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There is a critical time between diagnosis and treatment when patients are vulnerable and searching for anything to control.  Too often, people receive lots of unsolicited, non-science-based advice about what they should and shouldn’t eat to get rid of cancer. Patients will run with advice, even if it is not supported by science, just to have some action to take.  Unfortunately, that advice can make them miserable and can interfere with their treatment.  Julie Lanford sheds light on the truth about cancer treatment and food. Julie Lanford is a Wellness Director for Cancer Services, a non-profit in Winston-Salem, NC. She is a registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist, and board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition with over 10 years of experience working in oncology. Julie is the creator of CancerDietitian.com and The Cancer Dietitian Podcast, both functioning to translate evidence-based nutrition guidelines into consumer friendly messages for everyday life. Key points: Patients are fed lots of myths, including: Sugar feeds or causes cancer or causes tumors to grow Organic food are toxin-free and conventional foods need to be avoided Acidic diets cause cancer Soy causes breast cancer to grow Microwaves and non-stick pans are dangerous Taking action on myths can lead to malnutrition, a serious issue for people going through cancer treatment, and poorer outcomes. Patients lose time, energy, and enjoyment during treatment through food bullying. They miss out on: Enjoying foods they love Good, balanced nutrition Mealtime gatherings Going out to eat Feeling worse than they could due to losing weight or malnutrition Cancer nutrition is a unique field: Not many dietitians are trained in oncology nutrition Few doctors are trained or have access to evidence-based information Lower-income and minority patients are more impacted by food bullying: Nutrition services are not always covered by insurance Many patients don’t have access or unable to afford services because cancer treatment is so expensive. Lower income people are diagnosed at a later stage “Myth” based recommendations are more expensive Nutrition education staff needs to be diverse to deliver culturally appropriate advice. 3 tips to overcome Food Bullying after cancer diagnosis: Stay positive - focus on what your body needs not on what to avoid Use the 80/20 rule: feed your body 80% of the time and your soul 20% of the time.  All food has a place. Keep calm and eat your veggies. Links: Julie Lanford websites: www.cancerdietitian.com or www.cancerservicesonline.org Podcast: www.cancerdietitianpodcast.com References: www.cancerdietitian.com/sugar www.cancerdietitian.com/soy Food Bullying by Michele Payn: http://foodbullying.com Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene: http://www.embraceyourheart.com/ Food Bullying Podcast’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/foodbullyingpodcast