Wendy isn’t it frustrating that all the information we get is incomplete. I am going to the Penny Brohn centre in October and will be seeing a nutritionist - I will try and remember to ask them if they know anything about it.
Finty, I will be interested how you get on at the Penny Brohn centre next month. I enquired recently about their 5 day courses and they are all full this year - did say I could go on a 3 day residential though.
I’m doing the three day residential - will certainly provide a full report. Scaryfox did it recently and found it very helpful.
Re Green Tea
I’ve just discovered that Tick Tock do an organic roibois green tea supposedly caffeine free. I am caffeine sensitive so can’t really drink ordinary tea and I find the taste of normal green tea which has less caffeine than black tea, doesn’t appeal. This new tea is delicious and I can drink it soy milk free! I wonder how much of the helpful things it has in it compared to real green tea?
Spelt
I’ve been making / eating wholemeal bread (organic since it became available) all my adult life but I don’t use spelt in it as I’m not sure it is a hard enough flour. I do use spelt in crumbles, scones and cakes.
I ditched dairy about 5 weeks ago and so far I haven’t missed it but I’m finding it hard to lose weight, as my GP suggested losing weight as a way of getting my cholesterol down a tiny bit - unrelated to the BC but I got a clot at back of the eye while on tamoxifen and had to undergo a battery of tests and statins were recommended by that consultant. I don’t want to take them.
Finty how are you losing weight so fast?
Hi Surfie - I’m glad you have found a green tea you enjoy - haven’t heard of that one before. I suppose you could contact the manufacturers, they might know about the catechin content?
Re how am I losing the weight - the first thing to say is I’ve got quite a lot to lose, so it will come off quicker than for others! The diet I am doing is mainly plant based - no meat, no dairy, no sugar, no veg fat except olive oil, no white carbs. So it isn’t for the feint hearted! It sounds a bit like the blitz diet someone (Tina maybe?) described a few pages back. When I first started I wasn’t as strict, but I lost 1.5 stone quite quickly, but then plateaued and even put back a few pounds on holiday. So a couple weeks ago I cut back a little bit more and just increased the exercise a little (just walking - a bit further and faster) and the effect has been quite dramatic. For me cutting out all sugar (except in fruit) seems to be the key - I don’t get hungry between meals any more, or cravings for anything sweet. I’m not counting calories, and I don’t even think my intake is that low (I eat bread, nuts, avocados etc), it seems to be the type of food that is making the difference.
finty xx
finty xx
Thanks Finty,
It must be the sugar content creeping up because I’ve been trying those seductive little soy drinks, yoghurts and custardy things - the list of their ingredients is a bit alarming - and I’ve stupidly been making trifle out of sherry, raspberry jam and banana cake, topped with soy custard!
A long time ago I kept fairly close to a Pritikin diet - no added sugar or fat - for ten years, but when I stopped the weight started piling on.
I’ve never eaten white carbs and eat loads of veg & fruit and since osteoporosis was diagnosed recently, a lot less meat. I lost a stone in the year before BC but I’ve only managed 8lb the last 3 months. I was going for 2 hour fast walks two or three times a week but the weather isn’t exactly welcoming at the moment. On work days (3) I force myself on a fast 20 minute walk over rough ground at lunch time.
Interesting that the craving for sweet things goes if you cut added sugar!
Sounds like you’ve identified the culprit! I ate those for a while too when I first went dairy free. Yes, the cravings really do go. I’ve had quite a few friends do low carb diets over the years and they all said the same thing. I didn’t really believe them because I’ve always had a very healthy appetite - wish I’d listened earlier! Your taste buds adjust really quickly - I now love dark chocolate which I used to hate. Also it’s not just that you lose the cravings - it seems to moderate those emotional ups and downs that sugar can cause,so feel a bit more even tempered. It’s all good.
Also you are doing plenty of exercise - 20 minutes fast walk is the recommended amount. finty x
post deleted
Finty, one of my favourite sandwich fillings is peanut butter and avocado - you should try it! Another one is peanut butter and banana! I have the opposite problem, I need to get my weight up, so peanut butter is a useful fattening snack between meals.
Wendy, re organic, I have a list from Patrick Holford of that the foods most loaded with pesticides etc: Lettuce, celery, apples, grapes, peaches, nectarines, strawberries and wholemeal flour. So if you want to be partially organic these are good ones to go for.
I think all soft skinned fruit and veg need more spraying to stop them going mouldy, but the wheat surprised me.
I use my bread maker every day and only use organic flour, it is much cheaper than organic bread, but as someone said it is an outlay. We use it so much ( teenage boys eat a lot of bread!) that we are now on our third or fourth machine!
I agree too about organic from less developed countries, ie nuts, seeds and pulses. And of course organic dairy if you do still include it in your diet. I too only buy meat when i know where it comes from ( our butchers can tell you which farm) and always eat veggie in any chain restaurant or curry place.
X
Rusty
Interesting posts re the different green teas, I had always gone for taste.
Does anyone know about where to source good quality spices? I love turmeric, which i found out is an anti cancer super food (having read Anti Cancer by Mr Servan-Schreiber), and had always got it from the supermarket but I gather that there is a difference between the brands here too.
Great thread btw
X
Rusty
Rusty - can’t answer your question about sourcing turmeric but did you know there’s some question about eating turmeric during chemotherapy? I took turmeric extract for a couple of years after my first diagnosis and have used it whenever i can in cooking since but came across some research saying it could interfere with chemotherapy. I haven’t asked my onc as I don’t want to look like a crank and I’m sure he’ll just say he’s an oncologist, not an alternative therapist! Anyway, maybe worth googling if you’re interested. xx
Will do Jane, thank you for the tip, and I’ll post my findings here…unless anyone else has done the research already?
You’ll find a few if you google.
Here’s one link which refers to a study:
And this is the relevant paragraph:
People taking blood-thinning medications, drugs that suppress the immune system, or non-steroidal pain relievers (such as ibuprofen) should avoid turmeric because of the risk of harmful drug interactions. In animal and laboratory studies, turmeric made certain anti-cancer drugs less effective. Antioxidant supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Patients who are in cancer treatment should talk to their doctor before taking vitamins, minerals, or other supplements.
Hi Surfie, I came across Anna Richardson’s Body Blitz book on amazon. Claims to lose 7lbs in 14 days. 5 Rules, no wheat, no dairy, no sugar no carbs after 6 pm (?) and no alcohol. A friend lost 9 lbs since starting 10 days ago. But it’s quite normal to lose a few pounds at the start of a diet, isn’t it. Got the book at home now, keep looking at it… Could do with losing a stone! X Tina
Hi, found a few contrictory websites, but one ehow.com/facts_5593359_turmeric-cancer-treatment.html
said: According to the American Cancer Society, research suggests turmeric increases the efficacy of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel but reduces the efficacy of other chemotherapy drugs like camptothecin, mechlorethamine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.
As cyclophosphamide is the C in FEC I think that rules it out.
Thanks again for the tip, I would never have thought of it.
Rusty
post deleted
.
post deleted
Thanks for the link just had a quick look and saved it to my favorites will have a good luck later, am finding all the information about diet very usful,
Celia.x
What an amazing site. I’ve just has a quick flick through and it looks fab. It is so good to get clear and concise reasons for the foods that it is suggested we do or don’t eat.
I have to admit, I pretty much follow what they say, (from what I have seen so far), and it is great to have the added info to go with it.
Thanks again for posting it!