healthmedicinet

A well-known pro-vegan advocacy group seeks to convert the NHS entirely to veganism by equating the harms of red meat to those of smoking.

With the phrase, “Still serving meat?,” PETA, known for its controversial advertising campaign S, wants to put enormous billboards outside of hospitals showing a patient being fed a platter of sausages and smokes. Would you like a cigarette?’

A caption at the bottom states that eating processed meat causes cancer and urges the NHS to go vegan.

But MailOnline can reveal that the militant charity has yet to find a company willing to print its plant-based propaganda, which critics have labeled “scientifically illiterate.”

The company that first approached it for its latest stunt turned it down, saying it was “too political.”

PETA is no stranger to provocative campaigns, earlier this month activists dressed up Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Environment Minister Therese Coffey in protest at a lack of action on animal welfare

PETA’s campaigns often feature nude women, who are likened to animals in charities’ effort to convince people to follow a vegan diet

NHS patients have complained about the dismal food choices presented to them for decades.

Still, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) believes that meat should be completely banned from hospital menus.

PETA, which has the motto “animals are not ours to eat” states that, ethics aside, people who eat processed meats are more likely to suffer from a plethora of health problems such as death, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, chronic kidney disease, and strokes.

This, the charity claims, not only costs people their lives and well-being, but also taxpayers through the burden that dealing with such issues places on the NHS.

PETA’s ad was to appear in a national print campaign on billboards outside hospitals in the UK.

It denounced claims its campaign was ‘political’ but described it as a ‘thought-provoking’ ad to highlight that by serving patients bacon and sausages the NHS might as well be encouraging them to have a cigarette smoking.

Dr. Carys Bennett, PETA’s business projects manager, said: ‘The NHS is shooting itself in the foot by serving carcinogenic animal-derived foods loaded with saturated fat that will further strain an already stretched system.

‘Replacing meat, eggs and dairy products with vibrant vegan foods such as vegetables, pulses and grains would protect animals, the planet and the health of the British public and save the NHS money.’

But think tanks accused the charity of being a “crazy organization” and scientific illiteracy over its claims.

Chris Snowdon, of the right-wing Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “PETA is an idiotic organization that thrives on outrage.

“The claim that universal veganism would save the NHS £30bn a year is ludicrous and their comparison of meat to cigarettes is scientifically illiterate.”

PETA claimed their ad was rejected anonymously by a billboard supplier they attempted to partner with through an intermediary advertising agency called Media Agency Group.

However, the charity said they are not giving up and want to bring their NHS veganism campaign to life through online and print advertising, as well as mobile billboard vans.

Although the ad is on the chopping block for now, experts have been warning for years about the dangers of too many processed meats, such as bacon, sausages and deli meats.

They’re high in salt and saturated fat, which can harm your cardiovascular health and contribute to obesity, with Britons’ bulging waistlines costing the NHS an estimated £6 billion a year.

In addition, preservatives used as part of the meat curing process have been linked to diseases such as colon cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) ruled in 2015 that processed meat is carcinogenic.

UK health officials are currently advising people to cut back on processed meats and consume a maximum of 70g of red or processed meat (equivalent to just under three slices of bacon) per day.

But a 2019 study by Oxford academics found that even small amounts of processed meat can significantly increase the risk of developing cancer.

They found that for every 25 grams of processed meat (equivalent to about one slice of bacon or ham) consumed per day, the risk of developing colon cancer increased by nearly a fifth.

Figures from Hannah Ritchie of Oxford University’s Our World in Data show how much salt and fat are in many meat alternatives compared to the real thing. The researchers compared the nutritional value of 100 grams of meat products and vegan products, all of which are available in British supermarkets

One million patients, who were at a healthy weight with a body mass index (BMI) of 18 to 25, would cost the NHS an average of £638 each in 2019, the study’s final year. By comparison, severely obese patients with a BMI of 40 and above cost more than double – £1,375 a year. Meanwhile, the NHS spent £979 a year on obese patients with a BMI of 30 to 35, which increased to £1,178 a year for those with a BMI of 35-40

However, other experts have said the true impact of the increased risk is relatively small.

They explained that since the chances of getting colon cancer are so low in any case, the increased risk is only equivalent to one extra patient with the disease for every 100 people who eat bacon every day.

Smoking, on the other hand, is much more dangerous in terms of cancer.

A pack-a-day smoker is about 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to a non-smoker, not to mention the risk of other cancers associated with the habit.

PETA claims the NHS could save £30bn a year in reducing health problems if all meals served in the UK were vegan.

However, it has not published any analysis that supports its claim.

While vegan means can avoid the pitfalls of processed meats, not all of them are as healthy as they seem.

Some plant-based meat alternatives and vegan cheese may contain more salt and fat than the animal products they are intended to replace.

And this month, a report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which looked at more than 500 studies, concluded that animal food sources are “critical sources of much-needed nutrients.”

It noted that plant-based ‘meat’, available in all major supermarkets, cannot replace animal products, is deficient in some essential nutrients and is high in fat, sodium and sugar.

An NHS spokesperson said: “‘The NHS already supports people in following a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and a variety of protein sources.’

“New national food standards were introduced last year to further improve catering services in hospitals, including for a range of nutritional needs and preferences.”

What should a balanced diet look like?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 servings of different fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count;
• Basic meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains;
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat granola biscuits, 2 thick slices of whole-wheat bread, and large baked potato with skin;
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks) and choose lower-fat, lower-sugar options;
• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 servings of fish per week, one of which is fatty);
• Opt for unsaturated oils and spreads and consume in small quantities;
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water per day;
• Adults should consume less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day.

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide