Eating Well Through and Beyond Cancer Webinar with Laura Pole

In this practical and engaging webinar, Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS, shares evidence-based guidance on eating well through and beyond cancer. Drawing from her clinical expertise and the CancerChoices resource platform, Laura offers clear, actionable advice on how nutrition choices can improve overall wellness, make the body less hospitable to cancer, and support people through treatment and recovery. Her warm, accessible approach balances scientific rigor with real-world practicality, acknowledging the challenges of changing eating habits during cancer care.

Highlights include:

1. Four foundational nutrition principles that anyone can apply: there are no universally “good” or “bad” foods; you can’t eat dogma; Michael Pollan’s framework of “eat real food, not too much, mostly plants”; and the power of vegetables as some of the most health-supportive foods available.
2. The terrain approach to cancer care: understanding your body as soil where cancer (like a weed) thrives less in healthy conditions. Laura explains “active holistic surveillance,” a concept that empowers people to actively improve their body’s terrain through nutrition, potentially preventing or managing symptoms and supporting long-term health.
3. Practical guidance on plant-based eating, clarifying that “plant-based” doesn’t mean plants only—it means plants form the foundation of your diet. The Mediterranean diet serves as an excellent model, incorporating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, healthy oils, and moderate amounts of fish.
4. Evidence on key dietary factors including fiber’s role in supporting the microbiome and potentially improving immunotherapy response, the importance of phytonutrients from colorful produce, and strategies for reducing inflammation through food choices. Laura addresses common questions about organic versus conventional produce, protein sources, and managing treatment side effects.
5. Thoughtful discussion of popular dietary approaches including ketogenic diets, with honest assessment of current evidence and important caveats—emphasizing that restrictive diets should be undertaken with professional guidance from integrative oncologists or specialized dietitians who can individualize the approach and monitor outcomes. Laura stresses the importance of maintaining adequate calories and muscle mass, especially during active treatment.

Learn more