Healing Cancer with Food: Getting Started

Congratulations on your commitment to becoming healthy from the inside out!

This Menu Guide was created in response to the many requests for detailed information about how to follow an alkaline healing diet similar to Stefan’s experience curing prostate cancer.

To support his body’s ability to cure his cancer, Stefan used food as a vehicle to make his body inhospitable to cancer while at the same time boosting his immune system. By focusing on low glycemic and high alkaline plant-foods he denied the cancer the sugar and acidity it needs to thrive. He also chose his foods carefully, ensuring that every meal was rich in antioxidants and other nutrients that provided his immune system with the tools it needed to fight the battle against cancer.

Our hope is that this guide will help you on your journey. Using food to heal cancer requires a huge commitment. Overcoming your cravings and emotional ties to food can be extremely challenging. When you begin to scrutinize everything you eat, you will quickly discover how your emotions trigger your food choices; whether its comfort food to calm stress, celebratory food to recognize a special event, convenience food when there’s just not enough time in the day. Choosing to use food as a vehicle towards healing means every bite must be focused on the single goal of healing.

In addition to the tips we’ve provided below, we’ve compiled some great resources on the right side of this page. Check out our Invaluable Resources or try some of our menu suggestions under Healing Cancer with Food Quick Links.

Download our Low Glycemic Alkaline Food List PDF.

Key Points to Remember

1. Every bite counts.

The goal is to deny cancer what it loves (sugar and acid) and boost your immune system with what it needs to fight the battle. Like a car that needs gasoline or electricity and regular maintenance to run smoothly, your immune system needs fuel and support in order to operate at its peak. When you are healing from cancer, it is vital that you don’t waste your immune system’s precious resources cleaning out the toxins from what you are eating. By fueling your body with high potency alkaline healing foods, it’s able to focus its energy on killing the cancer.

2. It takes time for your body to heal.

Your current state of health was not created overnight. It took time for your body to get to the point it is in right now. The healing power of food is amazing, but it takes time for your body to adjust to the concentration of nutrients and lack of toxic processed foods.

3. This very strict diet is only temporary.

There will be times when it feels easier to abandon the course and seek out your comfort foods. DON’T! Remember, this very strict diet is only temporary. Once you’ve regained your health, you may begin to slowly expand your diet to include other healthy vegan foods.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

1. Find a holistic nutritionist.

A holistic nutritionist who has experience with your type of illness can monitor your progress and help you determine the correct supplements and dosages you need in order to boost your immune system. If you do not have access to a nutritionist, ask your physician for advice.

It’s best not to self-prescribe supplements. Although they seem safe, understanding potential toxicity levels, in addition to the right dosage and combination is critical. Also, a professional will better understand the relationship between specific vitamins and any medications you are currently taking.

If you choose to include vitamin supplements in your diet, it will be important that you have regular blood tests to monitor your nutrient levels. Some nutrients are better absorbed if taken in combination or absence of specific other nutrients; some require to be taken with food; and others on an empty stomach. All this is important to consider in order to ensure that everything you put into your body effectively supports your healing process.

Caution: since there are no strict guidelines overseeing the production of vitamins and the FDA does not verify that vitamins are free of heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, etc., it is important to carefully research the companies you purchase from.

  • Read ingredients carefully, make sure the capsules are vegan and no artificial colors,
    flavors or additives have been included.
  • Check the company’s website to make sure it’s manufacturing process is monitored by a third-party agency such as ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).
  • The company website should also have information on where their products are sourced and if they perform quality testing.
2. Consult with your physician.

Each of our health conditions and physical needs are unique, we recommend working closely with your physician as you begin to make these major changes to your diet, especially if you are currently taking any medications.

Because medical school does not train doctors on how to use nutrition in healing and some health plans require doctors to follow strict protocols of care, you may experience some resistance. This is when having a holistic nutritionist will come in handy.

The hope is having your physician be your partner in health and, at the very least, order regular blood tests to monitor your nutrient levels as your body adjusts to your new diet and any vitamins you are taking.

3. Be prepared to detox.

Do not be surprised if, as your body begins to heal and detoxify, that you feel sicker for a brief period of time. As your body begins releasing the toxins you may experience cold-like symptoms, exhaustion, sweats, etc. This does not mean you are getting worse, but that your body is beginning to release the disease. If you stay the course, you will feel healthier than you have been in a long time.

For the first few months, as your body acclimates to the increase in fiber and nutrients, you may experience excessive bloating and flatulence. Over time, this will lesson significantly. If you are feeling exceptionally uncomfortable, speak to your nutritionist about slowly adding probiotics to your supplement regiment.

As you begin this diet you will notice a change in frequency and texture of your bowel movements. As your body works towards getting rid of the toxic load from your unhealthy eating habits and acclimating to the increased fiber, you will most likely experience softer and more frequent movements. Don’t worry, this is normal and will settle down overtime.

4. Eat larger meals and more often.

Since this diet is very low in calories and fat, it is crucial that you eat larger amounts and more often and do not miss a meal, even your morning, afternoon or evening snacks. It is also critical that you consume healthy fats from the Low Glycemic Alkaline Food List several times a day. Your body needs the regular infusion of nutrients and calories or a significant nutrient deficiency and unhealthy weight loss can occur.

Don’t be surprised if you are now eating triple the amount of fresh produce you are used to. Stock up each week to ensure you have plenty available. Fill your fridge and pantry with items from the Low Glycemic Alkaline Food List.

Hint: buy lots and lots of lemons, avocados, fresh garlic and greens. You’ll need extra as you will be using them in so many different ways.

5. Avoid sugar and acidic foods.

It is important to avoid sugar (even from fruit), meat, dairy, processed foods, and grains (including rice and wheat); all are very acidic. Even eating a small amount of acidic foods will make it much harder for you to raise your pH.

6. Monitor your pH.

Purchase pH strips and begin monitoring your pH using your first morning urine. This is when your body is the most acidic. Learn more about balancing your pH. Don’t be surprised if you are in the low 5s or 6s to start. Disease loves this acidic environment. The goal is to slowly (and it will take time) get your body to the high end of normal (7.25 – 7.5) on a consistent basis. As you begin eating from this diet, you’ll want to take your pH more often (about 1 ½ – 2 hours after eating) to see how your pH is responding to this new diet.

7. Get Creative

Play with the foods and spices in the Low Glycemic Alkaline Food List to find what tastes and textures you enjoy. You will notice that some of our recipes indicate that it is alkaline and others have notes at the bottom on how to make the dish appropriate for a low glycemic alkaline diet.

Your blender and food process are going to be your new best friends. If you don’t have one, you may want to purchase a juicer and dehydrator.

Healing Cancer with Food
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