All about organic food - Healthier, the better…
Organic foods are becoming more popular again as people realize that our bodies don't need the extra burden of harmful chemicals. There are now a number of nutritionists and dieticians that believe that buying organic foods from sources that you can trust is the best way to promote healthy foods.
What is organic food?
The label "organic" is a bit of a misnomer, since all food is chemically organic because it is carbon-based. But organic in the context of food now means it is produced without the use of conventional pesticides and artificial fertilizers, is free from contamination by human or industrial waste, is processed without ionizing radiation or artificial food additives, and does not contain genetically modified organisms (GMO). Also, in the context of livestock, use of antibiotics or growth hormones is not allowed.
Defining organic food
Certified organic food is most commonly described as food grown and packaged without the use of chemicals, preservatives or additives. In other words, food that is either completely or at least 70% all natural can be called as organic food.
Another way to explain it, from a bigger picture standpoint is:
"Organic food is produced through a system that is based on ecological balance and humane care for the plants, animals and people that make up the farm environment."
Is organic food more nutritious?
In 2001, nutrition specialist Virginia Worthington published her review of 41 published studies comparing the nutritional values of organic and conventionally grown fruits, vegetables and grains. What she found was that organically grown crops provided 17 percent more vitamin C, 21 percent more iron, 29 percent more magnesium, and 13.6 percent more phosphorus than conventionally grown products. She noted that five servings of organic vegetables provided the recommended daily intake of vitamin C for men and women, while their conventional counterparts did not. Today there are more studies that show the same results that Ms. Worthington concluded.
Beware, there are also studies stating that there is no difference. Again, the nutritional content is not in question; it’s the large amounts of harmful pesticides, insecticides and potential toxins they spray on the crops that make the difference.
Quick food tips
1. Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet: One of the most important things you can do for your health is eat a balanced, varied diet and lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Regardless of possible chemical contaminants, a diet high in fresh produce and whole grains and low in fats and sugars builds a healthy body that is more able to fight off the ill effects of environmental toxins.
2. Buy certified organically grown food whenever possible to avoid exposure to pesticides: If you cannot afford to buy all organic, try to at least purchase the organic options of what your child eats most (if a parent). In addition, some conventionally grown foods typically have fewer pesticides. Use the following table to help you find which fruits and vegetables are safer.
3. Thoroughly wash hands, food and cooking utensils: You should use proper refrigeration and heating practices to avoid bacterial food-borne illnesses.
4. Eat low fat, organic and antibiotic-free meat and dairy products: Cancer causing chemicals like dioxins and PCBs accumulate in fatty foods, so eat lower fat dairy and meats, and cut away any fat that can be trimmed before cooking. Purchase dairy and meat that has been raised antibiotic-free.
5.Choose minimally processed and packaged foods: A typical highly processed "food product" may contain little natural food and be high in fat, salt, sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors and food colorings.
Conclusion
Last but not least, while industrial agriculture is the most efficient way to produce large quantities of food, the pollution associated with it raises many environmental and health concerns. In light of this, there has been a shift to organic farming which uses more natural ways to raise crops and livestock and avoids the use of harmful chemicals.
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