There is a fair amount of debate surrounding the causes of cancer. Some causes are said to be family history, poor diet, lack of physical activity, being overweight and certain hormones. Then, of course, we have the obvious – smoking and alcohol consumption which are major risk factors when evaluating causes of cancer.
It’s in every human beings best interest to try to eat right, exercise regularly and consume the right amount of nutrients on a daily basis. I’m no doctor, nor a nutritionist by any means, but we all learn at a young age what foods are the best for your body. You need to get the most fruits and vegetables possible and consume enough water throughout the day to keep you hydrated.
Canada’s Food Guide – which my mother had on our refrigerator when I was young, gives great guidelines that are easy to follow. Planning meals and packing your lunch the night before is the best way to incorporate all the food groups. Paper bag lunches aren’t just for kids anymore!
My best advice is to consume three balanced meals a day with healthy snacks like carrot sticks or a piece of fruit between meals. Breakfasts should include whole eggs or egg whites, a piece of fruit and water or a cup of juice or milk. Cereals that are high in sugar are definitely not good for you. They taste great as we all know, but they won’t leave you satisfied. Lunch should be large enough to keep you feeling full until dinner or to tide you over until you’re able to have a small healthy snack.
Dinners are so easy to include all the healthy foods you need to have a balanced diet. Try to include palm-size portions of chicken (poultry is a great source of protein)and brighten up your plate with some more veggies. Try to get at least one half hour of exercise daily. Whether you’re taking your dog to the park, gardening, having a late night swim or a quick jog after work, incorporating exercise can help maintain a healthy weight when combined with the right meal plans.
Stay away from smoking and alcohol. This is coming from someone who had parents that smoked throughout her childhood. And I can undoubtedly say, nobody likes to smell smoke or smell like smoke. There are plenty of websites and guides to help smokers quit. You’re only hurting yourself by smoking, and the secondhand smoke disturbs others around you. The Canadian Cancer Society has a long list of publications to prevent all different types of cancers and guides to help you quit smoking - for those you want to and even for those you don't.
When I was diagnosed with cancer there was no explanation, which made it more difficult for me to understand. Staying healthy and making the right life choices will keep you on the path to staying cancer-free. Instead of choosing that Big Mac; opt for the salad with your choice of light dressing. Rather than drinking a litre of juice, try water with ice, and keep juices packed with sugars to a measured cup of 250ml.
All I can hope for is for people to realize that their health is the direct result of their choices. If you make better choices, you’re bound to have a long and healthy life.
Health Canada’s website
http://www.hs-sc.gc.ca/
Get your own copy of Canada’s Food Guide
(Available in PDF format or you can order a hard copy)
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/order-commander/index-eng.php
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment