As colon cancer cases rise, here's what a gastroenterologist eats

What does a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in the gut and digestive system, eat on the regular?

With colorectal cancer being one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and the number of cases among people under 50 increasing, USA TODAY asked award-winning gastroenterologist Dr. Arun Swaminath to break things down.

According to the ACS Cancer Facts & Figures 2024 report, around 55% of colorectal cancers might be able to be traced to a few potential risk factors, such as lack of exercise, excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, excess body weight and diet − including eating lots of red and processed meats, and not consuming enough calcium, whole grains and fiber.

While too much red meat is associated with adverse health outcomes, it now sits on top of the newly-flipped food pyramid, which can make guidance confusing for Americans.

Swaminath, the chief of gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, points out people aren't cooking at home as much. "(Our food is) prepared, packaged. It's got preservatives, it's got emulsifiers, and there is excellent data on how these molecules affect the barrier between the gut and the immune system," he said.

As a vegetarian, Swaminath already avoids meat, but he says his job still impacts how he eats − and he tries to follow the same advice he gives patients, including staying away from high-fat foods.

"You want to go toward a diet like a Mediterranean, broad-based diet, minimizing red meat, focusing on white meat, focusing on fish and avoiding drinking too much alcohol," he said.

Swaminath recognizes that due to busy lives, accessibility issues and more, healthy eating is "never going to be perfect." Here's a look at what he typically eats.

What a gastroenterologist eats for breakfast

On regular days. Breakfast is just coffee, though he admits his dietitian says, "that's terrible decision." He takes his morning cup with a little bit of lactose-free milk and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar − "just to take the bitterness out."

On busy days. When he knows "lunch is going to be very iffy" due to a packed patient and procedure schedule, he opts for coffee with an egg and toast. "Because I'm Indian, we've always got some type of green chutney, so I put that as my layer between the bread and the egg, and it's got a delicious flavor," he adds.

On the weekend. Bagel, egg and cheese − or a breakfast burrito and hash browns, "if my kids are demanding it," he said.

What a gastroenterologist eats for lunch

On regular days. Lunch is usually a salad from Sweetgreen or another grab-and-go place near his office. "That tends to be really filling, and it's a decent source of protein and fat and fiber," Swaminath said. "And it tastes pretty good." If he gets hungry before that, he'll reach for a pre-portioned bag of trail mix with cashews, almonds and more.

On busy days. He doesn't often have time for lunch on these days, but when he does, he gets whatever vegetarian option is in the cafeteria that day, which is typically some type of vegetable sandwich.

On the weekends. Vegetarian sandwiches.

What a gastroenterologist eats for dinner

On regular days. Dinner often includes dahl − an Indian dish made from lentils or other legume − and roti, a type of flatbread and sometimes rice. He's also a fan of Indian-style beets cooked in salt, turmeric and coconut. "And to my shock and surprise, my kids like it. So I've started to make this now weekly," he said.

On busy days. Dahl, tacos or tofu- or quinoa-based dishes.

On weekends. Leftovers or a meal out with friends.

What a gastroenterologist eats for a treat

Fridays are "cheat nights" for Swaminath's family − "We always get pizza."

"We're usually watching a family movie together, and it's probably the only time my kids see me have any soda," he said, but adds they only ever get the mini cans.

And if he's wanting something sweet, cereal acts as his dessert − just a small bowl, "like a scoop of ice cream equivalent," while making it clear to his kids this is a treat, not a meal.