Butternut Squash Salmon Mixed Rice

This recipe may be recommended for stable cancer survivors, especially colon cancer survivors.

Mixed rice with oats for rice provides softer texture and higher fibre content than brown rice.

High protein, mainly contributed by edamame and salmon. The recipe meets ~40% of daily recommended protein intake (1.2-2g protein per kg of body weight) for cancer patients.¹ 

Salmon: rich source of n-3 fatty acids, modulate host immune function, anti-inflammatory. Opted fish (i.e., salmon) instead of red/processed meat. Increased consumption of red meat is a probable cause of colorectal cancer.

Antioxidant-rich from colourful and varied ingredients (shimeji mushrooms, butternut squash, edamame, oats for rice).

Increased fibre intake, mainly contributed by butternut squash, edamame, oats for rice, shimeji mushroom. Consumption of foods containing dietary fibre probably protects against colorectal cancer. Mechanisms include:

1. promoting SCFA production via gut bacteria fermentation, lowering colon pH which may lower colon cancer risk and reduce formation of carcinogens in particular by butyrate
2. promotes production of good bacteria like lactobacillus
3. reduced time for fecal mutagen/toxins to interact with colon mucosa.

Taste: Natural sweetness from butternut squash. Reduced-sodium light soy sauce to reduce sodium content of the recipe.

References:

1. Van Blarigan, E. L., Fuchs, C. S., Niedzwiecki, D., Zhang, S., Saltz, L. B., Mayer, R. J., Mowat, R. B., Whittom, R., Hantel, A., Benson, A., Atienza, D., Messino, M., Kindler, H., Venook, A., Ogino, S., Giovannucci, E. L., Ng, K., & Meyerhardt, J. A. (2018). Association of Survival With Adherence to the American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors After Colon Cancer Diagnosis: The CALGB 89803/Alliance Trial. JAMA oncology, 4(6), 783–790. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.0126