Healthy Eating After Cancer

I’ve always considered myself a fairly healthy eater—or at least tried to be. Whole grains when I remembered, extra veggies when they looked good, and the occasional green smoothie to make myself feel accomplished. But after my cancer diagnosis, healthy eating after cancer became something entirely different.

You know what I mean—one sip of that green smoothie makes you feel like you’re winning at life, even if you eat a full bag of Cheetos for lunch. But suddenly, it wasn’t about diets or trends anymore. It was about healing. About fighting for energy, for joy, and for time.

Learning What Nourishment Really Means

Once I decided to take my health seriously, I did what I always do when I want to understand something deeply—I read. The How Not to Die Cookbook (non affiliate link) by Dr. Michael Greger, The Blue Zones Kitchen, and Eat to Beat Disease all found their way to my kitchen counter.

I scoured recipes online, experimented with ingredients I couldn’t pronounce, and started replacing the refined with the real—white flour for almond meal, sugar for honey or dates, processed for pure.

Over time, my pantry began to change. Out went the boxes and cans filled with additives and life-draining ingredients that did nothing for me. In came the good stuff—seeds, grains, and whole foods that actually gave life.

When “Healthy” Fell Flat

Not everything I tried was a success story. Some of what I cooked fell flat—literally and figuratively. There were muffins that could double as paperweights and “healthy brownies” that made me question all my life choices.

Some things just weren’t the same as “the real thing,” and I had to make peace with that. Maybe they weren’t supposed to be. Redefining how I eat meant redefining my expectations too—learning that not every bite has to thrill me to nourish me.

Redefining Taste and Gratitude

Somewhere between the almond-flour disasters and my ongoing battle with spirulina (which, by the way, is algae—and who really wants to eat algae?), something shifted. My taste buds began to change. My mindset did too.

Eating clean stopped feeling like a punishment and started to feel like gratitude—a quiet thank-you for a body still fighting, breathing, and healing.

Discovering Quinoa

One little seed kept showing up again and again: quinoa. It turns out this humble grain (technically a seed) is one of the only complete plant proteins in the world. Packed with fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants, it’s become a staple in my kitchen.

I’ve been trying to eat more plant-based meals—still not ready to give up steak entirely, but I’m finding balance. Quinoa has helped me bridge that gap between what tastes good and what truly fuels me.

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Coming Next: Soulful Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Next up, I’m sharing one of my favorite creations—a bright, flavor-packed quinoa salad that’s become a staple in my kitchen.

Soulful Fiesta Quinoa Salad is colorful, fresh, and deeply satisfying—the kind of food that feels good long after you’ve put the fork down.

See the recipe here.

If you want to get the How Not to Die Cookbook in a spiral lay flat version, buy it here at Layitflat.com.