spend time going through an old photo album and reliving some special moments. Call up your best friend and have a good, long chat. Avoid getting caught up in pointless squabbles at work or at home. Don't sweat the small stuff! Retreat to a quiet space and spend a little time being at peace with yourself and the rest of the world. No matter how many problems you may have on your mind, always think how lucky your life has been compared to some.




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