Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPlant-Based FoodsHerbs and SpicesFatty FishCoffee and Green TeaLimit or AvoidFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Plant-Based Foods
Herbs and Spices
Fatty Fish
Coffee and Green Tea
Limit or Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise promotes overall health, especially when you havebreast cancer. While there is no sure-fire method to prevent breast cancer, incorporating foods with cancer-fighting properties into your diet can help reduce your exposure to ingredients that may increase the risk of recurrence.
This article offers tips for eating aplant-based,whole food diet for a well-rounded eating plan to help reduce your risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
The Power of Plants
Most cancer treatment experts recommend a plant-based diet.Filling your plate with plants means you’ll be getting a diet that is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These foods also offer plant-based compounds such aspolyphenols(micronutrients that naturally occur), which may help prevent and treat cancer through direct effects on cellular processes, and antioxidants, which can reduce oxidative-stress damage to cells.
A 2019 study suggested that a diet high in polyphenols led to a major reduction ofinflammationin people with breast cancer.
Fiber intake has been associated with a lower risk of estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer, and the evidence is growing, as shown in a meta-analysis of studies to look at the connection between intake of fiber with breast cancer incidence.
In addition, a plant-based diet rich in whole, unprocessed grains, nuts, beans, vegetables, and fruit is beneficial for balancing blood sugar levels and maintaining a healthy weight. Keeping a healthy weight over the course of your life is important for cutting cancer risk, including the risk of breast cancer—as a higher body weight means higher circulating estrogen levels. According to a 2023 study, breast cancer survivors who are overweight are more likely to see a recurrence of cancer.
However, eating enough calories to maintain a healthy weight can be challenging because cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can cause nausea and also affect how foods taste, making food less appealing, which can lead to unintentional weight loss.Losing too much weight can affect your ability to perform regular daily activities such as showering and dressing.
American Cancer Society RecommendationsTheAmerican Cancer Societyrecommends at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit every day.This recommendation is a guide to help prevent cancer in general, not specifically breast cancer—and it doesn’t address recurrence.
American Cancer Society Recommendations
TheAmerican Cancer Societyrecommends at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit every day.This recommendation is a guide to help prevent cancer in general, not specifically breast cancer—and it doesn’t address recurrence.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Although all vegetables are considered healthy, several may be especially beneficial forcancer risk reduction. For example, vegetables in the Brassica familycontainsulfurcompounds, which may have cancer-fighting properties that can effectively complement standard cancer therapy for reducing the risk of recurrence.
Sulfur-containing vegetables include:
Soy and Legumes
Soybeans and soy products have become much criticized over the years with regard to breast cancer risk. Recent research, however, reinforces that soy’s isoflavones (plant forms of estrogen) may help prevent breast cancer—if they’re introduced before puberty.
When consumed over a lifetime, these plant estrogens can help modulate estrogen absorption in the body, actually blocking estrogen receptors.
Theisoflavone genisteinmight be cancer-protective, acting as an antioxidant. However, too much genistein (for example, from supplements) may trigger tumor development, especially if taken as an adult or if you’ve previously had estrogen receptor-positive cancer.
Because there are so many mixed messages about soy and its components when it comes to breast cancer, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about recommendations if you have breast cancer or if you know you are at risk of breast cancer.
Other beans and members of the legume family are nutritious, low in fat, high in protein, and rich in antioxidants and saponins. While they’re not purported to prevent breast cancer specifically, they can be helpful for those trying to reach or maintain a healthy weight or improve their health in general.
Good choices include:
Berries and Citrus
Many fruits, especially fiber-rich berries and citrus, have multiple anti-cancer features including high amounts of folate, vitamin C, polyphenols, and antioxidants. Each of these compounds may be helpful in reducing the risk of recurrence.
Berry and citrus sources include:
Herb and spices enhance flavor in many dishes and sometimes can be used instead of adding a lot of salt. Severalherbsand spices have even been considered as potentially health-promoting, but should never be used as a first-line treatment in place of traditional medical care. For best results, consume herbs and spices alongside a healthy diet and in conjunction with standard medical treatment.
Possibly beneficial herbs and spices include:
Most experts agree that adding fish to your diet three times per week is more effective than taking a supplement.
Consider swapping a serving (or more) of red meat for these fatty fish:
Properties incoffeeandgreen teahave anti-cancer effects.Epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) are the properties of green tea polyphenols, and coffee polyphenols shown to have most of these anti-cancer effects. For example, EGCG causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) of cancer cells.
This is an area of emerging research. In lab and animal studies, EGCG limits the growth of breast cancer cells. How much coffee and green tea people should consume for anti-cancer benefits is still unclear, but if you enjoy these beverages and are not sensitive tocaffeine, they are fine to enjoy in moderation.
Caffeine and Breast Cancer: What’s the Relationship?
Foods to Limit or Avoid
Some foods have a direct impact on your cancer risk while others are linked to weight gain, which in turn raises your risk of cancer. It’s well worth reviewing this list of what to limit or outright avoid.
Red Meat
Avoid These Four Foods If You’re HER2-Positive
Sugar and Sodas
Although artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, and saccharin) are not proven to increase cancer risk, the diet sodas in which they’re used are linked to weight gain and altered immune function.Avoid excess refined sugar and foods sweetened artificially in favor of small amounts of natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, orsteviato avoid your risk.
Salt
Alcohol
Alcohol is a known carcinogen, and any alcohol intake should be modest or eliminated to keep your risk of cancer low.
Most experts recommend that breast cancer survivors either abstain from alcohol consumption or limit intake to no more than one drink per day (even better, just a few drinks per week).
Summary
There are many healthy options to enhance your diet when undergoing breast cancer treatment. However, it is important to consider these whole foods, spices, coffee, and tea as complementary to the treatment plan, not a substitute. Studies continue to show the benefits of a plant-based diet for optimal health.
A Word From Verywell
It’s certainly rewarding to build good nutrition habits that can reduce your risk of cancer or its recurrence. While it’s not always easy to make sweeping shifts in your diet, small efforts can make a big difference not only for your cancer risk but for your overall health and wellbeing. Food is not only healthy but pleasurable, so you can also enjoy treats. Seek assistance from a nutritionist who can help develop healthy and enjoyable menus.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, it can. A plant-based diet that focuses on whole foods can help with overall health. Onions, garlic, curcumin (the spice found in curries), coffee, and tea have anti-cancer properties. Working with a nutritionist can help ensure you maintain a healthy weight while getting all the nutrients to keep you healthy.Learn MoreReducing the Risk of Breast Cancer RecurrenceApples, bananas, cabbage, cucumbers, legumes, spinach, and whole grains are some of these protease inhibitors that are associated with slowing down tumor growth and progression of cancer.Learn MoreDo Cancer-Fighting Foods Work?Getting regular exercise, staying hydrated with water (not sugary drinks and very limited alcohol), eating a balanced plant-based diet, and getting ample rest are good ways to maintain overall health and possibly reduce breast cancer recurrence risk.This is an area of nutrition that causes some confusion. Soy can be very healthy to eat and offer some cancer protection, especially when introduced as a whole food before puberty. But, if you have estrogen-sensitive breast cancer, and are taking a selective estrogen receptor modulator, such as tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor, such as exemestane, keep soy out of your diet because it can interfere with treatments.Learn MoreSoy and Breast Cancer
Yes, it can. A plant-based diet that focuses on whole foods can help with overall health. Onions, garlic, curcumin (the spice found in curries), coffee, and tea have anti-cancer properties. Working with a nutritionist can help ensure you maintain a healthy weight while getting all the nutrients to keep you healthy.Learn MoreReducing the Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence
Yes, it can. A plant-based diet that focuses on whole foods can help with overall health. Onions, garlic, curcumin (the spice found in curries), coffee, and tea have anti-cancer properties. Working with a nutritionist can help ensure you maintain a healthy weight while getting all the nutrients to keep you healthy.
Learn MoreReducing the Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence
Apples, bananas, cabbage, cucumbers, legumes, spinach, and whole grains are some of these protease inhibitors that are associated with slowing down tumor growth and progression of cancer.Learn MoreDo Cancer-Fighting Foods Work?
Apples, bananas, cabbage, cucumbers, legumes, spinach, and whole grains are some of these protease inhibitors that are associated with slowing down tumor growth and progression of cancer.
Learn MoreDo Cancer-Fighting Foods Work?
Getting regular exercise, staying hydrated with water (not sugary drinks and very limited alcohol), eating a balanced plant-based diet, and getting ample rest are good ways to maintain overall health and possibly reduce breast cancer recurrence risk.
This is an area of nutrition that causes some confusion. Soy can be very healthy to eat and offer some cancer protection, especially when introduced as a whole food before puberty. But, if you have estrogen-sensitive breast cancer, and are taking a selective estrogen receptor modulator, such as tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor, such as exemestane, keep soy out of your diet because it can interfere with treatments.Learn MoreSoy and Breast Cancer
This is an area of nutrition that causes some confusion. Soy can be very healthy to eat and offer some cancer protection, especially when introduced as a whole food before puberty. But, if you have estrogen-sensitive breast cancer, and are taking a selective estrogen receptor modulator, such as tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor, such as exemestane, keep soy out of your diet because it can interfere with treatments.
Learn MoreSoy and Breast Cancer
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Common questions about diet and cancer.Sut A, Pytel M, Zadrozny M, Golanski J, Rozalski M.Polyphenol-rich diet is associated with decreased level of inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer patients.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2019;70(2):177-184. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2019.0068Farvid MS, Spence ND, Holmes MD, Barnett JB.Fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.Cancer.2020;126(13):3061-3075. doi:10.1002/cncr.32816Harborg S, Cronin-Fenton D, Jensen MR, Ahern TP, Ewertz M, Borgquist S.Obesity and risk of recurrence in patients with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2337780. Published 2023 Oct 2. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37780MD Anderson Cancer Center.Cancer treatment side effect: involuntary weight loss.American Cancer Society.Diet and physical activity: what’s the cancer connection?Li Y, Li S, Meng X, Gan RY, Zhang JJ, Li HB.Dietary natural products for prevention and treatment of breast cancer.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):728. doi:10.3390/nu9070728Husain I, Ahmad R, Chandra A, Raza ST, Shukla Y, Mahdi F.Phytochemical characterization and biological activity evaluation of ethanolic extract of cinnamomum zeylanicum.J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;219:110-116. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.02.001Wang Y, Yu J, Cui R, Lin J, Ding X.Curcumin in treating breast cancer: a review.J Lab Autom. 2016;21(6):723-731. doi:10.1177/2211068216655524Aumeeruddy MZ, Mahomoodally MF.Combating breast cancer using combination therapy with 3 phytochemicals: piperine, sulforaphane, and thymoquinone.Cancer. 2019;125(10):1600-1611. doi:10.1002/cncr.32022Hayakawa S, Ohishi T, Miyoshi N, Oishi Y, Nakamura Y, Isemura M.Anti-cancer effects of green tea epigallocatchin-3-gallate and coffee chlorogenic acid.Molecules. 2020;25(19):4553. doi:10.3390/molecules25194553Breastcancer.org.Green tea.Eatemadi A, Aiyelabegan HT, Negahdari B, et al.Role of protease and protease inhibitors in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2017;86:221-231. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.021
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Common questions about diet and cancer.Sut A, Pytel M, Zadrozny M, Golanski J, Rozalski M.Polyphenol-rich diet is associated with decreased level of inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer patients.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2019;70(2):177-184. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2019.0068Farvid MS, Spence ND, Holmes MD, Barnett JB.Fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.Cancer.2020;126(13):3061-3075. doi:10.1002/cncr.32816Harborg S, Cronin-Fenton D, Jensen MR, Ahern TP, Ewertz M, Borgquist S.Obesity and risk of recurrence in patients with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2337780. Published 2023 Oct 2. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37780MD Anderson Cancer Center.Cancer treatment side effect: involuntary weight loss.American Cancer Society.Diet and physical activity: what’s the cancer connection?Li Y, Li S, Meng X, Gan RY, Zhang JJ, Li HB.Dietary natural products for prevention and treatment of breast cancer.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):728. doi:10.3390/nu9070728Husain I, Ahmad R, Chandra A, Raza ST, Shukla Y, Mahdi F.Phytochemical characterization and biological activity evaluation of ethanolic extract of cinnamomum zeylanicum.J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;219:110-116. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.02.001Wang Y, Yu J, Cui R, Lin J, Ding X.Curcumin in treating breast cancer: a review.J Lab Autom. 2016;21(6):723-731. doi:10.1177/2211068216655524Aumeeruddy MZ, Mahomoodally MF.Combating breast cancer using combination therapy with 3 phytochemicals: piperine, sulforaphane, and thymoquinone.Cancer. 2019;125(10):1600-1611. doi:10.1002/cncr.32022Hayakawa S, Ohishi T, Miyoshi N, Oishi Y, Nakamura Y, Isemura M.Anti-cancer effects of green tea epigallocatchin-3-gallate and coffee chlorogenic acid.Molecules. 2020;25(19):4553. doi:10.3390/molecules25194553Breastcancer.org.Green tea.Eatemadi A, Aiyelabegan HT, Negahdari B, et al.Role of protease and protease inhibitors in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2017;86:221-231. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.021
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Common questions about diet and cancer.Sut A, Pytel M, Zadrozny M, Golanski J, Rozalski M.Polyphenol-rich diet is associated with decreased level of inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer patients.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2019;70(2):177-184. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2019.0068Farvid MS, Spence ND, Holmes MD, Barnett JB.Fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.Cancer.2020;126(13):3061-3075. doi:10.1002/cncr.32816Harborg S, Cronin-Fenton D, Jensen MR, Ahern TP, Ewertz M, Borgquist S.Obesity and risk of recurrence in patients with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2337780. Published 2023 Oct 2. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37780MD Anderson Cancer Center.Cancer treatment side effect: involuntary weight loss.American Cancer Society.Diet and physical activity: what’s the cancer connection?Li Y, Li S, Meng X, Gan RY, Zhang JJ, Li HB.Dietary natural products for prevention and treatment of breast cancer.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):728. doi:10.3390/nu9070728Husain I, Ahmad R, Chandra A, Raza ST, Shukla Y, Mahdi F.Phytochemical characterization and biological activity evaluation of ethanolic extract of cinnamomum zeylanicum.J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;219:110-116. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.02.001Wang Y, Yu J, Cui R, Lin J, Ding X.Curcumin in treating breast cancer: a review.J Lab Autom. 2016;21(6):723-731. doi:10.1177/2211068216655524Aumeeruddy MZ, Mahomoodally MF.Combating breast cancer using combination therapy with 3 phytochemicals: piperine, sulforaphane, and thymoquinone.Cancer. 2019;125(10):1600-1611. doi:10.1002/cncr.32022Hayakawa S, Ohishi T, Miyoshi N, Oishi Y, Nakamura Y, Isemura M.Anti-cancer effects of green tea epigallocatchin-3-gallate and coffee chlorogenic acid.Molecules. 2020;25(19):4553. doi:10.3390/molecules25194553Breastcancer.org.Green tea.Eatemadi A, Aiyelabegan HT, Negahdari B, et al.Role of protease and protease inhibitors in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2017;86:221-231. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.021
American Cancer Society.Common questions about diet and cancer.
Sut A, Pytel M, Zadrozny M, Golanski J, Rozalski M.Polyphenol-rich diet is associated with decreased level of inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer patients.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2019;70(2):177-184. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2019.0068
Farvid MS, Spence ND, Holmes MD, Barnett JB.Fiber consumption and breast cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.Cancer.2020;126(13):3061-3075. doi:10.1002/cncr.32816
Harborg S, Cronin-Fenton D, Jensen MR, Ahern TP, Ewertz M, Borgquist S.Obesity and risk of recurrence in patients with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2337780. Published 2023 Oct 2. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37780
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Cancer treatment side effect: involuntary weight loss.
American Cancer Society.Diet and physical activity: what’s the cancer connection?
Li Y, Li S, Meng X, Gan RY, Zhang JJ, Li HB.Dietary natural products for prevention and treatment of breast cancer.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):728. doi:10.3390/nu9070728
Husain I, Ahmad R, Chandra A, Raza ST, Shukla Y, Mahdi F.Phytochemical characterization and biological activity evaluation of ethanolic extract of cinnamomum zeylanicum.J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;219:110-116. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.02.001
Wang Y, Yu J, Cui R, Lin J, Ding X.Curcumin in treating breast cancer: a review.J Lab Autom. 2016;21(6):723-731. doi:10.1177/2211068216655524
Aumeeruddy MZ, Mahomoodally MF.Combating breast cancer using combination therapy with 3 phytochemicals: piperine, sulforaphane, and thymoquinone.Cancer. 2019;125(10):1600-1611. doi:10.1002/cncr.32022
Hayakawa S, Ohishi T, Miyoshi N, Oishi Y, Nakamura Y, Isemura M.Anti-cancer effects of green tea epigallocatchin-3-gallate and coffee chlorogenic acid.Molecules. 2020;25(19):4553. doi:10.3390/molecules25194553
Breastcancer.org.Green tea.
Eatemadi A, Aiyelabegan HT, Negahdari B, et al.Role of protease and protease inhibitors in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2017;86:221-231. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.021
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