It may seem like every time you turn on the news you hear something different about what’s healthy and what kind of diet we should adhere to on a daily basis. About a month ago the World Health Organization put bacon, hot dogs and sausage in the same category of cancer risk as tobacco smoking. We do have to admit that most of us likely knew hot dogs were not a health food, but I was a little disappointed when they started picking on bacon. However, it’s always wise to put these new classifications in context.

The studies drawing these conclusions were looking at people who ate processed and red meats on a regular basis. Processed meats refer to meat that has been preserved by curing, salting or adding chemicals such as sodium nitrates. It’s always best to limit foods that are not in their natural state. Cancer is a complex disease and it’s likely not caused by one single factor or food.

The diet that you hardly ever hear people complain about is one that is based on balance and moderation in all natural food groups. Some simple truths do remain. If we eat a diet high in natural plant based foods, fresh lean meats and whole grains we can be making great strides towards a better quality of life.