JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Ann Ogden Gaffney beat cancer -- twice.
The former fashion executive says old-fashioned home-cooking helped her get through chemotherapy.
"I was finding that I was getting through my treatment a lot easier than some of the other people, because I was cooking and could adapt to how I was feeling much easier," Gaffney, 67, said.
Now 10 years in remission, Gaffney continues to eat healthy and is helping others do it too.
She has written a cookbook for people who are fighting cancer.
"All this is really great food that's been organized to help people going through a rotten time," Gaffney said.
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, cancer patients should eat mostly fruits and vegetables, limit red meat and avoid processed meat.
Oncology Nutritionist Bridget Bennett says the biggest dietary challenge is lack of appetite.
"The more natural and whole the food is, the better," Bennett said. "No matter what, people need adequate calories to maintain their weight and maintain their energy, and then enough protein to rebuild tissues that are compromised."
Gaffney says her cookbook is full of easy recipes that patients and caregivers can customize to suit taste and energy level.
Gaffney's husband Joe, who took all the photographs for the book, enjoys the fringe benefits of her research.
"I just eat and do the dishes," Joe Gaffney said, laughing.
While a healthy diet isn't a cure for cancer, eating comfort food can help patients get through the difficult times.
Nutritionists suggest everyone, not just cancer patients, can benefit from this way of eating. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends limiting red meat like beef, pork and lamb to less than 18 ounces per week.
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