The Plate That Fights Back

Look, I’ve never been one to jump on a soapbox about food. I mean, I know what broccoli looks like, but I also know exactly how many seconds it takes to microwave leftover curry. But recently, life gave my family an unwanted wake-up call—my incredible wife was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Let me tell you something: nothing will slap you into attention faster than seeing someone you love hit with the C-word. Suddenly, everything—what we have on our plate, how we live, what we assume we can get away with—feels like it deserves a second look.

So here I am. Writing a blog. About cancer-fighting foods. Who would’ve thought?

First of All, Let’s Get One Thing Straight. No food can cure cancer. And in the case of skin cancer specifically, what matters most is protecting your skin—sunscreen, shade, hats, and regular checks with your GP or dermatologist. That’s your first line of defense. But there’s more to the story.

You see, while you can’t eat your way out of skin cancer, you can give your body the nutrients it needs to stay stronger, heal better, and reduce the risk of other types of cancer. A diet packed with the right foods is like a silent support crew—working in the background while you handle the front lines.

The Good Stuff: What We’re Stocking Our Kitchen With

Let me walk you through what’s now regularly turning up in our fridge and plate:

• Cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cabbage. (Yes, I had to learn how to spell that. No, I’m still not excited about Brussels sprouts.)
• Berries, especially blueberries and raspberries, because apparently they come packed with anthocyanins—a fancy word for “cancer-fighting berry magic.”
• Turmeric, which I now try to sneak into everything short of toothpaste. Its active compound, curcumin, is like the Chuck Norris of anti-inflammatories.
• Tomatoes, because lycopene (not a Pokémon) is powerful stuff.
• Green tea, which I now sip and pretend to enjoy while dreaming of coffee.
• Dark chocolate—yes, this one’s real, and no, you don’t need to tell me twice.
• Garlic, even if it guarantees no one sits next to me at work.
• Fatty fish like salmon (omega-3s FTW) and whole grains like quinoa and oats, which I now pronounce confidently, even if I used to think quinoa was “kwee-no-a.”

And the Not-So-Good Stuff (That I’m Learning to Let Go Of). Sorry to the following: bacon, soda, salami, and barbecue everything. You’ve been loyal companions, but it turns out you’ve been a little shady behind the scenes. Processed meats, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods are like party crashers—they show up uninvited and cause damage we don’t see until it’s too late.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Watching someone you love face cancer is a brutal motivator. But it also makes you hyperaware of what might make a difference. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s one leafy green or herbal tea at a time.

This isn’t about guilt or fear. It’s about choice. It’s about loading your plate with things that fuel your body instead of fighting it. And it’s about standing beside someone you love, changing little habits together, and deciding to be proactive—because you can’t control everything, but you can control something.

Protect your skin. Wear the SPF. Get the mole checked. But also—eat the rainbow. Drink the green tea. Snack on the walnuts. Give your body every chance it deserves.

Final Thoughts (Before I Go Make a Smoothie I’ll Pretend Tastes Good)

I’m not here to preach. I’m just here because this hit home, and I needed to do something. If even one person reading this makes a single healthier choice today, then writing it was worth it.

We’re not aiming for perfect. We’re aiming for better. For longer walks, fewer takeaways, and more dinners that taste like a hug.

And if you’re reading this, go hug your person. Then hand them a blueberry.

— Byron 🧡

B-FITT