What exactly is a “cancer-fighting” food? Well, it’s any food that promotes healthier overall cell function, which can reduce cancer cell growth. The food we eat breaks down into macronutrients and micronutrients which provide fuel for our cells. While all cells need fuel to function, certain fuels have properties that can help fight cancer.
Eat the rainbow! This salad features a variety of complex carbohydrates with strong color pigments, like pomegranate, greens, and garlic. The pigments in these ingredients act as powerful antioxidants to neutralize cancer-causing free radicals, and they taste pretty good, too.
Serves 4
ingredients
SALAD:
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- ½ small radish, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup white onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup pea shoots
- ½ cup golden beets, canned or raw, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, shelled
DRESSING:
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup cashews
- 1 whole avocado, cut in half, with skin and pit removed
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 10-15 basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ cup water (plus more for thinning)
- juice of 1½ lemons
- salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Directions
- If preparing raw beets, fill a saucepan with water and put whole beets into the water, making sure they are completely submerged. Heat on high and bring to a boil.
- Boil for 2 minutes and reduce heat to low. Let the beets cook in water for approximately 1 hour, or until a fork can easily pierce the skin. Once cooked, let the beets cool in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. When the beets are cooled, use a paper towel to rub off the skin, or use a knife to peel. Once the skin is removed, cut in half and chop into 1-inch slices.
- Toss all of the salad ingredients together.
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. It will be thick once blended, so alternate between 2-parts water and 1-part olive oil until it is a pourable consistency.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss before serving.
Maria Tripodis, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., is the founder of Rebel Nutrition. Through evidence-based practice, she promotes healthy habits, balanced diets, and self-confidence to help clients feel empowered to move past barriers to reach optimal health.
