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Eat well

Eating well is an important part of reducing your cancer risk.
  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Reduce your risk
  4. Eat well
Eating well begins with eating a variety of foods each day to get the nutrients you need for good health. Eating well isn’t about counting calories, although it’s still important to make sure that you’re not eating more than your body needs.
Plate of colourful vegetables and fruit

Our recommendation

Eating well is an important part of reducing your cancer risk. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends following Canada’s Food Guide and eating a variety of healthy foods every day:

  • Make half your plate vegetables and fruit.
  • Choose foods that are high in fibre or with whole grains.
  • Eat a variety of protein foods. Choose alternatives to red and processed meat more often.
  • Aim for food and beverages lower in saturated fats, added sugars and sodium.
  • Be aware of cooking method and how flavouring and fats are used.

What you eat can have a strong impact on your health, and while research shows that certain foods may lower your cancer risk directly, the overall pattern of eating is also important.

The basics of eating well

Dinner plate with salmon, vegetables and fruit, and grains

Creating healthy meals using Canada’s Food Guide

Canada’s Food Guide recommends that you eat a variety of healthy foods each day.
Find out more
Toast with yogurt and berries

Eat more veggies, fruit and fibre

People of all ages should eat more vegetables and fruit every day.
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Foods and ingredients to limit

Do you know which foods and ingredients to choose less often? Read these articles to find out!
Limit red and processed meat Watch for hidden salt Reduce added sugars The truth about fat

More about diet and healthy eating habits

An assortment of grains, nuts, veggies, fruit and salmon

Eating well extras to consider

Get more information about vitamin and mineral supplements, antioxidants, organic foods and vegetarian diets.
Find out more
People cooking in a kitchen

Busy days and budget-friendly eating

Short on time or on a budget? You can still develop healthy habits and make tasty choices at home, work or dining out.
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A family preparing a meal together in the kitchen

Eating well with kids

Helping your kids eat well now will make them more likely to eat well as they get older.
Find out more

How well do you know nutrition?

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