Foods to Eat If You Have Breast Cancer
Updated on February 25, 2026
When combined with being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight, eating well is an excellent way to help your body stay strong, especially during treatment for breast cancer. But which foods are “healthy” — and can any help reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back?
What does healthy eating mean for people with breast cancer?
A healthy, balanced diet looks different for everyone — and when you’re living with breast cancer, your appetite, energy, and even how food tastes to you may change.
Rather than grouping foods as “healthy” or “unhealthy,” think of food as being on a spectrum. Some foods provide little energy (calories) but are packed with nutrients. Other foods provide a lot of energy, but few nutrients.
Sometimes there’s overlap. For example, avocados are a creamy fruit that provide anti-inflammatory (healthy) fats; vitamins like C, K, and E; minerals like potassium and magnesium; and fiber. One medium-size avocado contains around 240 calories and 22 grams of fat, so some people on a low-fat diet might avoid them. However, they’re a very nutritious food choice. In other words, avocados are both energy-dense and nutrient-dense.
On the other hand, some foods provide a lot of energy, but fewer nutrients, such as baked goods and fried foods. Does this mean you can never have french fries? Absolutely not, says Amy Bragagnini, RD, a certified specialist in oncology nutrition at Trinity Health Lacks Cancer Center in Michigan.
“I find that when people feel they ‘can’t’ have some of the foods they love, it can create an overall sense of deprivation and may lead to disordered eating,” she explains.
“What I generally tell my patients is to aim to consume a balanced diet. First, focus on filling your diet with a variety of colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, beans, and legumes. If that is the baseline of someone’s diet,” she says, “then there is always some room for foods that may not be as ‘healthy’ or ‘nutrient-dense.’”
Foods to eat if you have breast cancer
As a general rule of good nutrition, make sure you’re eating from each of the food groups:
vegetables of all types, including dark, leafy, green, and cruciferous; red and orange; starchy; and others
fruits, especially fresh fruit
grains, at least half of which are whole grains
dairy, including fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese, and/or lactose-free versions or fortified soy beverages and yogurt as alternatives
protein foods, including lean meats, poultry, and eggs; seafood; beans, peas, soy products, and lentils; and nuts and seeds
oils, including vegetable oils and oils in food, such as seafood and nuts
According to research, most U.S. adults don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.
“Fruits, vegetables, and plant-based protein can help lower total body inflammation and can help protect against oxidative damage to our cells,” says Bragagnini. “When it comes to lowering the risk of breast cancer, choosing produce with carotenoids, a phytochemical, can be a beneficial way to help lower breast cancer risk.” Fruits and vegetables that are red, orange, or yellow, like carrots, yellow bell pepper, pumpkin, and tomatoes contain carotenoids.
“Another group of veggies that I like to recommend are cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts,” says Bragagnini. “Berries also have high amounts of antioxidants and can be great for your overall health.”
One helpful resource is the New American Plate by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), which funds research that focuses on how nutrition and lifestyle affect the prevention, treatment, and survival of cancer.
The New American Plate focuses on foods that research has shown to reduce your risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. The group recommends covering at least two-thirds of your plate with plant foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and beans. For the remaining one-third of the plate, the group recommends animal-based, protein-rich foods such as seafood, poultry, and dairy foods — and occasionally, lean red meat.
Are there foods to avoid if you have breast cancer?
Most experts agree that people should limit processed foods to reduce their risk of cancer — but that can be confusing. Many foods go through some level of processing, but ultra-processed foods are less nutritious and have added ingredients that may increase the risk of cancer.
For example, the meat we buy in stores has to be processed before it’s sold. Even pre-chopped vegetables and frozen fruits are considered to be processed foods. These foods are still nutritious.
Ultra-processed foods, however, go through multiple processes and contain many added ingredients. Examples include soda, candy, sweetened cereals, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets.
“The more ultra-processed [the food is], the more we see negative impacts on the gut microbiome. And we're seeing calories, but not the nutritional benefits,” says Alison Meagher, RD, an oncology dietitian at Scripps Health.
Ultra-processed food may also raise breast cancer risk. A 2023 review combined data from six studies that had more than 462,000 participants. The review showed that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption was related to a 5% higher risk of breast cancer. In other words, breast cancer risk goes up slightly when a person eats more processed foods.
Other foods that may affect breast cancer risk (and recurrence risk) include red and processed meats.
Eating during and after treatment for breast cancer
Eating well while you’re in treatment can keep your body strong — but it may also help breast cancer treatments be more effective. A 2023 study found that women with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer who followed an exercise program and ate a healthy diet had a better response to chemotherapy than those who didn’t participate in the program.
“If you eat a balanced diet, it also decreases the risk of long-term complications,” says Meagher.
For those with earlier-stage disease, it’s important to continue to eat a healthy diet after finishing breast cancer treatment. If you have specific goals or concerns, or you're eating to lose weight or gain weight, you may need to change your eating habits.
Working with a dietitian
If you’re confused or concerned about your diet, ask your doctor about working with a registered oncology dietitian — many cancer centers have one on staff. They’re not likely to prescribe a specific diet; rather, they will inform you on how to make healthy, balanced choices. You may also consider designing your own healthy eating plan.
It’s important to remember that no food or diet can prevent or cure breast cancer, but eating a healthy, balanced diet can lower your risk of getting it — and for people in treatment for breast cancer, lower the risk of recurrence.