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Original poster

To not have known that deli chicken is a level 1 carcinogen

208 replies

nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 20:42

Am feeling fairly stupid about this but only just realised that deli chicken / turkey are considered level 1 carcinogenic processed meats so linked to negative health effects incl. cancer. The examples used are typically ham, sausages, bacon, salami etc so I just assumed red meat for some reason. The deli chicken that we eat was labelled 100% natural and only contained chicken, potato starch, salt and vinegar but it now looks like it’s almost bad as the rest.
Does everyone know things like this and what do people put in kids lunches? (And yes I know it’s all about daily / excessive consumption etc etc)

OP posts:
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Mumoftwo1316 · 25/08/2024 22:23

HeyMicky · 25/08/2024 22:16

A note: that ranking refers to the strength of evidence for the hazard, but does not include risk.

So there is lots of evidence for processed meats increasing this risk of, say, colorectal cancer, but that does not have the same level of risk as smoking does of causing lung cancer.

Asbestos and deli chicken are both level 1 carcinogens but I know who which I'd prefer in a sandwich

That's good to know.

The problem is many people need simpler messaging than that, as shown on this thread. It's a dunning kruger issue.

There is really no need to remove all processed meat from one's diet. Having an over-restricted diet has its own proven issues.

Eat a large variety of foods, lots of vegetables, meats and starchy staples high in fibre, don't overthink it too much, and you can't go far wrong.

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 22:20

HeyMicky · 25/08/2024 22:16

A note: that ranking refers to the strength of evidence for the hazard, but does not include risk.

So there is lots of evidence for processed meats increasing this risk of, say, colorectal cancer, but that does not have the same level of risk as smoking does of causing lung cancer.

Asbestos and deli chicken are both level 1 carcinogens but I know who which I'd prefer in a sandwich

@HeyMicky that’s a great thing to remember … ranking refers to the strength of evidence for the hazard, but does not include risk. Thank you.

OP posts:
VaccineSticker · 25/08/2024 22:19

I used to have meat deli as a child, but now we don’t buy them for the above reasons, but it really helps that my kids don’t like them either.

HeyMicky · 25/08/2024 22:16

A note: that ranking refers to the strength of evidence for the hazard, but does not include risk.

So there is lots of evidence for processed meats increasing this risk of, say, colorectal cancer, but that does not have the same level of risk as smoking does of causing lung cancer.

Asbestos and deli chicken are both level 1 carcinogens but I know who which I'd prefer in a sandwich

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 22:02

FumingTRex · 25/08/2024 21:42

Oh blimey i didn’t know that. But it must be better than ham. Its white meat made without nitrites. The sort i buy is not ultra processed. I appreciate fresh is better but there arent many other options for DS.

@FumingTRex I know! Maybe the red meats are used as an example as it’s a double whammy?

OP posts:
Planesmistakenforstars · 25/08/2024 21:48

Ohfuckwhatdoidonow · 25/08/2024 20:58

You'll be fucked off when you read about the pesticides on fruit and veg being carcinogenic too.

Chicken, cook a whole one or two for sandwiches, but then the bread...
And if you're not using proper butter...

It's all a bit doomy tbh

And fortunately this is mumsnet so if you cook one or two whole chickens just for sandwiches it will last for about 6 months.

BobbyBiscuits · 25/08/2024 21:46

Deli chicken from the supermarket is grim. The packaged one smells like farts!
Tinned tuna or just cook a chicken or breast the night before. But I honestly don't care if bacon and salami are carcinogenic because they're too tasty!

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 21:45

Webbymeister · 25/08/2024 21:09

@nevertearusapart yes, imagine my delight to discover that lazy girl microwave rice is okay

😀always a silver lining

OP posts:
RandomUsernameHere · 25/08/2024 21:42

Yes it's any processed meat unfortunately. In my DCs' sandwiches I pretty much always put egg, cheese or chicken breast (fresh chicken breast and just chuck it in the oven or air fryer) on homemade bread. Luckily they love all those things.

FumingTRex · 25/08/2024 21:42

Oh blimey i didn’t know that. But it must be better than ham. Its white meat made without nitrites. The sort i buy is not ultra processed. I appreciate fresh is better but there arent many other options for DS.

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 21:41

I wish there was a reset button on parenting!

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Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 21:33

muggart · 25/08/2024 21:29

The deli chicken that we eat was labelled 100% natural and only contained chicken, potato starch, salt and vinegar but it now looks like it’s almost bad as the rest.

I was under the impression that processed meats were bad because of the additives and nitrates/ nitrates. Do I have that wrong? I would have thought that chicken is fine too.

@muggart thanks for posting, feel less lonely now! Apparently it’s the processing that releases the nitrates/nitrites, regardless of whether it’s with potato starch, salt or additives.

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SummerSplashing · 25/08/2024 21:31

Ok, so whose going to tell me what's wrong with marmite??

(add lettuce, cucumber)

I presume it's high in salt, but other than that???

(im exceedingly low carb so sandwiches aren't part of my regular diet these days, but I do miss marmite sandwiches)

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 21:31

@Emotionalsupporthamster well, it’s up there with air pollution and smoking but different degree of risk I guess.

@LegoHouse274, @Amoregelato and @HighlandCow78, any chance that you know how long it takes to reverse the risk?

OP posts:
muggart · 25/08/2024 21:29

The deli chicken that we eat was labelled 100% natural and only contained chicken, potato starch, salt and vinegar but it now looks like it’s almost bad as the rest.

I was under the impression that processed meats were bad because of the additives and nitrates/ nitrates. Do I have that wrong? I would have thought that chicken is fine too.

Cathod · 25/08/2024 21:25

All those suggesting tuna - just be wary of the mercury content!

Amoregelato · 25/08/2024 21:17

We have massively cut down on our processed food for this reason. If I'm doing sandwiches I'll make tuna, egg, cheese or cook some chips breasts and make them into coronation chicken etc. I often make tuna pasta or halloumi and couscous as my DC don't much like sandwiches (weirdos).

Emotionalsupporthamster · 25/08/2024 21:13

Yes I know this stuff but honestly it’s all got a bit much for me. Everything’s carcinogenic it seems. The air we breathe, the shit we clean with, my kid’s ham sandwich. I don’t have the bandwidth to go through every area of our lives and cut things out. I cook lots from scratch and we try to make fairly healthy choices but that’s as far as I can take it.

Webbymeister · 25/08/2024 21:09

@nevertearusapart yes, imagine my delight to discover that lazy girl microwave rice is okay

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 21:08

Ohfuckwhatdoidonow · 25/08/2024 20:58

You'll be fucked off when you read about the pesticides on fruit and veg being carcinogenic too.

Chicken, cook a whole one or two for sandwiches, but then the bread...
And if you're not using proper butter...

It's all a bit doomy tbh

@Ohfuckwhatdoidonow not a chance I’m going down the fruit rabbithole, they need to eat something other than cheese.

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Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 21:07

@Arrivapercy maybe the better quality options with fewer additives is the way to go. Hummus, pesto and nut butters are lunchtime banned here as well

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Arrivapercy · 25/08/2024 21:05

Samdwich fillings for my kids at school are a real pain. They don't get that long to eat and I've tried alternatives to sandwiches but its difficult. Hot food jars are difficult for a 5 year old to manage.

My kids don't like cheese or egg.
Hummous & nut butters are banned (this is irritating).
Eldest will eat tuna.
Youngest won't. We end up doing a lot of charcuterie. I don't love it but I don't have much choice.
I buy better quality options with fewer additives and cook our own good quality ham joints/use leftover chicken or beef from sunday roasts, but I've made peace with it to be honest, their diet generally is good with plenty of green veg, pulses, fruit, wholegrains and generally unprocessed home made stuff so its life.

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 25/08/2024 21:05

Webbymeister · 25/08/2024 21:01

I’ve really reduced down my processed food in the last year or so I would recommend this app, you just scan the barcode and it gives you a red orange or green

you can see I’ve been having a look at things to see how bad they are.

I don’t know when I looked at soreen. I’ve never had it in years.!!

@Webbymeister I just downloaded that app at the weekend, really eye opening. And yes, I know that had fairly binary ratings as doesn’t take proportions etc into account but really brings home that ‘premium’ doesn’t equate to ‘better ingredients’

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Webbymeister · 25/08/2024 21:03

And suggests alternatives

Webbymeister · 25/08/2024 21:02

Then you click through and. Eekkkk

To not have known that deli chicken is a level 1 carcinogen
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