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| home : how we can help : prevention, screening, & diagnostics : answers to cancer : diet & nutrition
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Although sugar and salt are not of particular concern for cancer risk in this country, eating less of these substances contributes to a healthier diet.
SUGARS
There is no evidence to link the consumption of sugars with cancer, but excessive sugars add calories to the diet which make it more difficult to achieve or maintain a healthy weight.
TIP: If a sugar item appears as the first or second ingredient in a ready-made food (sugar, corn syrup, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, lactose, maltose, sucrose, molasses), the food is likely to be high in sugar.
TIP: Add a sprinkle of sugar to cereal instead of buying pre-sweetened cereals.
TIP: Dried fruits are a very sweet snack!
TIP: Sparkling water mixed with juice is a healthful and refreshing substitute for cola, but water is the best thirst quencher.
TIP: Make unflavored gelatin with fruit juice instead of using presweetened gelatins.
SALT
Diets rich in highly salted foods are linked to the risk of stomach cancer, which is an uncommon kind of cancer in the United States. This type of cancer is more of a problem in some Asian countries where much of the food is highly salted. However, excessive consumption of salt can cause fluid retention and contribute to high blood pressure in some individuals.
TIP: Eat fruits and vegetables since they are naturally low in salt and some are also high in calcium.
TIP: Use herbs and spices for flavor instead of salt
TIP: Check nutrition labels on frozen microwave dinners, casseroles, soup and other convenience foods. Try to keep your sodium intake to less than 3000 mg per day.
TIP: Consumption of salt-cured, salt-pickled, and smoked foods should be kept to a minimum.
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