According to the World Health Organization, a good diet helps taking care of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, since it is known that this disease is related to overweight and obesity. That is why you must maintain proper nutrition and weight, accompanied by physical activity, to reduce the chances of suffering from this disease. On this occasion, Dr. Mauricio León, head of the mastology unit at Clinica Ricardo Palma, gives us some recommendations to follow in order to adopt new healthy habits.

Recommendations to start a healthy life that will help you prevent cancer

• Eat fruits and vegetables
  It is essential to have a good amount of these foods in our daily diet, at least five servings per day, between raw and cooked and better if they have different colors, since they provide different nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

• Eat protein of animal origin 1 or 2 servings a day
  It is important to eat white meats such as chicken or turkey, fish, eggs, among others.

• Eat plant-based protein
  It is also recommended the consumption of nuts, as well as legumes.

• Limit or minimize consumption of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, canned foods, refined grain products such as white rice, white sugar, or salt
  The consumption of these foods is associated with excess body fat and with-it cancer, in addition to other chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes, so it is recommended to choose whole foods.

• Limit consumption of sweets and fats
  Excessive consumption of these raises blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

• Limit alcohol consumption and eliminate tobacco use
  Both are major risk factors for many types of cancer.

Dr. Mauricio León
Head of The Mastology unit at Clínica Ricardo Palma