November 22, 2016 | 2 minute read

Your Thanksgiving table is full of traditional foods that promote good health and reduce the risk of cancer. We’ve picked our 5 favorite recipes with cancer-fighting foods that the whole family will love. How many of these can you fit in your spread this year?

1. Cranberries: These bright red gems contain vitamin C, dietary fiber and anthocyanins, compounds well-studied for their cancer-fighting properties.

Try our Cranberry Salsa.

2. Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes with their orange flesh are packed with beta-carotene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties that may inhibit cancer cell growth and improve immune response. The brighter the orange color of the flesh, the more beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes also are rich in vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

Try our Sweet Potato Wedges with Rosemary.

3. Green beans: Cooked green beans contain 4 grams of cancer-preventive fiber per cup, plus some vitamin A and potassium. This casserole dish also features mushrooms, which contain the mineral selenium and compounds called ergosterols; both substances may help to reduce cancer risk.

Try our Healthy Green Bean Casserole.

4. Whole grains: All whole grains contain fiber. There are several ways fiber may lower risk, including promoting healthful bacteria growth. Whole grains may also help with weight control; excess body fat increases the risk of eleven cancers.

Try our Whole-Wheat Walnut Bread.

5. Apples: High in fiber, particularly pectin fiber, apples help gut bacteria produce compounds to protect colon cells. Apples also are rich in the phytochemicals quercetin and epicatechin, which researchers are studying for their role in cancer protection.

Try our Easy Baked Apples with Walnuts and Raisins.

For more holiday recipe ideas, check out our seasonal recipe section. What are you cooking up this week? Let us know in the comments!

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