Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen
When I first heard the news that processed foods, meats in particular, were potentially cancer causing, I focused on the concept of ‘potential’. I took that and other cancer warnings as information for ‘someone else’. My ‘blessed’ life would surely not include cancer! However I learned that God’s love would include giving me a reason to demonstrate my faith and good sense. Prostate Cancer corrected my attitude. It makes me realize how easy it is to resist good advice. Eating food for fuel and exercising regularly is good advice!
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported something that reinforces advice that many Black people ignored because of whom they heard first give the advice. The leader of the USA Based Nation Of Islam… The Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the early 1950’s, told Black People and anyone else that wanted to listen, that eating pork was not healthy….Many Blacks, to show their disregard for The Minister’s separatist philosophy, bragged about cooking and eating pork that they said “taste so good it would change the Minister’s mind”. The Minister’s message of “Eat To Live” was lost on many who did not want to do anything that would appear to be in harmony with that group of Blacks who’s leader kept saying things like “Do For Self”… another piece of good advice.
According to various internet sites, WHO’s research arm found that all processed meats, including sausages, ham, and hot dogs, are carcinogens. The report says that 50 grams a day—about two slices of bacon—raises the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%, per the BBC.
This news from WHO is the last reminder that I will need… I have two grandsons that love loving bacon! Refusing them is not one of my natural talents. However, making adjustments is. For instance in the past when we would take them to breakfast, Mrs. Allen cooked turkey bacon at home and took it with us, so they could have the ‘healthy’ bacon. Well according to WHO, turkey bacon is processed and therefore as much a carcinogen as red meats.
You may be one of the many people to whom Mrs. Allen and I have preached the virtues of turkey bacon. Well, here is some new advice… Unless you are making your own bacon from turkey you cook, stop feeding it to the kids!
Since an adjustment is necessary…For their future, we will choose to take our grandchildren out for dinner, where bacon is not on the menu. We advise you to do the same!
