Can a healthy diet help prevent breast cancer?

By NBCF team

Last updated on Aug 26, 2026

Medically reviewed on Jan 31, 2026

by: Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG

While no diet can fully prevent breast cancer, eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other nutritious foods may help support a healthy weight and overall health. Maintaining a healthy weight, particularly after menopause, may help lower the risk of breast cancer.

A healthy diet includes: 

• A variety of vegetables, including dark green, red, and orange vegetables
• Fiber-rich legumes, such as beans and peas
• Fruits in a variety of colors
• Whole grains

A healthy diet limits:

• Highly processed foods that are high in added sugars, salt, saturated fats, food additives, and preservatives
• Processed meat, such as hot dogs, ham, deli meat, and bacon
• Red meat, including beef, pork, veal, and lamb
• Sugar-sweetened drinks
• Alcohol

Sources:
American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society