Why Should I Eat Organic?

Are you concerned about the growing levels of chemicals that may be in your food? Current farming practice is to use pesticides and chemical fertilizers to control insects and weeds, and to help grow bigger, prettier products that ship better. But these pesticides and chemicals end up in and on the food that we buy fresh, canned, and frozen at our local grocery store as well as in the food we eat when dining out.

Sure, we wash our produce but is that enough? Some will say it's not and encourage you to go to organic food as an alternative. If you read any book about detoxifying your body you’ll find it's recommended that you choose organic food whenever possible. Some analysts claim that organic foods have higher nutritional values than the same foods grown with pesticides.

So what does organic mean?

When a food claims to be organic, it has been grown free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, growth hormones (where animals are concerned) and other genetically engineered substances. A food grower has to submit to a lengthy certification process in order to claim that foods are organic.

Some foods are being labeled Certified Naturally Grown but this is not the same as being certified organic. Look for the USDA Organic label in the US. Sometimes food is labeled Made with Organic Ingredients. This is not the same thing. You need to read the small print to learn exactly what you're getting. It can be very misleading.

Organic food is generally more expensive and can gouge into the family food budget, but prices continue to come down as more people choose organic. Pursuing a more natural diet can lead to better long term health, and this is ultimately better for you and your wallet.

Where can I find organic foods?

Most grocery stores now have an organic area in their produce departments. Even large stores like Costco and Wal-Mart are offering more and more organic choices. You will probably find the best deals on organic fruits and vegetables at a farmer’s market. The key is to buy what's in season locally.

Be sure to wash all of your produce, organic or not, just before serving by rinsing them under strong running water and scrubbing the skin gently to remove dirt or residue. Use a vegetable brush if needed. You can also use one of the commercial vegetable and fruit cleaners now on the market.
Eating organic is not an all or nothing thing. It's not so easy to go totally organic, but if you can incorporate more and more of it into your daily diet, you're on the right track