Processed meat refers to meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing, salting or adding preservatives. This includes sausages, bacon, ham, salami and pâtés, according to the NHS.
The NHS says if you eat a lot of red or processed meat, it’s also recommended that you cut down as there is likely to be a link between red and processed meat and bowel cancer.
The health body says: “A healthy balanced diet can include protein from meat, as well as from fish and eggs or non-animal sources such as beans and pulses. Meats such as chicken, pork, lamb and beef are all rich in protein.
“Red meat provides us with iron, zinc and B vitamins. Meat is one of the main sources of vitamin B12 in the diet.”