LOSE 8 LBS FOR BETTER HEALTH

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS WE CAN DO FOR OUR BODIES IS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT – THIS DIET PLAN IS HERE TO HELP!

With around 55,000 women being diagnosed each year, breast cancer in the most common type of cancer in the UK. In fact, around one in eight of us will suffer with the disease. But there is good news! Thanks to routine screening, which helps to detect the disease earlier on, and improved treatments, survival rates are continuously improving

Although there isn’t a link between weight and pre-menopausal breast cancer, being overweight is a major risk factor for developing the disease after the menopause. Figures from Cancer Research UK suggest that for every 100 cases of breast cancer, between seven and 15 are caused by excess weight. Meanwhile, two large studies funded by the charity found that compared to those who were a healthy weight, obese post-menopausal women had a 30 percent increased chance of developing breast cancer.

Experts agree one of the best solutions for lowering the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer is to reach and stay at a healthy weight throughout life. That’s where we come to the rescue with this easy and tasty plan that will help to shift those extra pounds AND get you into healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. This latter point is especially important because a healthy diet will help you maintain any weight loss and, according to Cancer Research UK, could help to lower your risk of several other types of cancer, too.

HERE’S WHAT TO DO :

1- Choose one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner and one snack each day. Vary your choices to get a mix of nutrients.

2- Have an extra 300ml skimmed milk every day on top of any that’s recommended in the plan. You can use this in hot drinks or whizz with some of the fruit in the plan to make a shake.

3- If you feel hungry or want to boost portions add more veg to your plate – they’re packed with antioxidants that help to mop up free radicals, an excess of which can damage cells and increase the risk of diseases like cancer

4- Skip alcohol – studies show that even small amounts of alcohol – such as one drink a day providing 1.5 units, increases the risk of breast cancer by five percent

Get moving :

For even better results, combine this plan with more activity. Experts agree that being more active protects against post-menopausal breast cancer. Exercise helps with weight control, but also lowers oestrogen levels, so aim for the recommended 150 minutes of moderately intense activity each week such as brisk walking, dancing, jogging or swimming – and even more if you can! It’s only 22 minutes each day!