Food, Fear, and Health Trends: A Doctor’s Guide to What Works if You’re Navigating Cancer or Cancer Risk

At the October 2025 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) in Nashville, Tennessee, one theme stood out: Everyone is looking for a magic longevity potion. But the reality is that there’s no such thing. Instead of reaching for a quick fix, we need to build the foundation of healthy, consistent habits, especially when it comes to the food on our plate.

As a doctor, mama of two kids, and a BRCA1 previvor who has walked my own path through risk-reducing surgeries and premature menopause, I’ve seen how quickly our relationship with food can shift around a major health event. Pregnancy, menopause, a genetic mutation, or a cancer diagnosis can turn a simple, everyday ritual into a storm of doubt and second-guessing.

For many of us navigating breast cancer risk or survivorship, eating can become loaded with fear, especially in a world overflowing with misinformation. We start asking: “Is this food safe? Will this increase my risk? Did I cause my cancer by eating too much of this? Am I a bad mom for feeding my kids this?” The list of doubts and questions goes on — and the rabbit hole of misinformation on social media is real.

Defeat Fear With an Abundance Mindset

I’m here to tell you that true wellness doesn’t come from fear; it comes from abundance. It comes from focusing on the small, everyday habits that stack on top of each other to build the health, energy, and quality of life we envision for ourselves.

An abundance mindset around food means focusing on what we can add to our plate to fuel our bodies, not what we have to cut out. And here’s what I’ve learned over and over again: the more whole foods you start adding to your plate, the more naturally you crowd out the ones you want to limit.

And the most important thing? It’s not what we are eating occasionally that shapes our health; it’s what we are putting into our bodies most of the time.

So here are three current food and health trends — and how I prefer to view them as a lifestyle medicine doctor and BRCA1 previvor.

JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out

I love this one. Right now, people are craving more intentional moments and homemade comfort instead of having their finger on everything that’s going on around them, especially anyone walking through a challenging season of life. And a big part of that comfort comes from food. Delicious bowls of mac and cheese, homemade soups, sourdough bread, and freshly baked cookies all carry feelings of warmth, safety, and nostalgia.

But for cancer survivors and previvors, comfort eating can feel complicated and conflicting. Wellness influencers have sensationalized protein while demonizing healthy carbs and fats, making us feel like we might undo any progress we have made by eating these foods.

But healing starts with trust. Trust that you are giving your body what it needs and knowing that whole-grain pastas, lentil stews, freshly baked sourdough bread, and even oatmeal cookies can all be comforting and healthy at the same time. Perhaps our joy also comes from “missing out” on the guilt, shame, and anxiety over the comfort food on our plate. Comfort and health can coexist beautifully.

So the next time you are craving comfort, instead of restricting, ask yourself this: “How can I add even more nourishment and joy to this meal?”

Beauty From Within

The “beauty from within” trend (collagen in everything, expensive antioxidant supplements, skin-enhancing foods, etc.) is something I have seen everywhere, from my inner circle to celebrities on social media. Yes, most of us want to look young, but what we all really want is to feel young, vibrant, and alive. And that doesn’t just come from the way we look on the outside.

After cancer treatment, surgery, or early menopause, it’s common to experience fatigue, skin changes, and hair loss that can negatively affect confidence and quality of life. And while strategic supplementation may play a role, true radiance is rebuilt slowly — with a whole lot of self-compassion.

When you focus on adding a variety of colorful, high-quality whole plant foods that are rich in fiber, omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, you are naturally rebuilding your gut microbiome, optimizing your metabolic health, and fueling your cells.

While you are rebuilding, give yourself grace. Don’t compare your recovery, your skin, your body, or your energy levels to anyone else’s. Instead, celebrate what your body has carried you through. Every scar is proof that you survived. Every wrinkle is a reminder that aging is (in the end) the greatest gift. Trust me, after years of sitting at the bedsides of dying patients, I know that most of them would have given anything for just a little more time.

Less Biohacking, More Lifestyle Medicine

While the biohacking culture online promises quick fixes and longevity secrets, the real power is hidden in our simple, everyday habits that have stood the test of time. You don’t need expensive wearables and the latest gadgets (yet) if you haven’t set the foundation with how you eat, move, rest, and connect. The “food and lifestyle as medicine” movement is bringing us back to these roots, and it makes me so happy!

• Want more energy? Drink water before drinking caffeine and sugary drinks.
• Want more mental clarity? Try time-restricted eating and pack your plate with fiber-rich plant foods.
• Want better sleep? Aim for seven to eight hours, and turn devices off at least one hour before bed. (I’m very much a work in progress on this one.)
• Want to live longer? Make space to laugh and connect with the people you love.

For women who are at risk for or are recovering from breast cancer, these small shifts can be life-changing. Your lifestyle habits make your body stronger and more resilient, which means you will tolerate treatments better, have less side effects, and maybe even reduce your risk of recurrence down the road.

Before investing in expensive solutions, do a simple lifestyle audit. Let your habits be the prescription you need to live the long life you want.

Achieving True Health Doesn’t Require Perfection

An abundance mindset means aligning science-backed lifestyle habits with everything that is in our control to reduce our risk of disease and create the health we want. So if you’re navigating cancer risk, recovery, or simply trying to live well, here’s your gentle reminder: You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to chase every viral social media trend. You just have to keep showing up for yourself with consistency, compassion, and a spark of joy in the everyday moments.

Because true health is cultivated in the moments of self-love and healthy habits that we practice most of the time.