So you are trying to eat a more balanced diet, following the food guide pyramid, getting more fruits and vegetables. But is it enough? Do we also need to make sure that what we buy is organic? Does it really make a difference? The first step is definitely to eat better, particularly including more fruits and vegetables. However if your budget allows the next step would be to improve the quality of the foods you are eating by buying as many organic items as possible.
Why is organic so important?
By eating organic you are greatly reducing the toxic accumulation of chemicals in your body; chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, and antibiotics just to name a few. We are exposed to chemicals every day, many of which we do not have control over. However we do have control over the foods we put in our body.
Eating organic also increases the nutrient profile of the foods you eat. Organic farmers take great care to ensure the health of their soil, therefore providing the plants more nutrients from that soil. The stripped and depleted soil found on a commercial farm cannot provide its plants with the same quantity of nutrients. Organic ranchers and dairy farmers take great care to ensure the health of their animals without the use of medications. Animals allowed to be outside and eat the foods they were meant to eat provide naturally leaner meat and higher levels of omega 3 oils.
Admittedly it is difficult, and pricey, to buy everything organic. If this is not realistic for you and your family consider the following list of foods that contain the highest levels of chemical residue when not purchased organic; this list is also known as the “Dirty Dozen”: Apples, Cherries, Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Raspberries, Strawberries, Bell Peppers, Celery, Potatoes and Spinach. I would also encourage you to consider buying your Milk, Beef and Poultry organic to reduce your exposure to hormones and antibiotics as well.
Nutrition Consultations are available at Synergy+. Contact Dionne directly to schedule an appointment. Dionne Detraz, RD, dionnedetraz@comcast.net, 415-250-0567