Processed meats linked to cancer

Montserrat Rivera
Staff Writer

      To some, it comes as no surprise that meat is not good for you. Vegetarians and vegans have been saying for years that meat is bad, not just health wise but morally. On Oct. 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced, processed meats (hot dogs, bacon, sausages, etc.) are linked to causing colorectal cancer. Red meat also has the possibility to cause higher risk in pancreatic and prostate cancer. Their risk of causing cancer is so high that the WHO placed processed meats in the same category as smoking.

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      Most meat lovers were devastated by the news while others say they still will not give up their precious meats. So, the WHO recommends that if you absolutely must have your meat to “select lean cuts and eating smaller portions.” The American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity recommends “preparing meat, poultry, and fish by baking, broiling, or poaching, rather than frying or charbroiling to reduce the formation of carcinogens during the cooking process.” Meat is a large part of most people’s diets, so giving it up is hard. If you’re going to have your meats, you should have them the right way.