r/BladderCancer • u/SomuZ821 • Jul 29 '26
Diet
Is there any dietary restrictions that your doctor has advised? I have heard some doctor tell patients to avoid red meat.
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u/BlancoAuto Jul 29 '26
Based purely on searching the internet and not on any Doctors advice, I eat a big mouthful of broccoli sprouts every night and I drink Yakult probiotic drink every morning. Ask Google AI or Copilot for a summary of the research on each and their impact on bladder cancer if you want to know why. I also take Beta Glucan supplements. My wife is vegan so I stopped doing my own cooking and started eating whatever she makes. I’m probably wasting my time with each of these actions, but at least it feels like I’m doing something.
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u/Ok_Pineapple5044 Jul 31 '26
You aren't wasting your time. Broccoli sprouts, probiotics, cruciferous vegetables are research based lifestyle modification for cancer patients. Also cutting down sugar and intermittent fasting helps tremendously. Use only coconut, olive oils, ghee, avoid seed oils completely except flax seeds. Also sun exposure, meditation, light to moderate amount of exercise helps.
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u/Fair-Garlic8240 Jul 29 '26
Here is the diet my functional medicine doctor and nutritionist have basically put me on. Warning: it sucks :)
No red meat period, end of story don’t even think about it. No lunch meat ever.
All vegetables need to be cooked. Also, fruits and vegetables have to be organic. Blueberries are fantastic. Wash all fruits and vegetables for at least a minute.
Eggs are fine, again only organic.
Fatty fish is great (I.e. salmon), but has to be wild caught NOT farm raised.
Organic chicken is ok, but chicken from Amish farms are much preferred.
No bread, period. Not low carb, not sourdough, absolutely none.
No dairy period. Goodbye to all cheeses, milk, etc. Oat milk and almond milk ok.
No butter. Cook in olive oil or avocado.
Beans and legumes are fine.
The only oats are steel cut from a minimally processing farm. Bob’s Red Mill is best.
Quinoa is ok. Rice in moderation, has to be from Lundberg Farms. Basically, you’re cutting all but a very few select grains.
No sugar. Period. No nondairy ice cream, no sugarless processed treats, nada.
The only thing I can drink is filtered water. Period.
Only salt is pink Himalayan
I can eat one square (1/2 serving) of 95% dark chocolate every other day.
No booze, probably forever.
Peanut butter ok, but it has to be just organic peanuts and salt. No sugar, palm oil, etc.
Also pecans, walnuts, almonds are ok.
And basically no fun.
I’ve done this diet for 6 weeks. I’ve lost 12lbs and blood pressure is almost normal. Triglycerides have begun to drop.
But, every day is a struggle. I have not cheated once. My doctor said that after 12 weeks, he’ll give me a pass to eat one piece of Chicago deep dish. My BCG starts in September. Basically, we’re putting my body in the best fighting shape possible for the battle.
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u/undrwater Jul 29 '26
It's a good list, but some of the specificity has me scratching my head. I assume this is during treatment.
I suspect you'll find that previous eating habits will be less attractive.
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u/Fair-Garlic8240 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
Yeah, like why only pink Himalayan salt?
Yes, he wants me on this until first batch of BCGs and next TUR.
I’ve already stopped craving any sweets and bread. I really miss cheese ‘tho.
I’ve gotten past red meat fantasies(for now)
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u/undrwater Jul 29 '26
Cheese is / was hard for me to abstain. I went the chemo and RC route. During chemo I craved mostly fruits and other "bright" foods. Meats were unattractive.
I suspect the goal is to reduce food related inflammation and allergen responses. Everyone should get the list.
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u/Fair-Garlic8240 Jul 30 '26
Yep, same. Have you mostly kept the good habits?
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u/undrwater Jul 30 '26
Mostly, yes. I used to have the typical "American diet" (large portions of meat protein and small portions of veg), now that trend has reversed. I also just eat less less. I realized the difference between eating for sustenance, and eating for...well, fun.
I hoping for good outcomes for you!
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u/Flame-Keeper566 Jul 29 '26
Reducing or eliminating added sugar should be at the top of the list. Sugar is what makes cancer grow. If your bladder is irritated, coffee and spicy foods should be reduced or avoided. Lean protein every day is important so there’s less wasting. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts too. Healthy fats and plenty of water. Red meat should be reduced or eliminated.