Another day, another health scare about what we eat.
This time it’s around processed meat. Scientists are warning us that eating just one-and-a-half sausages or two rashers of bacon a day could increase the risk of cancer by up to 18 per cent.
Add to that list of nasties to avoid in your daily diet: three hot dog sausages, two Pepperami, or two thick slices of ham.
So, it’s just the processed stuff that we have to beware of this week? No, red meat too has fallen foul of the boffins, with the World Health Organisation finding that eating 100g of red meat a day – a 9oz steak – could increase the risk of some cancers by about 17 per cent.
But isn’t red meat good for us? Well, yes, it’s a natural source of protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins too.
It really is a minefield, knowing what to indulge in, or leave out of the shopping trolley.
If it’s not meat, then coffee or red wine are usually highlighted for either:
a) sending us to an early grave, or
b) being full of good stuff that prevents illness.
As usual with these things, moderation is the key. A glass of wine with your meal; a couple of cups of coffee to get your day started accompanied by a sizzling sausage sandwich. These are the treats that make life worth living.
Just don’t glug a bottle of Shiraz all to yourself in one sitting, drink a dozen cups of strong coffee to get you through a testing project, or eat a full cooked breakfast every day.
What’s the old saying? ‘A little of what you fancy does you good.’