The week didn’t start of too well for processed meats. The World Health Organization has put bacon, sausages and hot dogs in the same category as cigarettes. The carcinogenic cancer causing class. Yikes!
We’ve known for a while a diet rich in red meat can lead to clogged arteries and heart problems, but now munching away on bacon regularly can lead to colorectal cancer. Which starts in either the colon or the rectum.
In 2011, the World Cancer Research Fund found a statistically significant, 16 percent increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with each 3.5 ounces of red and processed meat consumed per day. Visually speaking 3.5 is about the size of deck of cards. In its newest evaluation, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has updated the findings. Now eating about 1.8 ounces of processed meat daily will increase the risk of colorectal cancer by about 18 percent.
Pretty shocking in four short years the findings have drastically changed. This scary for yourself or as a parent of a young child. I remember back to when I was kid and Lunchables were just the jam. Parents are rushed in morning trying to get themselves ready. Last thing they want to deal with is a kid who finds lunch gross, and it’s so much easier to give them a prepackaged meal they want.
If your meat has either been modified to extend its shelf life or change the taste through smoking, curing, or adding salt or preservatives, you are officially eating processed meat. The chemicals involved in the processing are what can increase the risk of cancer. High temperature cooking, such as on a barbecue, can also create carcinogenic chemicals. Sad but true. The all American barbecue.
Processed meat has officially been classified as a ‘definite’ cause of cancer (or Group 1 carcinogen) – the same group that includes smoking and alcohol. Group 1 includes bacon, sausages, hot dogs, salami, corned beef, beef jerky and ham as well as canned meat and meat-based sauces.
Red meat is a ‘probable’ cause of cancer (or a Group 2a carcinogen). This is pork, beef, and lamb, but does not include chicken or fish. Up until this week, red meat was top list of the list for foods to avoid, but processed meats has now kicked it to the curb.
You will have those who will say, “I’ve been eating meat for years. My grandfather has been eating meat his whole entire life, and he’s 89!” No one is taking away your processed foods or red meat, but you can’t argue with facts and science. It’s been proven people in the 80’s were skinnier than us eating and exercising the exact same amount. Why? Because of the processed foods we are currently eating.
Life is all about balance. Add some to your life. You don’t have to have meat everyday. There are plenty of simple and easy recipes to replace your lunchtime sandwich, without depriving yourself of nutrients and protein. Meat isn’t the only source of protein out there. Get into a plant based lifestyle, and you’ll be surprised by how much protein you can get.
Try this simple recipe, and open yourself up the possibilities of not eating meat. Trust, you’ll enjoy it, and you won’t be putting any cancer causing processed meats into your body.
- 2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup (packed) chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 cup (packed) chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped onion yellow onions
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- In a salad bowl, lightly mix together the garbanzo beans, black beans, mint, parsley, onion, and grape tomatoes.
- Place the jalapeno pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar into a blender, and blend until thoroughly combined. Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss to mix; sprinkle with salt and black pepper to serve.
Super simple, right? Especially if you have a food processor. Top your balela salad with some lite kefir cheese. I figure if you want to add a little tang, why not make it probiotic? All these simple things you can do to create healthy alternatives. What your grandpa used to eat back in the day, was organic, there was just no need to label it.
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