A doctor has named two foods she would never keep in her fridge at home, and they are British staples bought by many every week. Controlling your diet is one of the most effective ways you can try to reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancers, as well as quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol and getting more exercise. When it comes to your diet and your risk of bowel cancer, which is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK, there are certain things to avoid or cut down on.
Dr Asiya Maula is a private GP at The Health Suite, and listed things she would never keep in her home in an effort to reduce her risk of developing cancer. When it comes to meat, she said that processed meat like sausage and bacon should not be eaten regularly. Cancer Research UK highlights research that says that chemicals either naturally found in meat or added during processing can damage cells in the bowel, and the accumulation of this damage can increase the risk of cancer.
“Bacon and sausages do not need to be banned completely, but they are best treated as occasional foods rather than everyday breakfast staples,” Dr Maula told the Daily Express. “Both are processed meats, and regularly eating processed meat is associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer.
“Many products are also high in salt and saturated fat, which can contribute to raised blood pressure and higher LDL cholesterol – two important risk factors for heart disease.
“There is no completely risk-free amount of processed meat when it comes to bowel cancer, but risk is shaped by how much and how frequently somebody eats it over time. An occasional bacon sandwich or sausage meal within an otherwise balanced diet is very different from eating processed meat every morning.”
She added that UK guidance advises people consuming more than 90g of red and processed meat a day to reduce their average intake to 70g. However, she points out that this figure is “a maximum combined average rather than a target to reach, and portion sizes vary considerably between products, so checking the packet is useful”.
“My practical advice is to avoid building every breakfast around bacon or sausages,” she continued. “Rotate them with eggs, porridge, yoghurt, fruit, beans or wholegrain toast, and add vegetables or other fibre-rich foods where possible.
“When buying sausages, compare labels and choose options lower in salt and saturated fat, with a higher meat content.
“Nobody should feel frightened or guilty about enjoying these foods occasionally. It is the repeated pattern that matters most: smaller portions, less frequent consumption and a diet containing plenty of fibre-rich plant foods are sensible ways to protect both bowel and cardiovascular health.”
Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK lists several ways people can cut down their processed or red meat intake to reduce their bowel cancer risk. Steps include enjoying a ‘meat-free Monday’, finding recipes that use chicken, fish or pulses, and paying attention to portion sizes.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
