Cancer dietitian with 15 years of experience warns people to avoid consuming these 2 common foods

The changing environment and lifestyle of people are affecting their health in present times. According to the National Cancer Institute's 2024 data, an estimated 2,001,140 new cases of cancer are going to be diagnosed in the United States and 611,720 people might end up losing their lives from cancer. Our dietary habits are majorly responsible for these increasing health risks. So, registered cancer dietician, Nichole Andrews (@oncology.nutrition.rd on TikTok), came up with an insightful video to warn people about the types of food that increase the risk of cancer and we should be avoiding them at all costs.

Andrews started her video by mentioning how she keeps hearing that edibles like sugar, beef, gluten, diet soda and plant oils cause cancer risk. However, Andrews clarified that there are only two types of food items that are directly linked to cancer risk. She clarified that only processed meat products and consumption of alcohol are responsible for causing cancer. With 15 years of experience as an oncology dietician, Andrews warned about how alcohol consumption increases the risk of six types of cancer.

"Breast cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, mouth and throat cancer and stomach cancer," Andrews shared the list with Newsweek. In her video, she moved on to mention the demerits of consuming processed meat products in our daily diet. "Those pre-cooked meats at the store like hot dogs, sausage, bacon, deli meats, those increase the risk of colon cancer," Andrews said in her video. "Besides that, there are no other foods for consumption that are going to increase the risk of cancer. So this is good news." The dietician reminded people to not believe all the scary warnings related to food and cancer dropped by various influencers on social media and advised everyone to follow a healthy diet instead.

While chatting with Newsweek, she also opened up about how obesity has been a proven risk factor for at least 13 types of cancer because it promotes chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances in people's bodies. "It's not sugar itself. It's the overall calorie balance and body fat that matter most," Andrews explained. "All cells, including cancer cells, use glucose for energy. It is the body's primary energy source. However, cutting out sugar completely will not 'starve' cancer cells. Your body will naturally produce glucose from other sources, like proteins and even fats, to meet its energy needs."

"Not simply because sugar is present in the body," she continued. "While cancer cells might consume more glucose than healthy cells, this does not mean sugar causes cancer to grow faster. The process is a byproduct of how cancer cells metabolize energy differently, not a result of dietary sugar intake." At the end of the day, a diet rich in plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds contains compounds that help reduce cancer risk. "These foods are naturally high in fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals, which work to reduce inflammation, support a healthy gut microbiome and protect cells from damage that could lead to cancer," Andrews added. She advised people to focus on high-quality animal proteins, like fish, eggs, poultry, or lean meats paired with an abundance of vegetables as well.

The TikTok comments section thanked her for providing valuable information about correcting our dietary habits. @cameronbarkshire wondered, "I worked at a fast food place for 3 years eating processed meat 4 times a week. Should I be worried?" @andypritchard93 commented, "My diet is quite high in the diary. I have eggs milk protein shakes butter. I've heard negative things about dairy but I feel great." @memamatwo questioned, "I bought some sliced turkey that says nitrate-free. No artificial preservatives and no artificial color. What about this?" @greatopinionshere added, "I’m a two-time cancer survivor. I am incredibly healthy. Used to be vegetarian. Good luck everyone."

You can follow Nichole Andrews (@oncology.nutrition.rd) on TikTok for more videos on nutrition facts.