What to eat for a healthy colon_ Here are 4 musts to any diet.

Maintaining a healthy colon doesn’t just keep your bathroom trips quick and easy, it is crucial to lowering your risks of colon cancer. Colon cancer is a serious form of cancer, and while major risk factors include age, and previous colon illnesses, obesity and poor diet are some of the leading risk factors of colon cancer for people of all ages.

The Surgery Group of Los Angeles recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, and a healthy balanced diet. For those, however, who are looking for more specific tips to boost their diet, here are 4 dietary musts for good colon health.

1. Must limit your red meat consumption – According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), just eating one hot dog (50 grams) of processed meat, or one hamburger patty (100 grams) of red meat increases your chance of colon cancer by up to 20%! The Surgery Group of LA recommends consistently replacing your sausage and steaks with turkey, fish, and chicken, and if you must have that steak limit it to 18oz per week.
2. Must add plant-based foods to your diet – The Surgery Group of LA recommends that half of your plate should include some form of whole grain, bean, vegetable, fruit, nut, or seed to your diet. For those struggling to get started a handful of microwaved broccoli onto every meal can do wonders to not just colon health but your waistline as well.
3. Must cut out surgery drinks – Or at least consider their diet or natural sweetener alternatives. While sugar intake itself has no reported connection with colon cancer, there are numerous studies outlining excess added sugar with obesity and weight gain. Soda’s like Hansens and Icee use natural zero-calorie sweeteners, and stevia goes great with your morning coffee.
4. Must increase your fiber intake – While plant-based foods almost always have dietary use, when it comes to fiber some plants are made better than others. Foods like Beans, Seeds, and Whole grain rice, have more fiber than say watermelon and kiwis. If you’re still struggling with fiber intake, include up to 30 grams of fiber supplement like Benefiber or Metamucil to your daily routine.

Getting Screened

While keeping active and maintaining a healthy diet is crucial to colon health, colon screenings are imperative to detecting and removing polyps or colorectal growths before they develop into cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends adults over 45 get regular colorectal screenings. Get screened and stay safe!