World Cancer Day: What does healthy eating mean?

World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4 every year to raise awareness about cancer and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. According to the World Health Organization, at least a third of cancers are preventable, giving us every reason to advocate for healthy life choices and prevention strategies to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Eating healthy means eating a variety of foods that give you the nutrients you need to maintain your health, feel good and have energy. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins and minerals. Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and avoiding or limiting red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened drinks, and highly processed foods are some of the recommended lifestyle changes.

Nutrition is important for everyone. Combined with being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight, eating right is an excellent way to keep your body strong and healthy. What you eat can affect your immune system, mood and energy levels. No food or diet can prevent you from getting cancer. While researchers are still studying the effects of eating unhealthy foods on cancer and relapse risk, we know that being overweight is a risk factor for cancer and other conditions. In this section, you can find some inspiration to get started today:

• The perfect combination: 2 portions of fruit, 3 portions of vegetables a day
• 15 to 25 grams of nuts and seeds per day
• Eating less sugar is one of the best things for your health
• Fish for important health benefits