Liisa Berger: Risk-free eating

Regarding the Oct. 27 news article “Processed meat linked to cancer”: When consumers hear that red and processed meats cause cancer, they might wonder: What doesn’t? The list of carcinogens we encounter on a daily basis seems neverending.

Well, here are a few foods not on that list: carrots, raspberries, tomatoes, apples, peppers, potatoes, brown rice, eggplants, blueberries, whole wheat bread, cucumbers, walnuts, black beans, bananas, oats, oranges, lentils, almonds, avocados, pineapples, zucchini, melons, pinto beans, strawberries.

Plant-based foods are nature’s ultimate anti-carcinogen. They contain fiber and phytonutrients, both of which are protective against cancer and neither of which is found in animal products.

As a nurse, I choose to follow a largely plant-based diet and encourage my friends, family and patients to do the same. It’s the best way to ward off cancer, as well as many other diseases.

With so many delicious, non-carcinogenic options available, why take the risk?

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Liisa Berger: Risk-free eating."