Processed Meat: Packing Your Children's School Lunches

Dr. Marie Savard Looks at Healthier Options for Your Kids' Lunches

By KATE MCCARTHY
Abc News



As the school year approaches and parents begin to think about packing their children's lunches, the World Cancer Research Fund is recommending that parents avoid using processed meats because of possible cancer concerns.

Parents often serve their kids processed meats because they are convenient and cheap, and children enjoy them. Dr. Marie Savard, ABC News medical contributor, said that the concern about these meats stems from possible carcinogens, such as nitrites.

Savard cited several studies that have linked eating large amounts of red meat and processed meats to an increased risk of colorectal, prostate and stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

And those studies, Savard told "Good Morning America" today, were only in adults.

"Why would we risk our children?" she said. "I think we give our kids more processed meats because it's easy."

The American Cancer Society recommends limiting consumption of processed meats. Studies of this issue have found increased risk of colorectal cancer in women who eat more than one ounce, or one slice, of processed meat more than two to three times per week, and men who eat more than one ounce five to six days per week.Read more...