I’ve made a resolution to eat better for my breasts. I’m hoping that once I identify all of the most boob-healthful foods, I’ll start nibbling and “won’t be able to stop.”
OK, I adapted that line from an ad for the incredible edible candy bra (which popped up during my search for healthy breast food). Unfortunately, that kind of nibbling is not scientifically proven to enhance boob wellness—although I doubt that extensive studies have been done (any volunteers?).
What has been studied is less tasty.
For starters, you have to stop drinking so much (which immediately reduces the odds of ever putting on the incredible edible candy bra). While drinking one glass of wine is good for a woman’s heart, the experts aren’t so sure about the effects on the rest of your chest.
The National Cancer Institute, for instance, reports on studies that show the possibility of an alcohol-breast cancer link for even moderate drinkers. The good news: There is also research showing that 400 micrograms of folic acid each day (about the amount in a multivitamin) might offset the negative effects of that one glass of stress-reducing booze. I’m not a big drinker (I’d rather eat my calories than swill them), so it’s easy for me to play it safe.
A recent study out of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center reinforced what researchers have reported before about the benefits of cruciferous veggies: Those very crunchy items like cauliflower, bok choy, and Chinese cabbage may have cancer-inhibiting qualities. More research needs to be done, but that study identified women with certain genes who had lower breast cancer risks because of their cruciferous diets.
I’ve never seen a piece of cauliflower that I liked—even covered with cheese sauce—and I don’t know if I have those particular genes, but more crunchy veggies can’t hurt, right? Luckily I have recently discovered an amazing slaw recipe made with fennel, and I’m hoping that, sans the high-fat prosciutto topping (certain fats, unfortunately, are another no-no when it comes to breast health, see below), it will help me get the five servings of veggies a day that will do my bust (and the rest of me) some good.
For more yummy ideas, check out these recipes featuring cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
Next page: Healthy fats, lignans, and flaxseed
Comments (35)
Super article! I am just finishing radiation after Chemo and a lumpectomy. Diet has become very important now and I love reading these articles that reinforce what I am trying to do. We need to pay more attention to food choices. Exercise is also huge.
I don’t like your headline on the breast health piece; “boobs” is offensive. MB
Flax seeds must be ground to obtain the lignans!
I loved this article. I struggle with eating healthy and whether or not I should stop drinking completely. Right now I’m following the “everything in moderation” rule.
P.S. I don’t find the word “boobs” offensive at all.
Well I do. It’s hard enough for women to get any respect in this culture, especially from the medical establishment. The use of the word “boob” is more descriptive of the author than of the subject matter. It undermines what’s being said in the article and the importance of women’s health in general. Is this writer in junior high? Grow up. Breast is a one-syllable word, it shouldn’t be too hard to master.
I always go to the highlighted words and sentences in articles. I assume that I am being sent to sites that well clarify or give me more information regarding the topic. I was completed offended at two of the sites. I thought that you were a health magazine, have you changed your focus or do you not edit what your contributors submit?
I purchased a bag of flaxseed, but how can it be ground to make the lignans available to the body?
To grind flaxseeds, use a blender or coffee grinder. Golden flaxseeds have the most lignans.
Hi, this is Annie, the blogger. JoAnn is absolutely right that the flaxseeds need to be ground in order to get the most benefit. Health’s dietician, Frances Largeman-Roth, reminded me that you can get the fiber benefits from eating whole seeds but to get the omega 3s and lignans, they must be ground. I do it the old fashioned way with a mortar and pestle, but a coffee grinder (as JoAnn suggests) works great.
I keep my ground seeds in a shaker in the fridge. Frances says it would be better if I kept them in an air-tight container, and she recommends that I toss any leftovers after about four months in the fridge. Thanks for the comments! AK
I hope all you breast cancer survivors have eliminated soy products, and soy derivatives from you diet. It may enhance the growth of tumors.
For more information vist: http://www.hiddensoy.com
Love the article….good stuff. However, I bought some ground flaxseed (that was in a bin and you scooped out how much you wanted) at a health food store and the taste was awful!!! I tried putting it on my yogart and couldn’t eat it. The taste and smell made me sick. Is there a particular brand that doesn’t make you sick to taste? Any sugguestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
Frances, I hope what you bought wasn’t rancid ! I have seen it sold in an airtight sealed foil bag. It should be ground fresh, but I do grind a 10 day suppply & refrigerate it. Golden flaxseeds have the most lignans, & a very mild flavor.
Thanks JoAnn – maybe it was rancid because it was in a big bin that you scooped up and put the amount you wanted in a plastic baggy – it had probably been there for who knows how long!!! I couldn’t figure out how people could eat this stuff!!! LOL!!! I will try the airtight sealed foil bag and grind it myself. Thanks for letting me know what to look for!
Hello, I’ve been taking flax seed oil and seeds for 2 months now and have had a wonderful “side effect”, smooth, lovely skin! Yea!
you dont have to grind dry roasted flax seeds… the shells are hard and break as you chew.
and i wasnt offened by the word “boobs” thats what i call them.
Mary Beth B. — lighten up !
I have to agree with Kim. Lighten up!!!
I thought the article was great, and love the on-going conversation. Thanks, girls, for the tips on GROUND flax seeds and don’t forget the tremendous health boost from getting out to exercise after that healthy diet–Nothing like a good power walk with your best buds!!
Frances, I meant that I have seen ground flaxseeds in a sealed bag. The seeds can be bought in bulk, I buy mine at Sprouts. Whole Foods also carries them.They would be with the rice & oats,etc. Don’t get the large dark brown ones (they cause considerable intestinal distress.) Golden is the way to go.
For those who find grinding the seeds a bother, flaxseed oil capsules can be purchased from a store that sells vitamins.
Does flaxseed oil capsules have the same benefit as the ground flaxseed?
I’m not an expert, but I remember reading that the oil capsules are beneficial, but not as potent as freshly ground seeds.
I’m a breast cancer survivor also and I feel the word “boobs” is offensive. We do not have to “lighten up”. It’s offensive and it’s like making jokes about something that can be life threatening. There is nothing funny about keeping breast tissue healthy.
Grow up Mary Beth Bishoff.
We are in the information age and should be grateful that this information has been condensed and presented to us. Thank you very much Anne!
Those who are offended should take to mind and heart that she did not intentionally insult you. When writing for the general masses, even though informative, there are some writing styles that carry over making it more conversational or entertaining. As it was more of a personal piece, she had the right to refer to her mammary glands as such! This was my impression of the article.
I am sure that empathy and sympathy goes out to all survivors and others affected by breast disease, but to scold the writer is a little harsh. As Kim has suggested let’s lighten up a bit, please? We all have our little slips of tongue in other circumstances, so let’s be nice!
Hi – Most health food stores have Ground Flax Seeds. I get Organic Ground Flax Seeds at Queen’s Nutritional Products and mix them in smoothies and fat free shakes. they actually taste pretty good. kind of a nutty flavor. They have actually firmed up my “boobies” and grew them bigger and fuller.
I know that we women excel at bickering but, come on!
Judging other sisters just because they use the word “boobs” instead of “breasts” is just plain wrong. Was incorrect information given? If not, then why not just leave it alone? I’m a recent breast cancer survivor of a rather agressive-type cancer and I can’t imagine why I should be offended by a common name for breasts being used by a woman who referred to her own breast — not yours — in this way! Sheesh! Lighten up is right! Let’s get along and play nice!
I bought Golden Flaxseed oil and found it horribly bitter. I took the bottle back and exchanged it for one with a later expiration date in the middle of next year telling the clerk that I thought it was rancid. The new bottle still tastes horribly bitter. Is that the way it tastes? Or is there something wrong with the oil? I want to do all I can to keep from getting cancer in the breast I have left!
Thank you so much for this article. I had NO idea that flaxseeds where good for the breast.
I have an MRI in one week to check a lump in one of my breasts that hurts :-S
Hopefully everything will be ok, but I will go buy those flaxseeds tomorrow and grind them as it was adviced here.
Thanks!!!! And good luck for all of you…
Mary Beth CHILLAX! Geez we are getting sooooo PC these days it’s beyone obnoxious. BOOBS, there I said it too…BIG DEAL! It’s an important & informative article and you can’t see past the WORD boobs? Get over it & spend your time worrying about MORE IMPORTANT THINGS. Geeeeeez!
great article…~!!
The best way to buy flax seeds is whole then just use a coffee grinder to grind them just prior to consuming them. An amount of 2 to 3 table spoons a day is a good amount. Just be careful when you start eating them. Start with approximately 1 tea spoon and add some every few days. That is a major amout of fiber and it can cause some intestinal upset if you jump in and start with to much.
Flaxseed is good but I should remind you all that it can very easily get moldy. You may not even notice but that mold in the long run can cause problems in your liver. Just keep your flax seed in the freezer. I have a small jar to keep one week supply (I also refrigerate that) At the end of the week I refill my jar from my flax seed stock from the freezer.
I just want to say that I think using the word “boobs” is offensive and devaluing of women. This is not a “boob diet”. I think the advice is excellent and important and that the way it is labeled takes away from the seriousness of it all.
Has this become an english lesson rather than a helpful and potentially life saving article? What is wrong with a difference of opinion? Writers cannot please every one and if the word ‘breast’ WAS used, who’s to say there wouldn’t be a comment saying how impersonal and formal that word was! I think this is a great piece.