If you’re living with prostate cancer, you may be going through medical treatments such as radiation, surgery, or immunotherapy. These treatments can affect your energy levels and health. While no food or diet can cure prostate cancer, what you eat may support longer life expectancy and help you better tolerate treatment and manage side effects.

This guide shares foods to eat and foods to limit for prostate health. Consider using it along with your prostate cancer treatment plan to boost overall wellness and quality of life.

Prostate Cancer Diet: 6 Foods To Eat

1. Tomatoes and Tomato Products

Tomatoes and tomato products contain an antioxidant called lycopene. Lycopene hasn’t been proved to reduce the risk of prostate cancer spread, but some researchers have suggested that it may help reduce the production of prostate cancer cells. To increase the absorption of lycopene, try pairing it with a healthy fat like avocado or olive oil. Ketchup and tomato sauces also contain lycopene, but try to choose unsweetened versions for optimal health and benefit.

2. Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy. Some studies have suggested that eating more vegetables can provide some protection from prostate cancer. Even just two servings of cruciferous vegetables per day may help support prostate health because they contain powerful plant compounds called isothiocyanates.

3. Whole Grains

Whole grains are sources of carbohydrates that contain all three parts of the kernel, including the bran, endosperm, and germ, each of which has different nutrients. The outer layer, called the bran, is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals, which help prevent certain diseases. Fiber is important for prostate health because it filters toxic chemicals, excess hormones, and carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances. One study suggested that eating a high-fiber diet with lower fat for 10 days resulted in reduced growth of prostate cancer.

Healthy whole grains include barley, quinoa, bulgur, millet, and oats. When choosing bread or pasta, go for the whole-grain versions. To determine if it’s whole grain, check the nutrition facts and aim for at least 3 grams of fiber per slice or serving, and look for listed ingredients like whole grain or sprouted grain flour. A good goal is to aim for 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day.

4. Fatty Fish

Fatty cold-water fish include salmon, trout, sardines, and herring. Some studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of both prostate cancer and prostate cancer progression. The best way to get omega-3 is to consume fish a couple of times per week. Some nuts and seeds, like flaxseed, have a form of omega-3, but some people are not efficient at converting it to the more beneficial version that’s found in fish.

5. Legumes

Beans and legumes are part of a plant-based diet recommended for prostate cancer health. These foods contain fiber, minerals, and phytochemicals, all of which may have anticancer effects. When researchers reviewed 10 separate studies, they concluded that people who ate more legumes had a lower rate of prostate cancer.

Pulses are a subcategory of legumes that includes beans, lentils, and peas. Try getting at least one serving per day by mixing rice with lentils, making black bean tacos, or simply having peas on the side.

6. Green Tea

Green tea contains beneficial plant components, called catechins, that may help limit tumor growth. In one study, 93 people with early-stage prostate cancer drank 6 cups of green tea per day for three weeks, compared to a control group that drank black tea and water. Those who drank green tea experienced decreased inflammation and a modest reduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. As long as you’re not sensitive to the stimulating caffeine effects of green tea and you don’t have any medication interactions, it’s worth talking to your doctor about adding unsweetened green tea to your diet.

Prostate Cancer Diet: 4 Foods To Avoid

1. Red Meat and Full-Fat Dairy

Research has been inconsistent when it comes to prostate cancer and overall fat intake. Some studies have suggested an association between saturated fat and prostate cancer. Saturated fats are found in red meat and full-fat dairy products, including butter, cheese, and creamy salad dressings.

Aim to get less than 10 percent of your total calories from saturated fat. A good rule of thumb for prostate health is to limit processed meats to 2 ounces per day and red meat to 2 to 3 ounces per day. For reference, 3 ounces of cooked meat is about the size of a deck of cards.

2. Ultra-Processed Foods

Most foods require some processing, but ultra-processed foods include ingredients that typically won’t be in your kitchen. They include chemicals and additives, like sweeteners, artificial colors, and hydrogenated oils like trans fat. Eating trans fats on a regular basis puts you at a higher risk for heart disease and may interfere with natural healing in the body.

Foods that contain trans fats include fried foods and margarine. Ultra-processed food examples include cookies, crackers, chips, boxed or frozen convenience meals, lunch meat, and hot dogs. For prostate health, it’s recommended to reduce or stop eating these types of foods and replace them with whole foods.

3. Added Sugar

As part of a healthy prostate diet, you should limit the amount of simple sugars you consume, such as sugary sodas, juices, and foods with added sugars or sweeteners. This category also includes sweet foods such as cakes, cookies, and candies. High-sugar foods usually have low nutrient value and are low in fiber. Having too many of these foods may increase cancer cell growth.

4. Alcohol

High alcohol intake puts you at an increased risk for weight gain and some diseases. Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink is also an important part of a healthy prostate cancer diet. The healthiest choice is to cut alcohol out of your diet entirely.

If you do drink alcohol, aim for no more than the equivalent of about six glasses of wine or beer per week. Try to spread consumption over at least a few days, and avoid having more than two in one day. It may also help to have some alcohol-free days.

Note that a standard drink of alcohol is often smaller than many people think. For example, a standard serving of regular beer (5 percent alcohol by volume) is 12 ounces, but a pint contains 16 ounces. A standard serving of most spirits (such as vodka, tequila, and whiskey) is 1.5 ounces, but many cocktails are made with 2 ounces or more.

Prostate Cancer Treatments and Nutrient Interactions

Eating healthy foods can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can promote cancer prevention and other conditions like obesity. It can also help you recover from treatment and feel better. Dietitians recommend a balanced, plant-forward diet that includes at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Focus on colorful fruits and vegetables.

Before making any changes to your diet, check in with your oncology doctor and dietitian. They can tailor their recommendations according to your medical condition, stage of prostate cancer, and any specific treatments such as:

• Prostatectomy (surgery) — Focuses on protein and balanced, nutrient-rich meals
• Radiation therapy — May require less fiber or fat to prevent diarrhea and gas
• Hormone therapy — Focuses on vitamin D and calcium for bone health
• Chemotherapy — Emphasizes softer foods and hydration for nausea, mouth sores, and taste changes

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