Red Meats & Saturated Fats

• Red meats, especially those containing higher volumes of saturated fat, are believed to actually increase your chances of colorectal cancer, so limit the amount of red meat you include in your diet. No one can tell you exactly how much meat you should or shouldn't eat; however, the saturated fat it contains is another story. If you're going to eat red meat, stick to the leanest varieties you can find. Actually, a good gauge for the amount of total fat you can include in your diet is less than 20 percent of your total calories.
  
  Besides the fat found in red meats, limit the amount of saturated fat you eat in other products as well as those you use to prepare your foods. Read labels and avoid products that contain saturated fat, and switch to olive oils for sauteing. It's believe that olive oil can actually reduce your chances of developing colorectal cancer.
  
  

Dairy

• While calcium itself may be an important part of preventing colorectal cancer, its main source can actually do the contrary. Since many dairy products can contain a great deal of animal-based saturated fats, switch to low-fat versions of these products. Skim milk, low-fat cheese, low-fat yogurt and low-fat ice cream contain less saturated fat than their "full flavor" counterparts, so get your calcium from these sources rather than the others.
  
  

Fiber

• There is conflicting evidence about the use of fiber to prevent colorectal cancer, but chances still remain high that this soluble substance can go a long way toward decreasing your risk. Include foods that contain high concentrations of fiber. Most fruits and vegetables are rich with the stuff, so incorporate plenty of these products (at least five to six servings a day) into your snacking and meal options. Legumes are also rich in fiber. Even whole-grain products, like cereals and breads, can help to supply you with enough fiber to make a difference in your health.
  
  

Vitamins & Minerals

• Another dietary option to help prevent colorectal cancer is eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals. While fruits and vegetables are great sources of both, there are specific foods that may lend a hand more than others. Broccoli, spinach, cabbage, peas and legumes are all rich in magnesium, a mineral believed to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Beta carotene as well as Vitamins B-6, B-9, C and E, found in abundance in carrots, peas, spinach, potatoes, legumes, broccoli, melons, lemons, oranges, mangoes, papayas and bananas, are also believed to stave off this form of cancer. Tofu, shrimp and cold-water fish, which contain calcium or omega-3 fatty acids, can prevent these abnormal cells from forming. Even garlic is believed to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
  
  

Soy

• We've all heard that soy is a great substance to improve our overall health, but it may actually aid in preventing colorectal cancer, so try to incorporate products containing soy. And because of its health benefits, more and more products are lining the shelves, making it easier to get soy into our diets. Tempeh and tofu are two great sources of soy, yet cereals, cheeses, vegetarian burgers and milk are all now made with soy.