SAUSAGES!!!!

[ReeseWitherfork]

This is possibly the most bizarre question I’ve ever asked but here goes…

DH and I don’t really eat meat. I’ve noticed lately that DS(3) is a fan of sausages. Since we stopped eating them about ten years ago, I’m aware they’ve been linked with increased risk of cancer but I don’t know much more than that. So my question is: is there a healthy way to eat sausages? Are there less processed sausages? We have access to a local farm if that’s an option?! Google was telling me to eat Heck sausages, but what makes them better?

I want to give them to DS if he likes them, but not if they’re as bad as I’ve seen them be discussed on MN!

It's the nitrites that cause increased cancer risk - the preservatives in most processed meat, which retains the pink colour.
You have to eat a lot to inc risk of cancer, eg daily consumption for years. So for the full English breakfast every day people they need to watch out. Sausages for dinner once or twice a week for a kid is fine.
And, and greater cost, you can buy nitrite free sausages. Don't know Heck, but that's probably why you've seen them recommended.

Organic sausages are often nitrate/ nitrate free eg Waitrose Duchy organic sausages definitely and Sainsburys organic sausages last time I checked. I’m sure many other organic sausages are nitrate/nitrate free.

So these are healthier and also have the reassurance of having high animal welfare and other ethical standards.

This is one of thsoe things where it was good to grab headlines but dind't mean much "the intake of 120 g/d of red meat increases cancer risk by 24%"

24% sounds like a big increase, but of the odds are already small it's really minimul

Keep in mind if you buy a lottery ticket, buying a second will increase your chances of winning by 100%! Inceasing it BY a percentage is not the same as increaseing it TO that percentage

I think the answer to most sausages / pies / processed meats is to buy the best quality you can with the highest meat content . My husband spent years saying he hated sausages but he eats Tesco finest with no I’ll effects .

Thanks all, this is all so useful. And significantly less scary than I’ve assumed. Honestly I’ve seen threads on here that make out you may as well be giving your kids crack if you feed them sausages and ham and the like! Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t quite believe the hysteria, but I’ve read enough to be apprehensive.

I shall look out for organic ones.