This is from the UK – although just as applicable everywhere else. I will include a few key quotes, but can’t fit them all in here:
“The ‘Western’ diet, high in animal and processed foods, is the leading cause of illness and death contributing to high rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and hypertension.
We know from many scientific studies that the longest lived, healthiest populations are those eating a predominantly plant-based diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. ” (Bold added here, not in original text.)
Note the clear inclusion of whole grains and legumes – as far as I know (although I will note that I am not an expert here) no group in history has even promoted a low carb diet (before the current fad). Rice, and beans (and variations including various breads etc), have been staples for most of the world for most of history, and is still being proven to be the healthiest, most environmentally sustainable and cost effective way to eat.
“The World Health Organisation undertook an extensive scientific review of the impact of processed and red meat on health.
The report, published in 2015, concluded that processed meats are a group 1 carcinogen i.e. they cause cancer, and red meat is a group 2a carcinogen i.e. probably causes cancer. Cancer Research UK estimates that 21 percent of colon cancer cases in the UK are caused by eating red and processed meats alone. ” (Bold added here, not in original text.)
Even short of moving to a fully plant-based diet (which I have done, and found surprisingly easy), it is clear that red meat (hamburgers, steak etc) as well as processed meat (bacon, pepperoni, deli meats etc), no longer have a place in a healthy diet. Perhaps the evidence wasn’t as clear or widely dispersed in the past, but it is now, and must be taken into account as food decisions are made in our households, schools, restaurants, hospitals, airlines and other places.
https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/doctors-environment-secretary-michael-gove-meat-balanced-diet
