I imagine nobody would give their kid a cigarette. But would you feed your kid a hot dog, bacon or other processed meat? What if you knew that processed meats and cigarettes were both classified as Class 1 carcinogens from the World Health Organization?
The World Health Organization has determined that eating processed meat, such as bacon, hot dogs and deli meats, causes colorectal cancer and has classified it as “carcinogenic to humans” (Class 1). Class 1 ranks as the riskiest cancer causing products, which also include cigarettes! Consuming only a couple slices of bacon or deli meat daily increases colorectal cancer risk by 18%.
Let me play out a common scenario here in our country. A parent brings their child to a ballgame. In the park, a guy wearing a hot dog or bacon costume, is selling hot dogs, bacon cheese fries, bacon chips and all things bacon. The child learns to associate these foods with fun, with America’s favorite sport, with family, and that child grows up with a taste for food that causes cancer in exactly the same way that cigarettes cause cancer.
Some of you may be in disbelief, but it is a fact that processed meats cause cancer. So what can we do about it since it’s EVERYWHERE in our culture? Take a stand for your health and the health of your family. Turn to plant based options that are not on the World Health Organization’s list of cancer causing foods.
Plant based meats are becoming more and more popular. You can get almost any kind of meat substitute you can think of – jerky, pepperoni, deli meat, hot dogs, sausage…the list goes on.
While these are better than their animal counterparts, if you’re looking to improve nutritional value, here are a few affordable, clean meat swaps to try.
Clean Meat Substitutes
Tempeh – A soybean-based plant protein that is great for making into “bacon” and adding to your BLT sandwiches. Or make a sausage crumble to top your pizza or add to lasagna.
You can find tempeh in almost all grocery stores nowadays.
Jackfruit – Despite its status as a tropical fruit, jackfruit surprisingly makes another good substitute for meat. It is most often used as a pork substitute such as barbecue pulled pork or a vegan carnitas. It also works great shredded and added to chili. It’s sold canned and you can find it at Trader Joe’s or most Asian grocery stores.
Tofu – Arguably the most versatile of any vegan foods (perhaps any food in general). Tofu can be seasoned and cooked to replace chicken, pork, meat, eggs and so much more. Even if you don’t like it one way, never give up on it, because you may find that with an open mind it can be used to recreate your favorite meals. My kids favorite way to eat it is cubed, seasoned and air fried.
If you’re ready to make the cancer-free meat switch, reach out to me and I can help get you started. Look for several simple recipes on my website coming soon!
Don’t stress it, take it one meal at a time. Reduce the amount of processed foods you bring into your home. Colorectal cancer is on the rise with younger people. But this is a battle you can win in the kitchen!