Colorectal Cancer and the Western Diet
A Diet High in Meat Can Increase Cancer Risk
It’s been shown that the Western diet, high in saturated fat and meat and low in fiber, has been linked to colorectal cancer. That is good news for dieters. It can provide a healthy direction for individuals to steer their diet towards.
The Fruits of Fiber
Fiber is a great component for dieters to include in their diet. Fiber is very filling and can provide maximum nutrition for a modest amount of calories. Many Americans don’t get nearly enough fiber in their diet. One easy way to get more fiber in your diet is to eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast each morning. Oats are high in fiber and very filling. Eating oatmeal when on a diet can hold you over until lunch. Because oats are so high in fiber, center your desserts around oatmeal as well. Oatmeal cookies can be for dessert and provide a quick way to sneak in some extra fiber into your diet.
Incorporating beans into your diet can be a great way to make sure you get enough fiber. The next time you make chili use more beans and less meat, or you might even try making vegetarian chili. Beans can provide you with plenty of fiber and reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.
Avoiding Atkins
The Atkins diet is a pretty popular diet that many individuals have reported having positive experiences with. However, due to its reliance on meat consumption, it is not a diet that would be healthy long term and would contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is actually highly curable if it is discovered early enough, which is why a colonoscopy after age 50 is recommended. Still prevention is key, and eating a diet high in fiber and low in the high amounts of saturated fats and calories found in meat is very beneficial.