The Worst Types Of Meat, According To A Cancer Nutritionist—Plus, 25 ‘Safe’ Proteins You Should Eat Instead

Processed Meats and Cancer Risk

We love bacon, hot dogs, and salami as much as the next person. What's not to love about salty, savory goodness,  especially when it's on a sandwich or stacked with cheese and crackers? The unfortunate truth, though, according to Andrews, is that you may want to think twice before digging into that charcuterie board, especially if you want to lower your risk of cancer.

Processed meats can do a lot of damage to your health for several reasons. In a recent TikTok, Andrews warns that these tasty meats are sadly one of the only foods proven to lead to cancer. Options like hot dogs, deli meats, sausages, and bacon are a major concern.

Processed meats are cured, smoked, or preserved in other ways that can create harmful chemicals like nitrates and nitrites, which can convert into carcinogenic compounds in the body, making them one of the few foods that can increase your risk of cancer. The World Health Organization has even classified processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen. That means there's strong evidence supporting the fact that they could lead to cancer. So the next time you're craving a hot dog, consider if it's worth it.

Healthy protein alternatives

The good thing is that there's no shortage of healthy proteins out there to choose in place of processed meat. Andrews recommends the following:

Chicken breastTurkey breastHalibut SalmonShrimpEggsTofuTempehLentilsChickpeasBlack beansKidney beansQuinoaCottage cheeseGreek yogurtEdamameBeefScallopsProtein powderProtein drinksHemp seedsChia seedsSeitanCow’s milkAlmonds

As she notes throughout her videos, the key to a cancer-preventing diet is choosing whole foods in place of processed options. And while you don't need to go vegetarian, the more plant foods (like fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins) the better.

Happy eating!

READ MORE: The 7 Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Should Start Eating Immediately, According To A Cancer Nutritionist: Chia Seeds, More