I saw on the news tonight that we shouldn't eat ham or bacon if we want to avoid cancer?

I saw that too, but haven't read the report behind it.

I saw it today - here's the summary - to dramatically reduce your risk of cancer, do the following:

The ten WCRF recommendations:

Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight

Be physically active as part of everyday life

Limit consumption of energy-dense foods, and avoid sugary drinks

Eat mostly foods of plant origin

Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat

Limit alcoholic drinks

Limit consumption of salt, and avoid mouldy cereals or pulses

Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone

If a new mother, breastfeed your baby

 

That's pretty much common sense, i guess the ham is the only surprising one.

That was all over the papers wasn't it?  Most of it I could manage, but I'd have to have the occasional bacon sarnie!

What's so bad about processed meats?  Did they say why we shouldn't eat them?

My daughter will be mortified - she loves bacon!

I think these things need to be taken with a grain of salt.  These kind of studies often leave out important information - like how was the data for this study found?  Did they have a test group?  How large a cross-section of the populace?

Anything will give you cancer if you over do it - I heard too much peanut butter will do it.  I think you need to bear in mind that people have been eating ham for years and years and not suffering ill effects - and also really healthy vegan people still get cancers.

It's all about moderation - the odd bacon sarnie won't kill you.  You've only got something to worry about if your overall diet and lifestyle isn't balanced.

I read somewhere that mental state is really importnat in not getting sick, so making yourself miserable by never eating stuff you like is probably as bad as eating it!