Stock Up On These 15 Cancer Fighting Foods For Kids

They say that we are what we eat. Choosing to live by this principle makes us opt for better food choices.

Help your children stay at the peak of health while they are still young by encouraging them to include these 15 cancer-fighting foods in their diets.

1. Oranges

Oranges are rich in folates, an important B vitamin that helps protect your body against cancer. Along with other citrus fruits, they are also high in Vitamin C, which helps to strengthen the immune system.

2. Milk

Because it is rich in calcium, milk can help protect your kids against certain forms of cancer, particularly in the colon. Researchers have found that calcium binds with certain acids in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the ability of these acids to damage cells in the colon lining.

3. Cereal

High-fibre breakfast cereal can help the body fight colon cancer. Giving your kids a bowl a day of cereal that is fibre-rich can help them rid their bodies of harmful, cancer-causing toxins that may cause cancer.

4. Broccoli

Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale are known to be rich in cancer-fighting properties. Broccoli, in particular, has higher levels of sulforaphane, a compound that boost the body's immunity and helps flush out cancer-causing chemicals.

5. Grapes

Grapes and grape juice have been found to contain polyphenols, which are phytochemicals that contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Studies have shown that these can help slow the growth of cancer cells by preventing the kind of cell damage that is known to trigger the cancer development process.

6. Green tea

Green tea has been found to also contain polyphenols, and its consumption can help protect your kids against certain types of cancers.

7. Spinach

We know that green leafy vegetables are good for the body. In particular, feeding your kids spinach gives them a boost of cancer-busting fibre and vitamins.

8. Whole Grains

Whole grains such as brown rice, oats, and corn have been found to contain several cancer-fighting compounds, such as dietary fibres.

9. Shrimp

Shrimp doesn't only help elevate good cholesterol levels when it is consumed, but also gives your kids a healthy dose of selenium. This is an antioxidant that has been linked to a lowered risk of lung and colon cancer.

10. Garlic

Findings from population studies show that increasing your consumption of garlic can help reduce the risk of certain cancers, including those occurring in the stomach, breast, and pancreas.

11. Berries

Cancer-fighting berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, are great whether taken fresh, frozen or dried. These contain antioxidants, which help slow down the body's production of free radicals that damage cells.

12. Turmeric

Lab research has shown that turmeric or curcumin, a spice commonly used in curry powder, may prevent cancer, make chemotherapy more effective, and even protect healthy cells from damage due to radiation therapy.

13. Tomatoes

A Harvard study suggests that having seven to 10 helpings of tomatoes a week can help prevent the occurrence of certain cancers including prostate, cervical, and lung. This is because it contains the active ingredient, lycopene, which is an antioxidant that may help block cancer cell growth.

14. Beans

Adding dried beans and legumes to your meals can help protect your kids from cancer. These contain folates, which have been known to lessen the risk of pancreatic cancer and are also high in fibre.

15. Carrots

Munching on carrots can help protect your kids against rectal cancer because these contain the antioxidant group, carotenoids.

Republished with permission from: theAsianparent Philippines

Written by

Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

Nutritionhealthy foodkids nutritioncancer fighting foodscancer prevention