What Not to Eat
The One Piece of Nutrition Advice I'd Give Anyone Facing Cancer (Or Just Wanting to Live Well)
One thing cancer has taught me is that you can argue about what's best to put on your plate, but there are a few things you're always better off leaving off. Whether you're a steak-for-breakfast carnivore, a plant-loving vegetarian, or somewhere in between, the science and common sense line up on this: some foods don't belong in a body that's fighting to heal.
And if you're weary, confused by all the opinions, or want to make one faithful change, start here: cut out sugar, refined foods, and seed oils. It's a simple shift, but it can change everything.
Sugar: The Silent Killer
Sugar is everywhere, hidden in sauces, dressings, and foods that never needed to be sweet in the first place. It's not just about cavities or gaining weight. In a body dealing with cancer, sugar is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Cancer cells soak up sugar faster than healthy ones. That doesn't mean sugar "causes" cancer, but it does feed it.
And even if you're not sick, sugar spikes your insulin, drains your energy, clouds your mind, and stirs up inflammation, one of the root causes of nearly every chronic disease out there. After months without it, I can honestly say: I don't miss it. The relief from cravings, crashes, and the rollercoaster of moods is worth every cup of ice cream I passed up.
You don't have to be perfect.
Refined Foods: Empty Calories, Empty Promises
I'm talking about white bread, chips, cookies, crackers, processed snacks, and most anything that comes in a shiny package and boasts a long shelf life. I used to eat an entire sleeve of Saltines at one sitting. The trouble isn't just the lack of nutrients. It's what these foods do to your gut, blood sugar, immune system, and energy.
When food is stripped down to just starch, sugar, and filler, it loses all the protective nutrients that God put in real food, including antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, and minerals. What's left are empty calories that keep you eating more but never feeling satisfied. And if you're already tired, already fighting pain or sickness, the last thing your body needs is more inflammation and less fuel.
Whether you're a carnivore or a vegetarian, cutting out the refined stuff isn't about perfection; it's about giving your body fewer battles to fight.
Seed Oils: Not the Friend You've Been Told They Are
We've been sold a story that vegetable oils are good for our hearts. But most of these oils are made in factories, not kitchens. They're often already going bad by the time you buy them, and they're loaded with the kind of fats that stir up inflammation deep in your body.
It's a shame that so many meals today are cooked with oils that our great-grandmothers never used. Back then, people used lard, beef tallow, or butter, real fats that didn't require a commercial or health claim. Folks lived long, whole lives with food that was simple and honest.
Eating a few nuts or seeds occasionally is fine. But when your meals start revolving around bottled oils you can't pronounce, especially while you're trying to heal or maintain your strength, you're asking for trouble.
Go back to what's real. Not only does it taste better, but it also treats your body with the care it deserves, from heart to brain and beyond.
What Should You Eat Instead?
It doesn't matter what diet you choose. The foundation is the same: eat real food.
A Final Thought: It's About Mercy, Not Shame
I didn't start down this path because I'm especially strong or disciplined. I started because my daughter-in-law, Katie, cared enough to encourage me. Watching cancer change my life made me open to trying something new. I saw the difference the carnivore diet made for Katie. She never pressured me, never made me feel guilty—she just cared, and I knew it.
That's what real grace looks like. It's not about having it all together. It's taking a step, however small, toward something better; every bit of progress matters. Every change, no matter how imperfect, opens the door to more healing, more hope, and a life that remains full of meaning.