Days ago, the World Health Organization released findings in which processed meats were categorized as Group 1 carcinogens to humans, the same ranking that is given to asbestos and cigarettes. Additionally, the WHO released findings that people who regularly eat red meat are 18 percent more likely to contract colorectal cancer.
After reading those statistics, I was quick to make a promise to myself that I would attempt to cut way down on my meat intake. However, after a day or so, I forgot my resolution and continued eating my daily ham sandwich guilt-free. It has been a long-known fact that red meat is not exactly healthy for us, with beef, pork and other red meats often being associated with heart disease and other chronic illnesses. However, these foods have become a staple in the traditional American diet, and as a result, we as a society have a hard time cutting them out of our lives. From birth, we are setting ourselves, and our future health, up for failure.
According to the National Chicken Council, the average American consumed 202.3 pounds of livestock and poultry in 2014. The fact that processed and red meats are so prevalent in our culture makes these things more accessible to us; for example, a McDonald’s burger can cost as low as a dollar whereas a side salad from the same kitchen costs upward of four dollars. Also, meatless products such as tofu are much more costly and are not always available in great variety at grocery stores. This low price and convenience allow families who are strapped for cash to fill their bellies at a price they can afford. Families often make the decision to eat meat because of the cost and variety available.
However, maybe it is time that American society makes a change in how we eat. It is no secret that our eating habits are unhealthy; according to the Food Research and Action Center, more than two-thirds of American adults are obese. But how can we make such a monumental change not only in the way we eat but in our culture?
It is almost impossible to completely cut meat out of our diets immediately. As I mentioned earlier, I only lasted a day, even after knowing that I was putting myself at an increased risk for cancer. However, if I were to have educated myself a little more, I could have lasted much longer. Many Americans view vegetarian fare as bland and unfilling and hence don’t often view it as a viable option. But if we were to further educate ourselves, we could embrace healthier living. If more people knew how to use vegetables and other foods to make a filling meal, the taboo of a simple side salad would no longer be associated with meatless foods.
Additionally, grocery stores and restaurants could increase the accessibility to meatless options. Instead of having a measly shelf dedicated to expensive fake meat products, we should encourage people to try new things by showing them a great variety of products that they can actually afford. If the prices were to decrease and the choices of alternative products were to increase, many families would feel more confident in making a change in the way they eat; and often with a small change comes larger long-term change.
Red and processed meats, unsurprisingly, are extremely unhealthy for us to eat as regularly as we do. While it is unrealistic for many to completely cut these things out of our diet, there are small and simple ways to make healthy change in your life. Whether it be simply making a vegetarian meal one night per week or something bigger and more extreme, we as a society should not ignore the negative health impact that red meat has on us in favor of keeping our lives the same. Instead, we should view this as our wake-up call, educating ourselves to eat better today for a healthier tomorrow.
Samantha is a freshman planning on majoring in communication arts and journalism. Will you stop eating red meat? Email us at opinion@dailycardinal.com.
