Where is the beef?

[CLTann]

I read so many articles on diet advising that red meat is a no-n0 for cancer patients. I can understand that the ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 is an important factor. However, if one takes fish oil or/and flaxseed to balance the ratio, whats wrong with red meat? Beef is a very important source of protein and a major daily food for all Americans. In classifying red meat as a food to avoid, the advisors never explain why this type of food should be avoided. How can one live on with dark colored veggies only? Meanwhile, how does one have balanced diet with adequate nutrition and sanity? I also watch sugar and carbohydrates for diabetic control; this certainly adds to a more complex diet control.

Ann

[Becky]

I eat red meat. I like it. There's nothing like a nice steak. However, too much is not good for you (cancer or not). Its the saturated fat that's the culprit and that if the meat isn't organic, there are hormones and antibiotics added. Eat what you like but in moderation. I try to have it just once a week with vegetarian meals, chicken or fish the other days. I work hard to have fish 2-3 times a week. It wasn't natural for me before so it takes more planning. Vegetarian meals were easier since my oldest daughter is a full fledged vegetarian.


I don't think red meat is bad for you but it is if it is every day and that has nothing to do with just cancer but for general health.

Kind regards

Becky

[saleboat]

I've been a vegetarian (the clean-living exercising kind) for the past 20 years and I still got a nasty nasty cancer (with no family history). Maybe if I'd eaten red meat, it would have been worse? Who knows.

Everything in moderation seems like a prudent course of action.

Jen

[RhondaH]

I follow Becky's theory. I am allergic to fowl (an until prior to dx fish also) so my diet PRIOR to dx was ONLY beef and pork (not to mention the handfuls of candy). SINCE dx, I eat fish 2 times per week (Allrecipe and Chicken of the Sea have AWESOME recipes), vegetarian 2 times per week and beef/pork 2 times per week (I have my phytochemical smoothie in the morning and my salad is my lunch that's why it's EASY for me to get 11-14 servings of fruit/veg per day...it took practice in the beginning, but now it is second nature). Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

[tousled1]

I never ate much red meat but every so often I would and still do get a terrible craving for a good steak. I too believe that in moderation anything is a go.

[R.B.]

There are previous posts looking at the impact of injected hormones in farm animals, and grass grazed with corn fed.

Also in comparative terms animals are higher in fat including intra muscular than they used to be when they had more exercise.

Nothing is ever simple when you start looking at the detail, but moderation, and as natural as you can afford and maybe? choosing grass fed eg lamb which is more likely to be grass reared.

RB

[deb-steph]

i just read your note. i am now down to only herceptin every 3 weeks thru april 2007. stage IIb 4 rounds a/c, 9 of 12 round of taxol/herceptin (stopped because of neuropathy in my feet), 33 rounds of radiation. i have been wondering about seeing the dietician now that i am done with the bulk of treatment. my oncologist has only suggested upping my protein intake since beginning but i don't know if i still need to or cut back to more vegetarian. we live in texas and this a big beef community so if would take quite a bit of adjustment to cut it all out. thanks for your input. this makes my decision much easier.

[heblaj01]

To all the reasons for heart & cancer patients to be carefull with force fed, antibiotic -estrogen-omega-6 laden beef here is a new worry with the approval in the US of virus spraying of meat for protection against bacteria:

http://mercola.com/2006/sep/7/fda_ap...meats_safe.htm
FDA Approves a Spray-on Virus to Keep Processed Meats ''Safe''

And those beef eaters relying on the better quality meat from free ranging grass
fed cattle may loose that advantage if proposed regulation by the US department of agriculture are adopted relaxing current rules:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&sn=003&sc=737
Ranchers Decry Grass-Fed Beef Rule Plan

[Mgarr]

Karen,


I drink the shake as well. Also, search the "breast cancer diet" - The soy shake was developed by a dietician 3 time cancer survivor (twice breast). She wrote a book A Dieticians Cancer Story. The following is the link with the shake recipe.

http://cancerrd.com/Recipes/supersoy1.htm

Mary

[R.B.]

There is quite a lot of discussion on soy, the form of intake. the upsides and downsides etc.

Please use the search facility above to acquaint yourself with the various viewpoints.

RB