Hello friends! I wrote this after talking with friends, clients and perfect strangers on what they know about organic food. I hope to clear up some myths and get you to thinking about a healthier way of life. Organic is more expensive, I totally get that! Take it one step at a time and eventually you will figure out what works best for you.
The definition of organic is~ of, relating to, or derived from living organisms (2) : of, relating to, yielding, or involving the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides.
When it comes to food, choosing organic if possible, is best, here is why. In the meat industry organic means, the animals are not given growth hormones, preventive antibiotics, or other potentially toxic substances. The animals have less exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, fertilizers and other environmental toxins. Think of it like this, whatever the animal eats you are eating. Scary, right?
On the produce side the same is true, organic fruits and vegetables are produced without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMO’S), and do not contain artificial food additives. Let’s break this down and think about it. Would you eat something marked danger, caution or warning (besides your favorite hot sauce of course)? Those are the warnings on pesticides and fertilizers. Fertilizers help things grow larger. Pesticides are typically placed directly on the fruit or vegetable to reduce bugs and rot. Whether in the soil or on the produce these products are absorbed directly into our food. Some fruits and vegetables are effected more than others. The list changes slightly year to year, but those items typically considered the “dirty dozen” are apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, imported snap peas and potatoes. These are the foods you really want to get in the organic section if possible. On the “clean 15” list you will typically find avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage, frozen sweet peas, onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwis, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, cauliflower and sweet potatoes. You can check out ewg.org for more information on eating organically.
Just because something is marked “natural” does not mean it is organic. There are many standards that have to be met to be certified organic. Do your homework, not! As spring quickly approaches consider growing your own garden. If that feels like too big of a task to take on look for farmers markets close by or, organic food co-ops.
Here is to healthy eating!
