This may be a new study, but it’s confirming what was known already.
Of course, CNN is trying to dilute the message and claim some magical middle ground:
“The goal shouldn’t be perfection but rather a healthy and sensible dietary pattern that allows room for enjoyment,” Kuhnle said.
From the abstract:
We conservatively estimated that—relative to zero consumption—consuming processed meat (at 0.6–57 g d−1) was associated with at least an 11% average increase in type 2 diabetes risk and a 7% (at 0.78–55 g d−1) increase in colorectal cancer risk. SSB intake (at 1.5–390 g d−1) was associated with at least an 8% average increase in type 2 diabetes risk and a 2% (at 0–365 g d−1) increase in IHD risk. TFA consumption (at 0.25–2.56% of daily energy intake) was associated with at least a 3% average increase in IHD risk.
emphasis added.
“The goal shouldn’t be perfection but rather a healthy and sensible dietary pattern that allows room for enjoyment,” Kuhnle said.
Right. Because attempts at perfection typically fail. Especially when it comes to diet. Quick and drastic dietary changes often lead to relapses and rebounds - yo yo dieting is a thing, after all - while gradually changing food habits is more likely to result in long-lasting dietary and health improvements.
It’s not about a “magical middle ground”. It’s about understanding how humans act.
When you start with compromises like that, the failure is guaranteed, there is no “attempt”.
Considering the role of food as pleasure, this fear of big changes can backfire because people are addicted to food. It’s easier to succeed if you do a revolution in your kitchen instead of half-assed tiny changes that maintain “temptations”. It’s also much more satisfying to engage in something new, an adventure, and start to make progress in it (to accomplish things); the big change is its own reward, which helps to keep it going because you feel more agency, more capability.
I recently gave up beef, as that is by far the worst meat for climate and pollution. Might work down the list but I think that’s the biggest single step I’ve taken diet wise.
Congratulations!
As “little” as 1 hot dog a day… That sounds excessive even if you’re not vegan.
I reckon most people don’t know what processed meat is, or what part of their diet it constitutes. One hot dog isn’t all that much.
Well, that’s fubar. There’s been time when I was so broke a 24 pck of ballpark beef franks were my only option.
It’s nutty that meat is so subsidized that that is such a cheap option. Never ceases to boggle me.
It’s gotten better since I got stamps. I’ve been able to get my son to try a bunch of food as well. I’m scared that they’ll be cutting those soon, though.
Lol I’m doomed. I eat like 2 hot dogs a day, and that’s just breakfast.
Try some granola
