Abuja-An Abuja-based nutritionist, Dr Nkechi Ugwu, has said that consumption of balanced diet can help in the prevention of cancer.
Ugwu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The nutritionist, who works with a private hospital in Abuja, said that up to 60 per cent of cancer cases were diet-related.
She noted that nutritious foods could also help maintain a good health style.
“The best diet is one that you can stick with for life. A healthy diet is a lifestyle, not a fad that is dangerous or difficult to maintain.
“Abundant evidence suggests that the healthiest diets set aside animal products, reduce fats in general, while including large amounts of vegetables and fruits are encouraged.
“Eliminating meat and dairy products from your diet is a powerful step in disease prevention.
“These products are typically high in saturated fat and cholesterol and completely devoid of fibre.
“They have also been specifically linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancers, “ she said.
Ugwu said that eating low fat, plant-based diet rich in whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables was the best way to increase chances of a healthy lifestyle.
“One additional diet consideration may be useful for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
“Choose foods that have low Glycemic Index (or “low GI”), which means the foods that turn to sugar more slowly and cause less of a rise in blood sugar levels.
“Although you will find various lists of the GI values of different foods, there are really only a few foods to be concerned about.
“Sugar, of course, has a high GI, as do white or wheat bread, most cold cereals, watermelon, pineapple and baking potatoes.
“Foods to enjoy that have a low-GI are pumpernickel, rye, multi-grain or sourdough bread; oatmeal, bran cereals and Grape-Nuts; sweet potatoes, pasta, rice, barley, couscous, beans, peas, lentils, and most vegetables, “ she added.