My mother used to tell me, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and when it comes to cancer, she’s absolutely right. The best way to fight cancer is to try to prevent it in the first place. This isn’t to say that you can completely prevent cancer from forming because there are several environmental or genetic factors that are out of our control. There are, though, ways to live a healthier lifestyle that can go a long way in limiting the risks.

Avoiding common unhealthy behavior, like not smoking cigarettes, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise are all great steps to ward off cancer. It is crucial to follow a healthy diet when undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy as these therapies can burden the nutrition system in addition to the cancer itself. Another great method is to avoid cancer-causing foods and adopt a balanced diet, which we all understand can have a powerful effect on our overall health. The following snacks into your diet may help prevent cancer and speed recovery for cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiation:

1. Apples

Apples contain polyphenols, which are believed to contain anticancer properties. Polyphenols can prevent inflammation, infections, and cardiovascular disease and research even suggests that they possess tumor-fighting properties, making them an amazing cancer prevention food to add to your diet. Try sliced apples with natural peanut butter for an easy and cancer-fighting snack.

2. Green tea

Once you read all the benefits of drinking green tea, it’s very difficult to convince yourself not to drink it. Green tea is known as a powerful antioxidant and might be helpful in preventing liver, pancreatic, breast, esophageal, lung, and skin cancer. It even contains a nontoxic chemical (epigallocatechin-3 gallate) that acts against an enzyme crucial for cancer growth. What are you waiting for? Boil some water, let it sit for a few minutes, and steep that green tea!

3. Broccoli and cruciferous veggies

Cruciferous vegetables, like cauliflower, kale, and cabbage, contain cancer-fighting properties, but broccoli is the real winner in this category. Broccoli contains a lot of sulforaphane, which is a potent compound that boosts protective enzymes and can flush out other harmful chemicals. It can help fight liver, lung, breast, prostate, stomach, skin, and bladder cancers. Try it with hummus for a protein-packed snack, add it to salads, and even pizza.

4. Fatty fish

Fatty fish is rich in essential nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, and potassium. Research suggests that a few servings a week of fish, such as salmon, anchovies, and mackerel, can lower the risk of digestive tract cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to block the development of cancer, as well. Try some smoked salmon with whole grain crackers, or add some tuna to your salads.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the epitome of cancer prevention foods. They contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant phytochemical that can also prevent other illnesses like heart disease. Tomatoes also provide a source of vitamins A, C, and E, which are all enemies of cancer. Try cherry tomatoes in your salad, dipped in hummus, or pile them on top of a homemade pizza, the options are endless.