Food, Nutrition, and Health

By Ann Harper

1 min read

During today’s video, I had a conversation with Niamh Gourlay. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Dublin in the field of food, nutrition, and health.
She became interested in nutrition after her battle with cancer. I hope you enjoy her talk and learn a little about nutrition and cancer.

Foods to avoid with cancer

Along with what she shared on the video, Niamh wanted you to know that avoiding the following foods is beneficial to all people, but especially those with cancer:

Undercooked or raw foods
Foods that are unpasteurized
Fruits and vegetables that have not been washed

These types of foods may contain bacteria or pathogens that can lead to infection. Many people with cancer may not be able to fight off these infections. Staying away from these foods will help you to be safe and stay as healthy as possible.¹

If you would like to reach Niamh for more information, you can do so at:
niamh@wellnessmatters.ie
www.wellnessmatters.ie

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Maria Valente Moderator
This is a great interview <inline-mention username="Ann Harper" user-id="3637920"/>! I can so relate to Ms Gourlay and how she describes the many ways that there is profiting off of our fear of doing something wrong with our diet while fighting cancer. She gives some wonderful information and makes that information simple which is not something I an say I've experienced before. I was so surprised to hear that the things I've been doing already match her advice! I feel much more confident in my decisions as a result. Thanks so much for posting this! 
1. Niamh Gourlay Member
 <inline-mention username="Maria Valente" user-id="3654780"/> Delighted to hear that the message resonated with you, thank you
2. Maria Valente Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Niamh Gourlay" user-id="6881503"/> Absolutely! There are times when people actually become more critical of a cancer patient's choices. There have been times when I have been told what I should be doing. Usually the unwanted advice comes with a hefty price tag. Nutrition and cancer seem to be wound up in mystery for some people. It would be easy to ignore the simplicity of a healthy lifestyle without all that bling bling.
Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
Oh my gosh ‼️I love love this! I’m going to reach out. I have more questions ‼️ thank you for this! I want to learn more about nutrition because I’m always wondering how to properly eat the right foods 😍
1. Niamh Gourlay Member
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> please, ask any questions, I would be happy to help
Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
Let us know how you make out. I hope it helps. Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ann Harper" user-id="3637920"/> I definitely will!
Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Ann Harper" user-id="3637920"/> Thank you so much for sharing that interview with us. It reminded me to boil some eggs! I wonder if I haven't been getting enough protein, so I'm going to make more of an effort. I'm pretty good with the fruits and veggies, but I am going to try her suggestion of a new variety every week. I could use a more diverse microbiome, and a better-looking glow wouldn't be bad either. 😅 I am constantly wondering what to eat, but I know I feel better when I eat more fruits and veggies. Thanks again, Ramae (<a href='https://blood-cancer.com' target='_blank'>Blood-Cancer.com</a>, team)
1. Maria Valente Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Ramae Hamrin" user-id="3651272"/> OMG! I have a friend who literally kept a boiled egg in her purse as a ready snack! Ha! Easy peasy protein 😁 
2. Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Niamh Gourlay" user-id="6881503"/> Yes. Fantastic idea, and thank you for the reminder!
Angie Netterville Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Niamh Gourlay" user-id="6881503"/> and <inline-mention username="Ann Harper" user-id="3637920"/> , thank you for sharing this valuable information. My biggest frustration after being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2007 and since was that my oncology team didn't seem to know how to guide me in proper nutrition. I've had to put the pieces of my own nutrition and gut health puzzle together, so I appreciate this very much! And I applaud you for helping so many with through this interview and beyond. 
1. Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Angie Netterville" user-id="6781044"/> I’m so glad you found it helpful and like you, I wish learning about nutrition wasn’t so hard! Ann (Blood <a href='https://Cancer.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Cancer.com</a> Team member)
Daniel Malito Moderator
Food became such a thing for me when I was in the thick of chemo and lymphoma that I am still dealing with some of the mental issues around food that I developed. It is a real thing and it's serious! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
1. Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> Food definitely has it’s challenges. I hope you’re doing better now. Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
This was awesome Ann and <inline-mention username="Niamh Gourlay" user-id="6881503"/>! I thought it interesting that raw foods are not a go-to and didn't quite relate to the whole pathogens and how they could do more damage than good. I know one call out for me was not to drink green tea which I use to like, but something about a not-good relationship with the type of treatments. Awesome!
1. Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo" user-id="3647991"/> I'm hoping to do an interview with someone who speaks about cancer and raw foods. It's on the list. Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
2. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ann Harper" user-id="3637920"/> Awesome! We can't wait!