What tips do you have to keep a healthy diet?

I finished treatment recently and wanted to lose the weight I had put on during the past few months. I had used this well publicised program in the past and it had worked for me, you are given a consultant, see her weekly and only eat the meals they give you, pre packaged and frozen. My consultation went well until I disclosed my recent history. The Consultant contacted the Dietician by phone and she said I would not be accepted onto the program until 6 months after treatment had ceased. I must say, I did not expect this, I was stunned and upset. I phoned my daughter and she said "mum, what does that say about their food, it must be full of preservatives and chemicals". Big light bulb moment for me. I am only using fresh and healthy food, prepared from scratch, it is time consuming and not easy, but I am sure a lot better for me and my husband. Two thirds veggies and a little poultry or red meat. No trans fats that are in cakes and pastries. I don't know if the weight will drop off but this big company have done me a favour. Marls 59

Thanks, I had no clue!

I have a solution there Robyn/Annie! ;-)

In the online network we have an online group!!! 'Recipes you can taste' - https://www.bcna.org.au/group/48064

Simply join and share your tasty/healthy recipies.

I think all the above are great tips. When I was first diagnosed, I thought that changing my diet was so important. I know that diet doesn't cause BC, however a good diet can certainly help in keeping us fit and strong and therefore help us get through our diagnosis and treatment, and come out the other end of the tunnel relatively unscathed. I have several children that live with us so I have to cook for them, as well as meet my own needs. For me, soups are my favourite thing. They are healthy, can be made in large amounts and frozen for later on, and they are great as a light luncheon meal, or with some gorgeous whole meal bread, can make a main meal. I make vegetable soup, chicken, and minestrone. Soups are economical also. I also use my slow cooker for meat dishes such as massaman curry. When I was going through treatment, I found that putting the slow cooker on in the morning, made it easier for me later in the day, when I was often more tired, and usually busier too. You can use cheaper cuts of meat in a slow cooker and they are always tender. Since my diagnosis I have not had ANY alcohol at all, and I have not had any coffee either. The idea not to drink coffee is more just for general health, and it saves a LOT of money! I don't eat sugar, and like Deanne, I use stevia. I eat organic yoghurt, lots of red berries (frozen ones if I can't get nice fresh ones) and wholemeal burgen bread. I have made changes like white rice to brown, and white pasta to whole meal. I love peanut butter, but I only eat organic now. It is more expensive, but I save more than the extra on my coffee!! Whenever there are choices, I try to choose the healthy one. Some people say that it costs more to be healthy, but I have proven it most definitely does not. It just takes a bit of forward planning. One more thing, I have a store bought cereal for breakfast now, which is something that I didn't do before. Because of my osteoporosis, I have one that is fortified with calcium, and also no added preservatives. I would like to suggest that maybe we could share some recipes on a blog post . Cheers, Robynxox

I think all the above are great tips. When I was first diagnosed, I thought that changing my diet was so important. I know that diet doesn't cause BC, however a good diet can certainly help in keeping us fit and strong and therefore help us get through our diagnosis and treatment, and come out the other end of the tunnel relatively unscathed. I have several children that live with us so I have to cook for them, as well as meet my own needs. For me, soups are my favourite thing. They are healthy, can be made in large amounts and frozen for later on, and they are great as a light luncheon meal, or with some gorgeous whole meal bread, can make a main meal. I make vegetable soup, chicken, and minestrone. Soups are economical also. I also use my slow cooker for meat dishes such as massaman curry. When I was going through treatment, I found that putting the slow cooker on in the morning, made it easier for me later in the day, when I was often more tired, and usually busier too. You can use cheaper cuts of meat in a slow cooker and they are always tender. Since my diagnosis I have not had ANY alcohol at all, and I have not had any coffee either. The idea not to drink coffee is more just for general health, and it saves a LOT of money! I don't eat sugar, and like Deanne, I use stevia. I eat organic yoghurt, lots of red berries (frozen ones if I can't get nice fresh ones) and wholemeal burgen bread. I have made changes like white rice to brown, and white pasta to whole meal. I love peanut butter, but I only eat organic now. It is more expensive, but I save more than the extra on my coffee!! Whenever there are choices, I try to choose the healthy one. Some people say that it costs more to be healthy, but I have proven it most definitely does not. It just takes a bit of forward planning. One more thing, I have a store bought cereal for breakfast now, which is something that I didn't do before. Because of my osteoporosis, I have one that is fortified with calcium, and also no added preservatives. I would like to suggest that maybe we could share some recipes on a blog post . Cheers, Robynxox

I wash all my vegies and chop up what I can e.g. carrots and celery when I bring them home from grocery shopping. So there is always carrot, celery sticks and diced up watermelon etc. Having it chopped and washed makes it easier for my son to help himself especially if I'm having a bad day!

I also double up on stews, casseroles and spag bol when I'm cooking and freeze the extra. I have a plan B meal and have the makings of a stir fry in my freezer and pantry using frozen stirfry vegies, and from the pantry noodles and sauce. 

Holding my own against the fluid until I see the specialist next Tuesday. Found the water exercises that the nurse recommended really helpful. Am having a few days break in our caravan with my husband, so we have been busy travelling (and fitting in my exercise). Will catch up after Tuesday. Take care. Deanne xxxx

U ok? Haven't seen u on here for a few days. How is your lymphodema.Robyn xox