Bowel cancer is a terrible disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Battling this disease takes a lot of strength and commitment, and diet plays a significant role in your battle against bowel cancer.

What you eat can impact your treatment outcomes and overall health.

While there isn’t a specific diet for bowel cancer, there are certain foods you should avoid if you’re battling this disease.

In this article, we discuss what NOT to eat if you’re battling bowel cancer, and offer tips on what you can eat instead.

Foods with High Fat Content

Foods with high fat content can be detrimental to your health, particularly if you’re battling bowel cancer. Studies have shown that people who consume high-fat diets are more likely to develop bowel cancer.

High-fat diets can also cause obesity, which is a risk factor for bowel cancer.

Foods high in fat to avoid if you’re battling bowel cancer include fast food, fried foods, high-fat desserts, fatty cuts of meat, and full-fat dairy products.

Instead, opt for lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, and beans. Switch out high-fat dairy products for low-fat alternatives such as yoghurt, milk, and cheese. Swap out high-fat desserts for fresh fruits.

Processed Meats

Processed meats such as sausages, bacon, and hot dogs are delicious but not a great option if you’re battling bowel cancer.

These foods contain high amounts of fat and salt, and the preservatives used in them can increase the risk of bowel cancer.

Processed meats are also known to contain nitrates which can turn into cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines in the body.

Instead, opt for lean meats such as chicken, fish, and turkey. Replace processed meats with fresh, organic meat and poultry.

Red Meat

Red meat such as beef, lamb, and pork is delicious, but not a great option if you’re battling bowel cancer. Studies have found that people who consume large amounts of red meat are more likely to develop bowel cancer.

Red meat is also high in fat, salt, and protein, which can be detrimental to your health if consumed in excess.

To reduce your risk of bowel cancer, swap out red meat for lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, and beans. If you must consume red meat, choose lean cuts and limit portion sizes to reduce your overall fat and protein intake.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Consuming foods and drinks high in sugar can be detrimental to your overall health, and is not a great option if you’re battling bowel cancer. Sugary foods and drinks can cause obesity, which is a risk factor for bowel cancer.

Consuming high amounts of sugar can also cause inflammation in the body, which can be detrimental to your health and impact treatment outcomes.

Sugary foods and drinks to avoid include soft drinks, energy drinks, candy, and desserts. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, and natural sources of sweetness such as honey and maple syrup in moderation.

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol in excess is not a great option if you’re battling bowel cancer. Alcohol can cause inflammation in the body and increase the risk of bowel cancer.

Alcohol can also interfere with treatment outcomes and lower your overall quality of life.

If you must consume alcohol, limit your intake to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose can be found in many processed foods and drinks. These sweeteners have been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer, and can also cause inflammation in the body.

Instead, opt for natural sources of sweetness such as honey and maple syrup.

High Salt Foods

Foods high in salt can be detrimental to your overall health, particularly if you’re battling bowel cancer. Consuming high amounts of salt can cause high blood pressure and increase the risk of many diseases, including bowel cancer.

Foods high in salt to avoid include processed foods, salty snacks, and fast food. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh meat and poultry prepared without added salt.

Smoked and Barbecued Foods

Smoked and barbecued foods are delicious, but not a great option if you’re battling bowel cancer. These foods contain high amounts of fat and salt, and the high-temperature cooking process can create cancer-causing compounds in the food.

If you must consume smoked or barbecued foods, limit your intake and opt for lean cuts of meat marinated in low-fat and low-salt marinades.

Caffeine

Consuming caffeine in excess is not a great option if you’re battling bowel cancer. Caffeine can cause inflammation in the body and interfere with treatment outcomes.

If you must consume caffeine, limit your intake and opt for natural sources such as green tea or black tea instead of coffee or energy drinks.

Conclusion

While there isn’t a specific diet for bowel cancer, there are certain foods you should avoid if you’re battling this disease.

Foods to avoid include high-fat foods, processed meats, red meat, sugary foods and drinks, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, high salt foods, smoked and barbecued foods, and caffeine.

Instead, opt for lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, and beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, and natural sources of sweetness such as honey and maple syrup in moderation.

By making healthy choices and avoiding the unhealthy foods listed above, you can improve your overall health and well-being, and become better equipped to battle bowel cancer.