Surprising Swaps for Red Meat in 5 Everyday Dishes

In 2015, the World Health Organization announced it had classified processed meats (like bacon, hot dogs, and luncheon meats) as a carcinogen — meaning it increases the risk for cancer, specifically colorectal cancer.

With some clever planning, you can keep making the same recipes you love — but with plant-based foods swapped in. “Plant-based” refers to any ingredient that doesn’t come from an animal, which leaves behind an astounding array of possibilities: beans, veggies, nuts, seeds, grains, and fruits.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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