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Top 5 Diet and Cancer Myths

By Shayne Robinson, RD, CSO, CDN and Jackie Topol, MS, RD, CSO, CDN

RefrigeratorWe know that there is a great deal of conflicting information about nutrition that patients may receive from various sources. As Registered Dietitians who are board certified in oncology nutrition, we are here to clear up some of the confusion. Here are some of the most common nutrition myths we hear from patients:

Myth # 1 – Sugar feeds cancer.

Within the body, all carbohydrates break down to sugar which both healthy and cancer cells use for fuel. Research shows that the body responds to a high sugar intake by making more insulin and related growth factors, which influence cancer cell growth. However insulin levels also depend on genetic factors, physical activity, BMI (body mass index), metabolic syndrome (a group of medical conditions linked to insulin resistance) and the type of sugar you eat. Therefore just avoiding sugar is not the right plan for everybody. It’s important to maintain healthy blood sugar and insulin levels during cancer treatment and in general. In prostate cancer, hormonal therapy is associated with weight gain and the way the body processes sugar, so it’s important to be mindful of this when making dietary choices. Ongoing research is looking to target some of these pathways.

The key question to ask is “How much and what type of carbohydrates should I eat?” A Registered Dietitian who is specially certified in oncology nutrition (RD, CSO) can help you design a well-balanced eating plan that best fits your needs.

Reference: https://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/healthy-nutrition-now/sugar-and-cancer/

Myth #2 – I need to avoid raw fruits and vegetables.

Raw fruits and vegetables that have been washed can be eaten while you are receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation. If you have a very low neutrophil count (known as “neutropenia”) or a recent bone marrow transplant, your doctor or dietitian may recommend a low microbial diet. On the low microbial diet, you can eat most raw vegetables and most raw fruits that have a smooth skin or a thick peel. The fruits and vegetables we advise not consuming on the low microbial diet are the ones you cannot wash thoroughly or those that may have mold such as raw mushrooms, sprouts, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, peaches, and plums. In the current era of treatment for genitourinary cancers, most targeted therapies do not suppress the immune system or require a low microbial diet. Not all cancer patients will have to follow these guidelines since they are specifically for leukemia and bone marrow transplant patients. If you are not sure whether you should be following a low microbial diet or how long you should follow it for, we encourage you to speak to your doctor or dietitian. Additionally, there are certain oral treatments for kidney cancer that are linked with gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea. There are ways to include fruits and vegetables in the diet while taking these factors into account. There are many health benefits that go hand-in-hand with eating fruits and vegetables, so make sure to include them in your diet! If you are concerned that you may not be meeting your nutritional needs, you can make an appointment with one of our dietitians who can help.

Reference: https://www.foodsafety.gov/risk/cancer/index.html and NewYork-Presbyterian’s “Guidelines for the Low Microbial Diet”

Myth # 3 –  Certain foods will increase my white blood cell count.

Chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, and cancers of the blood and bone marrow can damage bone marrow and lower white blood cell counts. These cells recover with time.  Blood counts are low because the bone marrow isn’t working properly, not because the body lacks the nutrients to make blood cells.

No specific foods or nutrients increase production of white blood cells, but if you have low blood counts it is very important that you eat well because a well-nourished person recovers quicker from treatment than a malnourished person. Specific foods or nutrients won’t speed up the recovery of your bone marrow, but you do want to eat well so that when your bone marrow recovers all the nutrients that are the building blocks for cells are available for your body to make the white blood cells. A Registered Dietitian specially certified in oncology nutrition (RD CSO) can help you ensure you are eating well and in turn optimize your white blood counts.

Reference: http://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/eating-well-when-unwell/white-blood-count-diet/

Myth # 4 – Cancer survivors must eat only organic produce.

Organically grown produce have lower pesticide residues and synthetic (man-made) food additives, but following an organic diet does not guarantee a healthy diet. In fact, avoiding conventionally grown produce may eliminate some healthy food options. In a study looking at 50 years of scientific articles about the nutrient content of organic and conventionally grown foods, the researchers concluded that organic and conventionally grown foods are not significantly different in their nutrient content. There have not been any direct studies on humans to show that organically grown produce can prevent cancer or other diseases any more effectively than conventionally grown foods.

What does this mean in terms of your grocery list? If you go into the market to buy a fresh organic apple, and they only have conventionally grown produce, don’t walk out with a bag of processed organic chips or cookies… A conventionally grown apple is a better choice than organic processed foods.

References:  www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255
www.foodnews.org  (from the Environmental Working Group)

Myth # 5 – I need to avoid soy foods.

It is safe to eat soy! Research has shown that moderate consumption is safe for women with a history of breast cancer, including women previously diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, and that soy consumption may even decrease the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence. Confusion about soy arises from the term “phytoestrogens.” Some soy nutrients have a chemical structure that look a bit like the estrogen found in a woman’s body. This is where the term phytoestrogen originated. However, phytoestrogens are not the same thing as female estrogens. Soy foods do not contain estrogen. Men with prostate cancer who are taking hormonal therapies also commonly inquire about the impact of eating soy, but again, soy is okay to eat. If you consume soy products, we recommend choosing whole soy foods such as such as soymilk, tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy nuts, and miso. You can have up to two servings per day.  One serving would be 1 cup of soymilk; ½ cup of tofu, tempeh, or edamame; ¼ cup of soy nuts; or 1 tablespoon of miso paste. It is best to get soy directly from foods sources; we do not recommend taking a soy isoflavones supplement.

References: http://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/hot-topics/soy-and-breast-cancer/; http://www.oncologynutrition.org/erfc/hot-topics/soy-and-hormone-related-cancers/

Nothing replaces the individualized counseling you will receive from working with an RD on a one-on-one basis. We’re here to help you.

shayne Robinson_head shot 2Shayne Robinson RD, CSO, CDN is an oncology dietitian at New York-Presbyterian.  To make an appointment, call the Outpatient Nutrition Practice at (212) 746-0838 (physician referral required). 

Jackie Topol RD_Headshot_jgt9003
Jackie Topol, MS, RD, CSO, CDN is an integrative dietitian at Integrative Health at NYP – Weill Cornell Medicine, located at 211 East 80th Street. To make an appointment, please call: 646-962-8690.

Navigating Dinner When the Food Tastes Worse Than the Plate

By Shayne Robinson, R.D., C.S.O, C.D.N

Food photo_Cancer Taste ChangesSweet, salty, savory and sour are words we often use to describe different flavors in the foods we eat, but cancer and its treatments can turn your sense of taste upside down. It is normal to experience taste changes as a result of cancer and cancer treatment. Some people report a bitter or metallic taste in their mouth, while others find that their overall sense of taste has diminished.

How foods taste and smell can change from day to day, and these changes may affect your appetite. To find foods that are appealing, try experimenting with new foods or cuisines, marinades and spices. It can even help to try new ways of preparing the foods you typically eat. Good oral care is also important.

Here are some tips to help combat common cancer-related taste changes:

Loss of Taste

  • Choose foods with strong and/or tart flavors, such as citrus fruits, vinegar and pickled foods. Marinate meats, chicken and fish to infuse flavor. Try strong flavored greens such as arugula or mizuna greens. Caution: avoid acidic foods if you have a sore mouth or throat.
  • Zinc deficiency can decrease your sense of taste. Discuss testing your zinc level and/or supplementing zinc with your health care provider.

Unpleasant Salty, Bitter, Acidic or Metallic Tastes

  • Add a sweet flavor to foods such as topping salad with fruit. Try topping meats, chicken and fish with a fruit chutney.
  • Use plastic utensils or chopsticks if metal forks and spoons taste unpleasant.
  • Add lemon juice, cucumber slices, cranberries or other flavorings to water.
  • Suck on slices of Granny Smith Apples or frozen chunks of pineapple.

Meat Tastes Strange

  • Choose other protein-rich foods (such as poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, tofu or soy milk) instead of meat.
  • Marinate and cook meats, poultry and fish in sweet juices, soy sauce, acidic dressings or wine.

Overwhelming Food Odors

  • Choose foods that are served cold, such as sandwiches, crackers and cheese, yogurt and fruit, or cold cereal and milk. Foods served hot often have stronger odors.
  • Carry a handkerchief dabbed with oil that has a pleasant odor such as mint or lavender.
  • Eat in cool, well-ventilated rooms that don’t have any food or cooking odors.
  • Drink oral supplements in a covered cup and with a straw to reduce the odor of the supplement.

Oral Care Tips

  • To keep your mouth clean and healthy, rinse and brush your teeth after meals and before bed (or every four hours during the day).
  • Before eating, rinse your mouth with a solution of 1 quart water, ¾ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. This rinse can help keep your mouth clean and improve your sense of taste.

While taste changes can be common during cancer treatment, eating well during treatment can decrease side effects. Good nutrition will help you maintain your weight, your strength, and maximize your quality of life.

If you are struggling with taste changes or any treatment side effects that affect your ability to eat, consult with a Registered Dietitian (RD). Nothing replaces the individualized counseling you will receive from working with an RD on a one-on-one basis. To see a dietitian at the NewYork-Presbyterian Outpatient Nutrition Practice call (212) 746-0838 (physician referral required).

Living with One Kidney? 5 Things to Know

Dr. Molina and Dan R.
With many types of kidney cancer, surgical removal of the cancerous part of the kidney is part of treatment. This is also known as a “nephrectomy.” Depending on the size and location of your tumor, you may have had all or part of the kidney removed. People only need one kidney, but it’s very important to protect your remaining kidney function since the kidneys are responsible for filtering your blood and removing wastes from your body.

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and the second Thursday in March is World Kidney Day. After you’ve had all or part of your kidney resected in order to remove a tumor, there are certain things to keep in mind in order to preserve your remaining kidney function. Here are five things you should know:

  1. Certain medications may need to be adjusted or avoided. Medications should be dosed according to your level of remaining kidney function. This is called “renal dosing” and pertains to all medications filtered by the kidneys (which covers a diverse group ranging from certain medications for cholesterol, heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes, infections and pain). A medical oncologist who specializes in kidney cancer should take this into account when prescribing medications, including dosing for cancer treatments. Some over-the-counter drugs are also “nephro-toxic” or harmful to the kidneys. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a type of pain medication that includes ibuprofen (Advil®), aspirin and naproxen (Aleve®).
  2. Speak up before imaging tests. Certain imaging tests that might be necessary to see what’s going on in your body and determine whether your cancer has spread, require the injection of contrast dyes. It’s critical to tell the imaging technician that you only have one kidney before undergoing these tests or any procedures. You should also hydrate before and after the test, and you may need to stop taking certain medications beforehand, such as metformin for diabetes. It’s important to discuss your specific situation with your healthcare team before you undergo any procedures.
  3. Drink up! Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is important on an ongoing basis, not just when undergoing imaging tests. Being hydrated helps your kidneys filter the wastes and toxins out of your blood so that they can leave your body as urine. Aim for your urine to be clear or pale yellow. Staying hydrated also helps prevent kidney stones.
  4. Watch the sugar and hold the salt. Diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys, so it’s important to monitor your sugar and salt/sodium intake. People with only one kidney should consume less than 2300mg sodium each day. This is approximately one teaspoon of salt. Those with diabetes should regularly check blood sugar levels. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and incorporating physical activity can help prevent developing type II diabetes.
  5. Know your numbers. There are certain blood and urine tests that you’ll want to monitor for changes in your level of kidney function over time. These include your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) which indicates how well your kidneys are filtering the wastes from your blood, the albumin to creatinine (A:C) ratio which indicates the level of protein in your urine, as well as tests for blood and infection. Work with your primary care physician to make sure you’re receiving these tests on an annual basis and you should see a nephrologist (kidney function specialist) if your eGFR is less than 30 milliliters per minute (ml/min) or if you have large amounts of blood or protein in the urine.