By Milan Polk ’16

Recently, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that red and processed meats, such as beef, bacon and sausages, are now linked with an 18-percent higher risk of cancer. Although the information that meat is unhealthy was not surprising to most people, there may be the need to rethink one’s dietary choices. The decision to lessen one’s meat intake or give it up all together can also be backed by the strain that eating meat has on the environment, as well as the moral aspect of consuming other sentient animals. This wake-up call from the WHO is something people should seriously consider.

The United States is a country that generally has meals planned around meat, and really only sees fruits and vegetables as side dishes, even though they have many more health benefits than meat. If nothing else, Americans should realize what they are putting into their bodies. Cancer is something people actively try to prevent, and diets should reflect that. Meat may be a staple in American culture, but cultures can change, especially if it means a healthier world.