SurvivorNet

Singer-Songwriter Christina Aguilera, 43, Is ‘Embracing’ Her Body After Losing 40lbs By Cutting Alcohol & Eating a Vegetable Rich Diet

By Danielle Cinone,

5 days ago

How Weight Loss Is Beneficial When It Comes To Fighting Cancer

Singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera reportedly dropped weight by cutting out alcohol, restricting her caloric intake, exercising a lot, and eating a fruit and vegetable-rich diet. Remember, although her diet may not be far from what SurvivorNet experts or U.S. government agencies like the CDC or the OASH recommend, anyone looking to lose weight should go about the best way to do so with the advice of a health professional.
As millions of people across the U.S. who are trying to lose weight, whether for appearance or health reasons, it’s important to understand that as per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025, a healthy eating plan consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, a variety of protein foods, and a diet low of added sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.
It’s also important to understand that being overweight or obese is clearly linked to an overall increased risk of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. One of our experts say “losing weight is a great way to reduce one’s risk” for cancers. Conditions caused or exasperated by obesity like diabetes and heart disease can pose problems for people who’ve already been diagnosed with cancer.
If you’re thinking about cutting back on your alcohol consumption or giving it up, like Aguilera reportedly did, you should also take into consideration the effects alcohol can have on your cancer risk.

Singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera, who rose to fame after her hit song "Genie in a Bottle" was released in 1999 and has recently been performing at her Las Vegas concert residency, reportedly lost a whopping 40 pounds back in 2013 and she's been embracing her body ever since. However, although her food intake may not be far from what government agencies and SurvivorNet experts recommend, there's no evidence that the "Rainbow Diet" she went on is completely safe. The 43-year-old Grammy Award-winner and mom of two was reported to have lost the significant amount of weight through a fruit and vegetable-rich eating regime based consuming foods of a specific color, called the "Rainbow Diet," and restricting her maximum caloric intake to a maximum of 1600 calories, according to Hello Magazine

. At one point she ate a variety of fruits and vegetables of every day, based on their colors, and ultimately decided to stop drinking alcohol and exercised often, as per reports. Eating a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is often recommended by health professionals, but it's important to understand that fad diets are not the answer to weight loss. The American Cancer Society suggests aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day. It's clear she's come a long way since she was arrested for public intoxication in 2011, at age 30, when a source told US Weekly, "Her drinking is out of control," the Daily Mail reported. However, Aguilera has never addressed the prior drinking allegations.

In an earlier interview with US Weekly, the "Dirty" singer said, "I’m not into depriving myself, I limit the bad foods that I like." Additionally, InTouch Weekly also noted that Aguilera reportedly does cardio up to five times a week, alongside yoga, strength training, and boxing. More than a decade ago, Aguilera offered more insight into her fluctuating weight loss over the years to

Marie Claire , saying "I've been through my highs, I've been through my lows. I've been through the gamut of all things in this business. Being too thin. Being bigger. RELATED: 30 Pound Transformation for 90s Talk Show Ricki Lake; How She Overcame ‘Debilitating’ Hair Loss & Got Healthy "I've been criticized for being on both sides of the scale. It's the noise I block out automatically. I love my body. My boyfriend loves my body. My son is healthy and happy, so that's all that matters to me."

Expert Resources On Healthy Living

At the time she admitted she no longer checks her body weight or restricts her diet, in an effort to have a healthier mindset about her appearance. During the interview, Aguilera shared that she's stopped using scales and restricting her diet, adding, "I have certain physical features that I favor over others. We all have our areas. RELATED: Portrait of Strength & Courage: Amy Armstrong Has A Remarkable Story About The Importance Of Being Proactive About Your Health "When I worked on Burlesque, I lost so much weight that I was too skinny. I don't weigh myself — it's all about how I feel in my clothes. What looks good on one person might not look good on another body type." "I happen to be very confident in my own skin. It takes time to get to that place, but it's all about embracing yourself and your body," she concluded.

Helpful Health Tips

There has been huge amount of evidence from government agencies, like the CDC, and sources that we respected that recommend anyone trying to lose weight to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat free or low-fat milk and milk products, as well as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Additionally, it's been recommended to eat foods and beverages with minimal saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol, as well as low salt and added sugars. The CDC also advises health professionals to share with patients the following resources, " DietaryGuidelines.gov and MyPlate.gov," for additional advice.

How Lifestyle Affects Cancer Risk

When it comes to trying to prevent a cancer diagnosis or recurrence, there are a few factors to consider. Making sure we are healthy is important for our everyday lives, and that means prioritizing a healthy diet and consistently being active. Although there’s been no scientific evidence to prove a certain diet or amount of exercise causes or prevents cancer, there is a definite link. For example, among the women who exercised regularly, their risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer dropped by 12%. As for diet, it’s recommended to practice moderation as much as possible. Cancer risk can be linked to consuming high amounts of sugar, carbs, and overcooked processed meats. That’s why it’s important to balance your cravings with nutritious foods such as dark green, red and orange vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. By making sure you eat a balanced diet, this can decrease inflammation which is often associated with cancer risk. RELATED: The ‘Pandemic Lifestyle’ of Little Exercise, High Carbs, & Lots of Drinking Puts Us At Extra Risk of Cancer; Here Are Ways To Check Yourself The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk In addition to affecting your cancer risk, lifestyle can play an important role in going through active cancer treatment as well. While it’s important to not lose weight while going through certain treatments such as chemotherapy, a healthy diet can strengthen your immune system which can help you push through treatment. Additionally, doing light exercises such as yoga can also lend itself as a stress reliever, which is helpful for one’s emotional health. RELATED: Major Reduction in Cancer Risk by Following Old Standbys Diet and Exercise “Diet, exercise, and stress control are extremely important when going through both cancer therapy, as well as once you’re done treating your cancer and trying to get back to the rest of your life," Dr. Sairah Ahmed , a medical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, previously told SurvivorNet. Dr. Ahmed added, "You want to have a moderate diet where you’re including lots of fruits and vegetables, but you’re still eating fat and protein. You want to maintain physical exercise. "The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the less side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life." Meanwhile, studies have shown that diet can influence cancer prevention. Heavy alcohol consumption and obesity have been linked to a number of cancers, so it’s a good idea to exercise and maintain a diet that incorporates more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while decreasing sodium and added sugar intake. How Can Diet Affect My Cancer Risk? Sugar, specifically, has attracted a lot of attention for a possible role in cancer, but overwhelming medical evidence finds that sugar does not cause cancer. SurvivorNet has previously found that credible sources such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center all came to that same conclusion as well. But there is still some debate on the subject. Dr. Brian Berman, director of the center for integrative medicine at the University of Maryland, believes sugar does, in fact, fuel cancer. Below we have shared his views not because it is of equal scientific weight to the sources cited above, but rather because it is a view that does get a lot of attention and press. Sugar, The Western Diet And Cancer Prevention There’s also articles that often get published saying “this fruit” or “that vegetable” is the magical cure to cancer. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily the case. Leading oncologists say it is always hard to use studies of a single food to make sweeping generalizations about their impact on health. There is a variety of factors that can determine health risk and it is difficult, and perhaps impossible, to say that a single food such as mushrooms can have a direct impact on cancer risk. Many other factors such as overall diet, environmental risk, genetics and exercise play a role.

Making Decisions On Alcohol Consumption & Tips To Help You Avoid It

It’s important to note that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing these cancers, but it doesn’t necessarily cause these cancers. That being said, it’s hard to know what to do if you’re concerned about your alcohol intake increasing your risk of various cancers. Dr. Heather Yeo previously stressed the importance of moderation, telling SurvivorNet, “For women, anything over a half a glass or a glass a day is probably not helping your overall health. For men, they can probably go one to two glasses before they start seeing health effects.” RELATED: Alcohol Consumption Increases Cancer Risk. Less Booze Is Associated With Lower Cancer Risk, New Data Adds To The Case For Moderation If you happen to struggle with alcohol in times of stress, Victoria Martin’s story may inspire you. Martin is a breast cancer survivor and wellness coach who used her own experience to help others with alcohol addiction. Speaking to SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, Martin shared some helpful tips and actionable steps people can use to help break unhealthy habits and cope with stress without alcohol.

Mindset: Instead of looking at it like this is something you have to give up, try making a tiny shift in your language and thinking that still feels true. Have an open mind and think about what you will gain and learn, rather than approaching from deprivation.
Be Curious: What would it feel like to experience some new thoughts and feelings to replace the worn-out ones? It is empowering to realize that you can change your patterns and see what is on the other side.
Understand This is Not the Garden of Eden: Thinking of anything as a “forbidden fruit” creates even greater cravings, feelings of resentment, and deprivation. You are simply getting curious and creating changes that you get to make. Also, emotional attachments to our habits are very real, so it is perfectly healthy to acknowledge and honor these feelings.
Create a Toolbox: Habits that no longer serve us, did serve a purpose at some point, and that is part of why we use them past their expiration date. You may be surprised at how uncomfortable some moments can be, but you can learn tools and tactics that will make it easier than staying stuck.
Find Your People: You are not alone. Luckily, there is strength in numbers and a community where you can connect with people who understand what it is like. Sharing your experience won’t just help you feel less alone, but you will be helping others.
Drop the “Shoulds”: One of the quickest ways to be defeated is by “shoulding ourselves.” Expecting to be perfect and tearing ourselves down will only lead to our maladaptive habits gaining more of a foothold. Practice speaking to yourself the way you would speak to a friend and see how kindness gets you moving in the right direction.