How much red meat should we eat?

2011-02-25 15:19:49

25 February 2011 Last updated at 14:15 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Who, what, why: How much red meat should we eat? Continue reading the main story Why aren't plastic notes popular? Are bullet-proof windows common? What can technocrats do? Which countries wear poppies?

Red meat lovers have been warned to cut down their intake by the government's health advisers. So just how much red and processed meat should we consume?

Do you regularly tuck in to a couple of sizzling rashers of bacon for breakfast, a ham sandwich for lunch and a juicy rump steak for dinner?

If so, then you're probably eating more than the new recommended allowance of red and processed meat.

The Scientific Advisory Commission on Nutrition, which advises the government, has issued new guidelines.

Continue reading the main story The answer One Big Mac a day is within the guidelines A typical Sunday roast is twice the daily limit And a cooked breakfast or a doner kebab is nearly twice the recommended daily portion Cut red meat to lower cancer risk

They say that adults are advised to consume on average no more than 70g (2.5oz) of such meat a day - about 500g (17oz) a week - in order to cut the risk of developing bowel cancer.

This is the equivalent of three slices of ham, one lamb chop or two slices of roast beef a day.

But how do our regular meaty meals fare against the new government daily guidelines?

Red meat meals versus daily guidelines Meal or processed meat Cooked weight Within guideline?

Source: NHS/World Cancer Research Fund

1. Cooked breakfast

130g

No

Assumes two standard sausages and two thin rashers of bacon

2. Spaghetti bolognese

140g

No

Standard portion of minced beef

3. 5oz rump steak

102g

No

A 5oz steak is smaller than a typical restaurant serving

4. Doner kebab

130g

No

Typically comprising several slices of processed marinated lamb

5. Big Mac

70g

Yes

Contains two thin burgers

6. Sunday roast

90g

No

Assumes three slices of beef, lamb or pork

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