THE average Aussie eats about a kilo of red meat a week - that's twice the recommended amount.
And now, Bowel Cancer Australia is urging us to go meat-free for a week.
According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, the average Australian feasts on just under 28kg of pork and the same amount of beef per year.
The World Health Organisation has classified red meat (beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse and goat) as "probably carcinogenic to humans".
It found an even stronger link between processed meat - such as salami and hotdogs - and bowel cancer.
Meat Free Week organisers say the campaign isn't about converting meat eaters into vegetarians, but more about promoting the health benefits of vegies, fruits, pulses and grains.
The World Cancer Research Fund says bowel cancer risk increases by 17 per cent per 100g of red meat consumed per day - and that risk increases by 18 per cent per 50g of processed meat eaten daily.
Bowel Cancer Australia's community engagement manager Claire Annear said the week was a "great way to make space on people's plates for plant-based foods rich in nutrients and high in fibre".
"Making little changes can create a big difference," she said. "Delicious recipes are just the start."
Meat Free Week participants can raise funds in support of Bowel Cancer Australia's bowel cancer prevention programs.
The charity encourages those who don't think they can manage a whole week, to give a meat free weekend a try on September 23-24.
Healthy Meat-ing
- Try to eat less than 500g (cooked) meat a week.
- Cook meat carefully. Charred or blackened meats can damage the cells lining the bowel. Keep cooking temperatures low and use marinade to protect meat from burning.
- Updated data shows convincing evidence that foods containing dietary fibre protect against bowel cancer.
- Eat at least five servings of a variety of non-starchy vegetables (leafy greens, broccoli etc) and fruit every day.
- Eat relatively unprocessed cereals (grains) and/or pulses (legumes) with every meal.
- Limit refined starchy foods.
For meat-free recipes and meat-free tips go to www.meatfreeweek.org
