It is well known that protein intake is important for cancer patients. However, some people avoid meat due to vague beliefs that "meat is bad for the body" or because of changes in taste caused by chemotherapy. Today, I will share ways for cancer patients to consume protein healthily.

 

Risk of 'lean obesity' due to protein deficiency

 

Many people avoid meat almost to the point of being nearly vegetarian due to negative perceptions of meat. This tendency worsens especially as they age and their appetite decreases. Cancer patients who consume insufficient protein and have a lack of physical activity are at a higher risk of developing so-called 'lean obesity.'

 

Dry obesity is a condition where the body mass index calculated based on weight and height is normal, but body fat percentage is high and fat is concentrated around the abdomen, which is very harmful to health. Due to visceral fat trapped between organs, the secretion of beneficial active substances in the body decreases, leading to metabolic diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. There are also research results from Severance Hospital indicating that the risk of colon cancer increases as the amount of visceral fat increases.

Nutrients inside soybeans inhibit cancer

 

To overcome cancer, protein intake is essential for cancer patients. If you're hesitant to eat meat due to concerns about fat, try boiling lean cuts such as pork tenderloin or pork shoulder, beef brisket, or chicken breast. Boiling meat further reduces its fat content.

 

If you still feel hesitant to eat meat, you should definitely include beans in your diet. Beans, called "beef from the field," are composed of 40% protein. They are also rich in nutrients such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, making them effective for recovering strength and relieving fatigue in cancer patients. The components called genistein and daidzein found in beans are known to interfere with the growth of cancer cells and help prevent the spread of cancer. However, since bean extracts contain nutrients at high concentrations, it is difficult to determine their effects on the body of cancer patients, so it is safer to consume beans in their natural form.

 

A black band is made of beans.

 

Among beans, it is good to eat Seoritae and Seomoktae. Beans with a blackish color are rich in anthocyanin pigments. Additionally, glycitein, a type of isoflavone, is not found in other beans and is only present in the skin of black beans. The recommended daily intake of isoflavones necessary for cancer prevention is about 25mg. This amount corresponds to approximately 90g of black beans.

 

This can be satisfied by eating two plates of seasoned soybeans, two blocks of tofu, or three bowls of bean rice per day. When cooking bean rice, it is good to include the soaking water of the beans with the rice. The white foam that forms when soaking beans contains saponin, which has antioxidant properties and prevents cell membrane rupture.

 

Recommend soy milk when digestion is difficult

 

For those who have difficulty digesting, boiling and blending soybeans to make soy milk is also an option. Soy milk is quickly absorbed and digested, so even people with weak digestion can consume it without much burden. Boiling soybeans increases their protein content. According to research by the Rural Development Administration's National Institute of Agricultural Sciences' Food and Agricultural Resources Department, cooked black soybeans have a 6-7% higher protein content compared to uncooked soybeans.

Fish stew 1 to 2 times a week

 

If you get bored eating only beans, try eating fish. Fish is a good source of protein for cancer patients. Commonly consumed fish such as mackerel, croaker, and tuna contain about 20g of protein per 100g. This is similar to the protein content in pork or beef. A study by the National Cancer Center found that people who ate a 50g piece of fish once or twice a week had a 77% lower incidence of breast cancer compared to those who did not. Fish should be steamed or braised. Frying or grilling can produce carcinogens similar to those generated when cooking meat.

 

Rather than completely avoiding meat, it is more beneficial for cancer patients to eat it in moderation. When meat consumption feels burdensome, be sure to intake protein through beans or fish! Adding regular strength training will also be excellent for maintaining muscle mass.