November 29, 2007
Experts at Dana-Farber offer tips to fight cancer with your fork this holiday season
INTRO
The holidays are in full swing and festive food is everywhere. Stephanie Meyers, a nutritionist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, says that's what makes this time of year perfect for finding a cornucopia of cancer fighting foods. She takes us shopping and offers some suggestions for healthy produce this holiday season.
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It's holiday time and local markets are full of bins brimming with pumpkins, apples, squash and a lot more. The best thing about these foods are they're also loaded with cancer fighting nutrients.
Stephanie Meyers, Nutritionist
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Soundbite
"Pumpkins are everywhere this time of the year, and that's great because they're loaded with a nutrient called carotenoids. Studies show that carotenoids can help prevent colon, prostate, breast, and lung cancer."
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Stephanie says all you have to do is walk down the aisles of your favorite produce market to see the wide variety of fruits and vegetables available this time of the year.
Stephanie Soundbite
"Pumpkins aren't the only food you want in your cart. Other carotenoid rich foods include carrots, sweet potato, acorn and butternut squash."
(Rolls out with cart)
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(Stephanie rolls carriage into shot)
"Apples are another fall favorite. Research suggests an apple a day may lower your risk of throat, lung, breast and colon cancer. Apples contain phytonutrients called quercitin. The key is to remember to eat the apple with the skin on because the nutrients are found in the peel."
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Another simple tip to remember – look for foods with a lot of color.
Stephanie Soundbite
"The rich red coloring and strong tart flavor of cranberries makes them an excellent choice. So don't save them for the holidays. Laboratory studies suggest cranberries inhibit lung cancer, colon cancer and certain types of leukemia."
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Whenever possible, buy local. Local produce is more fresh because it's spent less time being transported, so the nutrient levels are higher.
Stephanie Soundbite
"No matter what time of the year, it's important to eat a plant based diet keeping your plate as colorful as possible to help lower your risk of cancer.
TAG
Stephanie emphasizes that holiday favorites can be incorporated into the diet any time of the year. So freeze a bag of cranberries, or add pumpkin to your favorite bread recipe to lower your risk of cancer year 'round.
