Posted on October 4, 2015
Cancer + Wellness series: Episodes 10 & 11 – More plants, less sugar
Clean eating is beneficial for everyone, but it may be especially vital for those who have cancer or are in recovery from cancer and its treatment. The Cancer + Wellness Program at Mary Free Bed is focused on helping people work toward a healthier life after cancer.
Cancer + Wellness nutrition instructor Wendy Borden encourages individuals to consider following a plant-based diet as part of achieving a healthier lifestyle. This can simply mean consuming “more plants and less meat.” Or, it may mean transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan diet and completely phasing out most or all animal products.
Wendy says that while protein is a common concern, many plant-based sources are available to meet your dietary needs. Among these are quinoa, lentils, spirulina (a microalgae praised for its high nutritional value), hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), almonds, walnuts and more. 
While Wendy recommends upping your plant intake, she encourages taking a step back from a common dietary culprit. “The typical American diet contains far too much sugar,” Wendy says, echoing the concerns of health and wellness experts around the country.
The video below, for instance, shows you how much sugar can be found in everyday foods like jarred spaghetti sauce, sweetened applesauce and soda.
You don’t need to completely cut out all sweets, Wendy promises. She offers tips on how to read labels to avoid added sugars and how to select safe, alternative sources to high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sugars.
Learn more by watching the clips here. Or, watch the entire video series.
Cancer + Wellness is an innovative pilot program focused on nutritional education and gentle fitness. It’s funded through Mary Free Bed and a grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
