Parents may be able to help their kids scare away cancer by encouraging them to eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily, says Sally Scroggs, M.A., nutrition counselor at M. D. Anderson's Cancer Prevention Center. Phytochemicals, found in all fruits and vegetables, have been identified as protecting against cancer. Researchers now are investigating whether phytochemicals may even slow the growth of existing cancers. Poor nutrition over a lifetime may be a culprit for several types of cancer, including cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, stomach, mouth, throat, bladder and pancreas, says Dr. Bernard Levin, M. D. Anderson's vice president for cancer prevention. Previous studies have shown that increasing daily consumption of fruit and vegetables may help to prevent these cancers.
Experts agree that, when it comes to eating habits, parents set the agenda.
Moms and dads can set a good example by letting their children see them eating a fruit snack instead of a bag of chips, Scroggs says. Parents can keep fruit in an attractive bowl on a kitchen counter and place sliced carrot sticks on the refrigerator's top shelf, next to some low-fat dip. Another way to encourage children to eat fruits and vegetables is to involve them in food preparation. Even picky eaters who normally wouldn't touch certain foods will be happy to eat what they have helped to prepare. Additionally, these healthy nutrition habits can help prevent obesity, which has been linked to several cancers, including breast, prostate, colorectal, endometrial, kidney and gall bladder, Dr. Levin says.