The World Health Organization released a report stating that processed meat causes cancer, but before you throw away half of the contents in your refrigerator, it’s important to evaluate the results of this study.
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The study shows, just like many other studies in the past, that eating both processed and red meat in excessive quantities puts you at a higher risk for cancer, especially colon and breast cancer.
For example, someone who eats 100 grams of red meat a day raises their risk of colon cancer by 17%. There is no safe amount of meat to eat. This is why it’s important to add a variety of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. People who eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables will lower their risk of cancer, but won’t eliminate it.
Red meats under the radar include beef, pork, veal, and lamb, as well as processed meats like bacon, ham, hotdogs and sausage. The keyword of the study is “how often” because your risk increases if you eat these meats every single day.
While the study is not telling you to stop eating meat altogether, it is advising people to take control of your diet, by not eating as much. There are things you could do to be healthier, such as to limit your red meat intake. Chicken and turkey are good sources of protein that are low in fat and do not pose a risk to your health like these other types of red meats.
You can also incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Make it a habit of eating something of color on your plate, whether it be green, orange, yellow or even red. These fruits and vegetables will make you fill up, plus many of them have antioxidants that help protect against cancer.
Eating more fish is also another healthy option, plus fish like salmon, has Omega-3 fatty acids, which good for your heart. In addition to fish, there are other things that you can replace red meat with, such as tofu. There are many recipes that you can recreate using tofu or a variety of grains like beans and lentils.
Try a vegetarian recipe one day of the week, this can include veggie burgers or something tasty that the whole family will enjoy. Talk to your spouse and children to get some ideas as to what they would like to eat. Talk to them about eating healthier and get them involved when going grocery shopping.
Red meat is not the enemy, but changing your eating habits is crucial to living a long and healthy life.