There are many schools of thought in the cancer alternative medicine literature about what is needed by way of diet in natural cancer treatments. The vast majority suggest that someone who wants to heal themselves from cancer must give up meat, especially red meat. However is this the case and what about other foods? Are there any similarities there?

The reason that most suggest giving up red meat is because they claim that vegetarianism is healthier and that red meat makes the blood acidic - upsetting the acid-base balance in the blood which should be more alkaline. Vegetarians tend to have a very deep belief in the inherent "healthiness" of their eating pattern, something that does not seem to be well supported in the medical literature. (I can hear them howl, "Yes it is!" But I beg to differ.)

There is a major issue that is agreed across all of the cancer alternative medicine believers and that is that lot fed animals give inferior meat than grass fed ones. The statement is frequently made that animals free to roam in large grassed areas and eat their grass mixed with many other forms of green herbs gives meat that is naturally healthier than those fed on grains, soy products, antibiotics and growth hormones.

In nature grains were only eaten in autumn when the animals would use them to set down some fat to support survival through the winter. Soy has never been a widespread food source for animals and despite the claims of big business we do not yet know the consequences of eating GM soy either directly or via animals. Antibiotics shouldn't be needed for animals in natural conditions. They are only needed to keep infection down to manageable levels and healthy animals don't need them. We do not know the long term effect of growth hormones on people although we do have some indicators in the early development of puberty in children.

For all of these reasons even the meat eating natural cancer treatment adherents would suggest that you only eat meat from pasture fed or range fed animals. This goes for all animals and birds. Therefore what you eat will very much depend on where you live and what is available locally.

As to the rest of the diet - the cancer alternative medicine practitioners all seem to agree that we should eat as close to nature as possible. This means that there should be a focus on brightly colored fresh fruit and vegetables and we should not eat anything that is heavy in sugar or white flour. ALL agree on this.

Cancer cells grow fast in proportion to the rest of the cells around them, very fast in some cases. White flour based products such as breads and pasta turn to sugar quickly and these launch an insulin cascade that supports fast growing cells such as cancer. At least that is one theory. Even diet sodas with no sugar, but with the aspartame sweetener, also initiate that insulin cascade as the sweetness alone is sufficient to set it off.

But is it possible to "fill up" without bread and pasta? What do you substitute with? I substitute with salads and thick vegetable soups. Much to my surprise they filled me up and saw me through to the next meal without any high glycemic fillers. However I did need twice the amount and also, usually, some meat or egg. Red cabbage has become a firm favorite in the family.

High phenol fruit and vegetables become the core of the anti-cancer diet. Phenols in the foods are a natural health enhancer through the biochemical pathways that support the immune system. The foremost of these are the brassica family which includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and sprouts and the onion family which includes, unsurprisingly, onions, leeks, garlic and chives. Have some of these daily and use them as the base around which you build the rest of your meal.

"Ah," a little voice sounds in my head, "But we don't cook at home. I have to eat out every day. I can't control what they put in the food I can afford to buy." For people in this situation, it is time to take charge of your own lives. You can go through life feeling out of control, or you can take charge of what you can. What you put in your mouth is one of those aspects you can control if you choose to.

Making major changes in your diet can be a major stress. The way we have come to eat is embedded in our psyche. It becomes a decision that has to be made, and sometimes re-made each day unless you change your circumstances. If you have the ingredients for healthy meals at home then you are much more likely to prepare them.

If you do nothing else cut out all sugar and white flour products - sodas and any sugar laden drinks, breads, croissants, doughnuts, cakes, cookies, sugary mayonnaise and pasta. Replace with large salads, fruit, and free range meats, at least for six days a week.