How Foods Fight Cancer

The Zoom-based classes feature a live cooking demonstration, with interspersed video, interactive discussion, and Q&A.  The recipes will be emailed prior to the class so you can follow along. Some classes have additional handouts that will be provided.  There is a maximum of 25 participants per class for an intimate and interactive setting.

Class #1 September 9th - Introduction to How Foods Fight Cancer
Certain diet patterns seem to have a major effect in helping people diagnosed with cancer to live longer, healthier lives. The National Cancer Institute research shows that as much as 50 percent of cancer risk may be related to diet. In this class, you will learn about the right food choices that can help reduce the risk of developing cancer as well as overcome the disease after it has been diagnosed.

Class #2 September 16th - Fueling Up On Low-Fat, High-Fiber Foods
Dietary fat not only hinders the immune system, it also drives hormone production, which can mean higher rates of hormone-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. Fiber helps your body rid itself of toxins, waste hormones, excess cholesterol, chemicals, and other undesirables. It is especially important in helping the immune system function properly, as well as facilitating the removal of waste from the body. Without fiber in the diet, these excess compounds are often reabsorbed into the bloodstream, leading to a possible increased risk of cancer. Steering clear of meat, dairy products, fried foods, and other fatty fare is an important first step in preventing and surviving cancer. The easiest way to be healthy is to build your meals from foods that are naturally low in fat and to use cooking methods that do not require added fats or oils. In this class you will learn how to prepare delicious, low-fat dishes made from whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits.

Class #3 September 23rd - Discovering Dairy and Meat Alternatives
When cancer researchers started to look for links between diet and cancer, one of the most noticeable findings was that people who avoided meat and dairy products were much less likely to develop the disease. Consuming dairy products causes worrisome biological changes in the body, including an increase in the amount of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the bloodstream. Scientific studies have shown elevated IGF-1 levels to be a catalyst for the growth of breast and prostrate cancer cells. Meat is another food that may be linked to cancer and other illnesses. This link is in part due to the high-fat and fiber-free characteristics of meat compared to plant foods, as well as the formation of carcinogens when meats are cooked. These cancer-causing chemicals, called heterocyclic amines, tend to form within the meat tissue when exposed to high temperatures. In this class, you will explore a variety of vegetarian sources of protein, all of which are low in fat, high in fiber, and loaded with cancer fighting nutrients.