So what to do about the Meat Problem?
As someone who has been advocating a whole food diet for quite some time, I can assure you this is not new information and it saddens me that just now it comes out to public attention. Why does it have to be when “some study” is done to get the world’s attention. Regardless, it did and that is a good thing, but how can we look at this critically. How can we take this information and apply it to ourselves, our own lives or even people that you may know.
The situation is this: Processed meats such as corned beef, sausages can cause colorectal cancer. Which, if you are up to date on your readings, documentaries and books, you’ll know that this been sited many times. Now all of the sudden this is mainstream information. Many of us who are “in the know” or actively seeking “health” knowledge likely had an idea of this already but “many” don’t ( those consuming processed meat several times a day) or even if they do, don’t have access to the information to show them the alternatives or simply just don’t want to listen or take responsibility for their health.
Part of my mission of what I do, is to help you make better choices with the information you have . How can you live a cleaner, healthier life that is more plant based? That’s it, it’s that simple. Eat more plants and eat less meat.
So let’s break this down:
- Processed Meat is not Meat: Let’s first look that the problem of what processed meat is. Processed meat has been modified to either extend its shelf life or change the taste and the main methods are smoking, curing, or adding salt or preservatives. Simply putting beef through a mincer does not mean the resulting mince is “processed” unless it is modified further. Processed meat includes bacon, sausages, hot dogs, salami, corned beef, beef jerky and ham as well as canned meat and meat-based sauces. If eating meat is part of your paradigm, then it’s your duty to focus on organic, grass fed and naturally raised meats that are actually real, whole and not processed.
- Eat less Meat: Whether or not meat is included in your diet, meat should not be a focal point, nor should it be consumed everyday. This study is focused on those individuals that are eating some form of processed meat everyday or most days of the week. This is not natural, this is not clean. So again I state if you choose to consume any meat at all – keep it organic and maybe consume it three to five times during the week instead of everyday. Plan to spend your dollars on the good stuff. Just because processed meat is widely available and easy to access, doesn’t mean that you have to give in. Clean and healthy foods are not only easy to make but easy to access as well. You can make the change, you can make the difference in your health today. Eat more vegetarian, it’s not that bad!
- Many Things cause Cancer: Now that it has been “confirmed” officially that processed meat causes cancer, we can add it to the list along with smoking, alcohol and pollution. Processed meats also happens to fall into the category of things that we do have control over, just like the rest of them so it’s up to you to decide just how toxic you want to live your life. What is going into your next meal or your next days worth of food. How clean do you want to live? How badly do you want to minimize your risk of cancer?
- Eat More Plants: Of course I end here. This is what it all comes down to and comes back to. How can you make plants the priority, whether you are paleo, gluten free or an “infrequent” fast food eater. Where do your veggies come in. How often? In what form? Are they green? It’s easy enough to make these colourful gems of the plant kingdom come to life on your plate – it’s just a matter of learning how. The good thing is that my whole mission is to help you find your way into making plants the priority on your plate whether there is meat, fish, chicken or all veg, it always comes back to plants.
How to get started:
Get your hands on my book Plant Based Diet for Dummies Today!
Come to an upcoming Plant Powered Cooking Class
Get My 30 Day Plant Powered Meal Plan
Join me on Nov. 7th in Windsor with Dr. Esselstyn
Join me for some Mind Body and Soul on Nov 21st Wishing Well Sanctuary
Join me on Nov 27th- 29th Whole Life Expo : Plant Based Meals for Busy People! My top 10 Tips
Listen to The Ultimate Health Podcast
If you want to eat meat and enjoy it too then check out my new favourite restaurant on my Toronto list, BAREBURGER – also available in other states in the USA. Not to worry my plant based friends, they have amazing veggie burgers, gluten free buns and sweet potato fries. That’s my epic veg burger in the pic!
