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Table 2 Current recommendations for dietary factors associated with increased cancer risk

From: Dietary behaviors related to cancer prevention among pre-adolescents and adolescents: the gap between recommendations and reality

Factor

Recommendation

Source

Red and processed meat

 

• Limit consumption of processed and red meats.

ACS [3]

• People who eat red meat to consume less than 500 g (18 oz) a week, very little if any to be processed.

AICR [1]

• When selecting and preparing meat, make choices that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free.

DGA [26]

• Those who are not vegetarian are advised to moderate consumption of preserved meat.

WHO [6]

Refined sugars

 

• Limit consumption of refined carbohydrates.

ACS [3]

• Reduce the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods.

AHA [25]

• Avoid sugary drinks. Limit refined, starchy foods.

AICR [1]

• Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars or caloric sweeteners.

DGA [26]

Energy-dense foods

 

• Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. Consume 'fast foods' sparingly, if at all.

AICR [1]

Salt

 

• Avoid salt-preserved, salted, or salty foods; preserve foods without using salt. Limit consumption of

processed foods with added salt to ensure an intake of less than 6 g (2.4 g sodium) a day.

AICR [1]

• Reduce salt intake, including salt from processed foods.

AHA [25]

• Consume less than 2,300 mg (approximately 1 teaspoon of salt) of sodium per day.

DGA [26]

• Overall consumption of salt-preserved foods and salt should be moderate.

WHO [6]

Alcohol

 

• Drink no more than one drink per day for women or two per day for men.

ACS [3]

• Limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks for men and one for women a day.

AICR [1]

• Alcohol should not be consumed by children and adolescents.

DGA [26]

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not recommended: if consumed, do not exceed two unitsg per day.

WHO [6]

Mycotoxins

 

• Do not eat moldy grains or legumes.

AICR [1]

• Minimize exposure to aflatoxin in foods.

WHO [6]

Arsenic

 

• Avoid use of any source of water that may be contaminated with arsenic.

AICR [1]