Eat a balanced diet

Vary your diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. When it comes to selecting your entrees, the American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors:

• Eat at least 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day
• Choose healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish and walnuts
• Select proteins that are low in saturated fat, such as fish, lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes
• Opt for healthy sources of carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes, and fruits and vegetables

This combination of foods will ensure that you're eating plenty of the vitamins and nutrients you need to help make your body strong.

It's not known if a certain diet or certain nutrients can keep cancer from recurring. Studies examining low-fat diets or diets that contain specific fruits and vegetables have had mixed results. In general, it's a good idea to eat a varied diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables.

While it may be tempting to supplement your diet with a host of vitamin and mineral supplements, resist that urge. Some cancer survivors think that if a small amount of vitamins is good, a large amount must be even better. But that isn't the case. In fact, large amounts of certain nutrients can hurt you.

If you're concerned about getting all the vitamins you need, ask your doctor if taking a daily multivitamin is right for you.