Nokea
The school nurse is teaching a nutrition class in the local high school. One student states that he has heard that certain foods can increase the incidence of cancer. The nurse responds, 'Research has shown that certain foods indeed appear to increase the risk of cancer.' Which of the following menu selections would be the best choice for potentially reducing the risks of cancer?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diet plays a big role in cancer risk. Fruits and veggies, like apricots and broccoli, pack antioxidants (vitamins C, E, carotenoids) that combat oxidative stress and inflammation key cancer drivers. Steaming preserves nutrients, unlike frying, which adds carcinogens (e.g., acrylamide in fried tomatoes). Smoked salmon's salt-curing introduces nitrates, linked to colorectal cancer. Pork chops, a red meat, carry heme iron and saturated fats, boosting risk when cooked at high heat. Liver's high in nutrients but also iron, which in excess may promote cancer. Baked apricot chicken with steamed broccoli sidesteps these pitfalls, offering fiber and phytochemicals that may inhibit tumor growth, making it the nurse's top pick for cancer-preventive eating in teens.