Plant-Based Recipe Ideas for People With Cancer

As a person living with advanced breast cancer and certified in health and nutrition, one of my most significant considerations is the food that I consume. I have been a vegetarian for many years, and I am also gluten-free, dairy-free, and caffeine-free.

As you can imagine, with a strict eating plan like this, finding recipes and foods in my everyday life can be challenging. There is debate about sugars and cancers and which diet is the "best," but there's no direct scientific proof that one specific diet will outright cure, prevent, or slow cancer progression.

Benefits of a plant-based diet

However, getting proper nutrition can have many health-related benefits. For example, the Mediterranean diet is an eating plan that can provide benefits. Plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains are the foundation of the Mediterranean diet.^1,2

In recent studies, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and depression.¹

Plant-based recipes

With this in mind, if you want to shift to a plant-based or Mediterranean-inspired eating plan, I will share a few recipes I enjoy daily. If you are new to plant-based eating, it might be easier to start if you take a gradual approach. Check with your doctor or healthcare team before making any drastic dietary changes. You want to get enough macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.³

Chickpea curry wraps

Ingredients

• 1 flour tortilla or wrap
• 1 head of Romaine lettuce or spring mix
• 2 cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ½ red onion, chopped
• ⅓ cup fresh cucumbers, diced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• Curry powder, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Directions

Add the chopped red onion, cucumbers, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard to a mixing bowl and combine. Next, add the curry powder, salt, and pepper to taste. I use 1 tablespoon of curry powder. Mash the mixture with a potato masher or fork until all are combined.

Next, take a wrap or tortilla and spread the chickpea mixture onto the wrap. You can fill the wrap with Romaine lettuce or spring mix. The toppings can be completely customizable to your liking.

Gluten-free and dairy-free banana waffle

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk (or dairy-free milk of choice)
• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat until well combined. In a preheated waffle iron, add the mixture and cook until the waffle is golden brown.

Watermelon feta cucumber salad

Ingredients

• ½ fresh watermelon, cut into cubes
• 1 fresh English cucumber, cubed
• ½ cup crumbled Feta cheese
• 10 fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. honey
• Salt, to taste

Directions

Cube the watermelon and cucumber. Chop the mint leaves. Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl and enjoy!

Broccoli salad

Ingredients

• 5 cups fresh broccoli florets
• ½ red onion, diced
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp. sugar (optional)

Directions

Dice half a red onion and combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Serve this salad chilled, and enjoy!

Healthy and simple meals

Those are some of my favorite recipes. They are fairly quick and easy to prepare, healthy, and can be customized to any way you want.

What are some of your favorite recipes?