Nutrition

Nutrition FAQ

Cancer

This is myth. To the contrary, there is study showing that soya bean can reduce breast cancer and its recurrence risk. Female and breast cancer survivors can consumer soya bean product safely and even include it in their daily balanced diet. Soya bean and its product (such as bean curd, yuba, soya milk) contain rich protein which is the substitute of meat. For cancer patients, it is good choice because it is soft and smooth, easy to swallow and digest.

The difference between organic food and food growing in traditional way is not big according to nutrition value. Research indicates that the benefit of taking different kinds of vegetable and fruit everyday outweighs the effect of leftover of pesticide. To minimize the residue of pesticide, one can rinse the vegetable and fruit thoroughly and peel the skin.

Hong Kong has no more chicken with hormone injected. Moreover, there is no research stating that eating chicken or other poultry will increase chance of having cancer. Instead, we should pay attention to the cooking method. After the meat is barbecued and fried in high temperature, the protein will break down into amino acid and generate Heterocyclic Amines (HCAs) which is carcinogenic. One should use lower temperature to cook such as steaming or baking in order to minimize the generation of HCAs. One should also avoid eating the scorched part of the meat.

During cancer treatment, the patient needs lots of energy and protein. If the food intake is not enough, the body will consume muscle tissue to compensate for the energy gap. The best way is to have balanced diet to absorb enough nutrients. Fat, carbohydrate and protein are important source of energy. 1g of fat can produce 9kcal. 1g of carbohydrate can produce 4kcal. The standard calorie requirement per kg is 30-35kcal. If the body weight is 60kg, the daily calorie requirement is (60kg x 30-35kcal = 1800 to 2100kcal). Please consult registered dietitian to set your eating plan.

Hong Kong has no more chicken with hormone injected. Moreover, there is no research stating that eating chicken or other poultry will increase chance of having cancer. Instead, we should pay attention to the cooking method. After the meat is barbecued and fried in high temperature, the protein will break down into amino acid and generate Heterocyclic Amines (HCAs) which is carcinogenic. One should use lower temperature to cook such as steaming or baking in order to minimize the generation of HCAs. One should also avoid eating the scorched part of the meat.
Hong Kong has no more chicken with hormone injected. Moreover, there is no research stating that eating chicken or other poultry will increase chance of having cancer. Instead, we should pay attention to the cooking method. After the meat is barbecued and fried in high temperature, the protein will break down into amino acid and generate Heterocyclic Amines (HCAs) which is carcinogenic. One should use lower temperature to cook such as steaming or baking in order to minimize the generation of HCAs. One should also avoid eating the scorched part of the meat.
Hong Kong has no more chicken with hormone injected. Moreover, there is no research stating that eating chicken or other poultry will increase chance of having cancer. Instead, we should pay attention to the cooking method. After the meat is barbecued and fried in high temperature, the protein will break down into amino acid and generate Heterocyclic Amines (HCAs) which is carcinogenic. One should use lower temperature to cook such as steaming or baking in order to minimize the generation of HCAs. One should also avoid eating the scorched part of the meat.

Recently, it is popular to use cottage cheese and flora flax seed oil as cancer treatment and the diet requests patient to cut all kinds of meat including fish. From a medical point of view, flora flax seed oil contains rich Omega 3 fatty acid. When it is included in right portion in a balanced diet, it is beneficial to body, esp heart and blood vessel health. However, since the scientific evidence of flora flax seed oil and cottage cheese to cancer treatment is not sufficient, it is not recommended for cancer patients to use this diet instead of medical treatment. At the same time, it is not recommended for patients to cut all kinds of meat including fish. This act will make the diet less diversified and may cause insufficient protein intake, affecting the progress of treatment and recovery. Up to now, there is no enough evidence stating that eating meat can deteriorate the cancer and make it recurrent. To the contrary, intake of sufficient of protein is vital to the cancer patient diet.

Acknowledgement:

Ms. Sally Poon

Registered Dietitian (UK)
Registered Dietitian (Australia)
Bsc Nutrition (King’s College London)
Master of Nutrition & Dietetics (University of Sydney)
HKU Space Sports Nutrition

Ms. Poon is private practice registered dietitian. She provides versatile medical nutrition therapy, including cancer, weight management, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood lipid, renal disease, fatty liver, metabolic arthritis, sports nutrition, geriatrics nutrition and feminine health. According to each person medical history, medicine, body characteristics and diet, personalized nutritional therapy can be provided. Ms. Poon is also always being invited as speaker for cancer nutrition talk and cooking workshop.