Every February – designated as National Cancer Prevention Month – we focus on ways to lower cancer risk. Nearly half of all cancers could be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices (American Cancer Society). One of the most important steps toward leading a cancer-preventive lifestyle is eating a healthy diet.

For cancer prevention, the American Institute for Cancer Research recommends filling two-thirds of your plate with plant-based foods and one-third of your plate with animal protein. Try to “eat the rainbow,” which means eating fruits and vegetables of a variety of colors. Choosing a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables will help provide you with a balance of essential vitamins and nutrients that are necessary in reducing cancer risk.

Eating a healthy diet not only provides you with important nutrients that may reduce cancer risk, but it also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is another important step toward a cancer-preventive lifestyle. “The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that about 20% of all cancers diagnosed in the US are related to body fatness, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and/or poor nutrition, and thus could be prevented” (American Cancer Society).

To learn about other ways to lower cancer risk, check out our Five Healthy Lifestyle Habits to Reduce Cancer Risk.