WHO says my bacon is not good for me :-(

Options
Having recently found out that I can have bacon and eggs with baked beans every day and still keep my deficit, I've just read this report regarding processed meats increasing likelihood of colorectal cancer http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34615621.

Could someone please put this into non-scaremongering terms for me, because I've just bought 3 packs on offer!

cg5gdgyampm9.jpg

«13456712

Replies

  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
    Options
    My understanding was that this isn't about red meat as such, but about processed meat?
  • echmainfit619
    echmainfit619 Posts: 333 Member
    Options
    Keep in mind that WHO is largely a political organization.

    Their chief concern is politics not health.
  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
    Options
    Keep in mind that WHO is largely a political organization.

    Their chief concern is politics not health.

    I didn't realise that, thanks! I'll look into their motivation a bit more - when I've finished eating this ;-)
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,626 Member
    Options
    Bacon isn't health food. You already knew that, right? You weren't thinking you were eating something incredibly healthy before, but you were okay with it then.

    Now, you know a little more about why it isn't good for you. That's all that has changed. So, whatever you were thinking before doesn't have to change.

    You just have to choose what you want to eat. I'm not going to say, "You must give up your bacon and eat only the healthiest of foods!" nor will I suggest that you should eat bacon because "Nobody could be happy without bacon!"

    You have to figure out what you want and go with it.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    Options
    I read that your chances of getting colorectal cancer, for an average person, is about 5%. http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention If it is true that bacon raises your risk by 18%, that would take you up to about 6%.

    We make bacon and eggs every morning in my home. I'll risk that for bacon.
  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
    Options
    I don't think of foods in terms of healthy or unhealthy usually. As long as I'm hitting my personal goals it's all good, and if I'm hitting those goals it's healthy for me. I guess this one just hit me a bit more because I've literally only just figured out how to fit it into my day (smaller portions, poached instead of fried egg, microwaved bacon). But you're right, the only thing that's changed is knowledge. I just wanted someone to say "it's ok, eat the bacon" I guess LOL!
  • SwindonJogger
    SwindonJogger Posts: 325 Member
    Options
    Keep in mind that WHO is largely a political organization.

    Their chief concern is politics not health.

    It's not just WHO though:

    Prof Tim Key, Cancer Research UK’s epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, said: “Cancer Research UK supports IARC’s decision that there’s strong enough evidence to classify processed meat as a cause of cancer, and red meat as a probable cause of cancer.


  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
    Options
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I read that your chances of getting colorectal cancer, for an average person, is about 5%. http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention If it is true that bacon raises your risk by 18%, that would take you up to about 6%.

    We make bacon and eggs every morning in my home. I'll risk that for bacon.

    Thank you for putting it into perspective for me! I get checked a lot (I call my colorectal specialist team "The Bum Team" behind their backs), so I'll wait until they tell me that I'm not allowed bacon - and then argue ;-)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,139 Member
    Options
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.

    Your blood work tests for cancer every year?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,139 Member
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.

    Your blood work tests for cancer every year?

    nope, I am just pointing out that bacon can be a part of a health diet.

    and I have follow up tests every year for cancer due to the fact that I am a cancer survivor, and those come back clean too.
  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.

    I'm only having two slices of back bacon a day (similar to what you probably call Canadian bacon), and it's the only processed meat I eat. And yes, it makes me happy so thank you too :-)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,139 Member
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.

    I'm only having two slices of back bacon a day (similar to what you probably call Canadian bacon), and it's the only processed meat I eat. And yes, it makes me happy so thank you too :-)

    then you really have nothing to worry about.

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.

    Your blood work tests for cancer every year?

    nope, I am just pointing out that bacon can be a part of a health diet.

    and I have follow up tests every year for cancer due to the fact that I am a cancer survivor, and those come back clean too.

    That's more clear. Your N=1 OP suggested your blood tests tested cancer (colon cancer etc.)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,139 Member
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.

    Your blood work tests for cancer every year?

    nope, I am just pointing out that bacon can be a part of a health diet.

    and I have follow up tests every year for cancer due to the fact that I am a cancer survivor, and those come back clean too.

    That's more clear. Your N=1 OP suggested your blood tests tested cancer (colon cancer etc.)

    I never said that, you just implied it.

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    edited October 2015
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    i eat two strips a day and blood work comes back perfect every year.

    sounds more food fear mongering by the folks over at WHO, just like they do with sugar.

    Also, a lot of things are related to colon cancer, and I would be curious to read the entire study, and that article does not link to it.

    eat your bacon and be happy. If you were eating a package a day then you might have something to worry about.

    Your blood work tests for cancer every year?

    nope, I am just pointing out that bacon can be a part of a health diet.

    and I have follow up tests every year for cancer due to the fact that I am a cancer survivor, and those come back clean too.

    That's more clear. Your N=1 OP suggested your blood tests tested cancer (colon cancer etc.)

    I never said that, you just implied it.

    I inferred it, from what you implied with your post.
  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
    Options
    I didn't take it as the blood test was for cancer FTR, but then the Bum Team have proved to me that it's more about prodding and poking than blood tests! Just to add, I have neurogenic bladder and bowel, so that's why I get tested a lot.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Options
    I didn't take it as the blood test was for cancer FTR, but then the Bum Team have proved to me that it's more about prodding and poking than blood tests! Just to add, I have neurogenic bladder and bowel, so that's why I get tested a lot.

    Given your health concerns, it might be worth discussing with "the Bum Team". Great name!
  • CurlyCockney
    CurlyCockney Posts: 1,394 Member
    Options
    I didn't take it as the blood test was for cancer FTR, but then the Bum Team have proved to me that it's more about prodding and poking than blood tests! Just to add, I have neurogenic bladder and bowel, so that's why I get tested a lot.

    Given your health concerns, it might be worth discussing with "the Bum Team". Great name!

    Will do, I'm seeing them early December - should have finished the 3 packs of bacon by then!