Is Anyone Else Here Non-GMO?

siouxsie212
siouxsie212 Posts: 24
edited September 30 in Food and Nutrition
I recently switched to a non-GMO and largely organic lifestyle. The change so far has been exceptional. Wondering if anyone else here is in the same boat. It's beginning to get a little difficult to relate to people who are still eating conventional food, I'm sure the difference is similar to meat eaters vs. vegans.
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Replies

  • Gigi_licious
    Gigi_licious Posts: 1,185 Member
    What is GMO?
  • bringit30
    bringit30 Posts: 103 Member
    What is GMO?
  • skinnyhappy
    skinnyhappy Posts: 152 Member
    Hi and yes, I try to abstain from GMOs as much as humanly possible. Also, I try to find organic foods as often as I can. I only eat wild salmon once a week or less (I used to eat red meat several times a day, being a full-on vegetarian is going to take me some time!). Anyway, I feel fantastic since cutting out meat and eating as cleanly and as naturally as possible! I still eat greek yogurt in the morning, but other than that and some cheese once every great now and again I don't do much dairy. But yes, non-GMO, organic, vegetarian, vegan people are on MFP, glad to see you!
  • bbush18
    bbush18 Posts: 207 Member
    Genetically Modified Organism

    And yes! My husband and I have been trying to switch our lifestyle to non-GMO's and organics...it starts to get a little pricey but we just keep thinking that at the end of the day--our bodies are cleaner and we let nature take it's course!
  • RebelBrew
    RebelBrew Posts: 55
    Genetically modified organism (GMO)
  • daniface
    daniface Posts: 338 Member
    YES AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE
  • claikercon
    claikercon Posts: 1 Member
    I am trying to head in that direction. How are you doing with it so far? It is not without it's challenges. Summer is a great time in my area to do it. I am opting for a combination of non-gmo/organic/whole foods. This seems a reachable goal and a good starting point. My sister and her husband are my best resource along with some interesting websites.
  • ajmorris91
    ajmorris91 Posts: 8 Member
    http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/why-should-i-avoid-gmos.html

    This may help you. =)
  • James_1954
    James_1954 Posts: 187 Member
    What is GMO?

    It's an initialism for Genetically Modified Organism. In general, it refers to Roundup-ready soybeans and the like.

    Of course, I have to wonder how the fundamentalists distinguish between the recent things they mean by "GMO" without including hybrids of the sort that man's been cultivating for centuries now. Hybridization is also a method of genetic modification. And if one rejects that, then one has a very hard time finding something to eat, I would think.
  • ceeshelman
    ceeshelman Posts: 77
    Wow, how does anyone have time to find non-GMO food? Organic yes, but where do you shop to get non-GMO for sure? Even organic can be GMO because of seed hybridization.
  • lmsieffer
    lmsieffer Posts: 4
    Non GMO isnt that hard to find, sometimes its right there on the shelf you just have to read the label. For example, some soymilk is (Silk) non GMO and the one right next to it isn't (Walmart or store brands generally). Every little bit helps, so just find what you can already in your store! Good luck!
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    I'm more concerned with buying more local when it comes to my produce, which in the end works out to no GMOs and a large portion of my foods being organic. I don't really think there's that much of a difference between people who actively buy organic and seek out non-GMOs and those who don't, other than attitude. Buying local, though, generally means buying in season, which means better, fresher, riper produce. I mean, eating clean is certainly different than how I used to eat, but it would still be eating clean if I wasn't buying mostly organic. I'm pretty sure most of my GMOs were before were meats and dairy, and I cut all of those (except fish) out, anyway.
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    Wow, how does anyone have time to find non-GMO food? Organic yes, but where do you shop to get non-GMO for sure? Even organic can be GMO because of seed hybridization.

    Hybridization =/= GMO. Hybridization is generally the product of cross-pollination, which is a natural process. Genetic modification means they're actually in a lab, messing with the genetic code of the plant to make it more resistant to pesticides, drought, etc. Hybridization is why there are so many different varieties of apples. Genetic modification is why they can spray a crop with pesticides and kill everything except the crop.
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    I am! I am! :D It's one of the many reasons I love Trader Joe's -- they work hard to ensure all their brand name products are GMO free. Between that, basing my meals on fresh produce, and reading labels, I would say that 95% of my diet is non-GMO. The only times I really can't be sure is when we eat out, and even then I am careful to avoid things that very likely contain GMO ingredients (especially anything fried).

    The more organic, local, GMO free my diet is, the better I feel. There's just no arguing. I sleep like a baby, I almost never get sick (and when I do, it doesn't last long), and most noticeably I wake up with energy and that energy lasts throughout the day. I don't drink coffee or anything caffeinated, and I don't "crash" or even feel tired in the afternoons.
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    Also, this website is a great resource. I have the Android app on my phone:
    http://truefoodnow.org/

    Another good one:
    http://www.nongmoproject.org/
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    What is GMO?

    It's an initialism for Genetically Modified Organism. In general, it refers to Roundup-ready soybeans and the like.

    Of course, I have to wonder how the fundamentalists distinguish between the recent things they mean by "GMO" without including hybrids of the sort that man's been cultivating for centuries now. Hybridization is also a method of genetic modification. And if one rejects that, then one has a very hard time finding something to eat, I would think.

    My dad said the same thing when I started talking to my parents about GMOs, but genetic modification and genetic hybridization are not the same beast. GMOs are created in a laboratory.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/139536-hybrid-vegetable-vs-genetically-modified/
  • kw2s
    kw2s Posts: 16
    Yes! It was a bit hard at first but a non-GMO lifestyle is becoming more maintream. Honestly, the GMO frankencrops scare me a bit... I even grew up on a farm and I am terrified of them.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    Yes! It was a bit hard at first but a non-GMO lifestyle is becoming more maintream. Honestly, the GMO frankencrops scare me a bit... I even grew up on a farm and I am terrified of them.

    Frankencrops! :laugh:
  • siouxsie212
    siouxsie212 Posts: 24
    I actually don't spend any more than I did before. I find that I'm satisfied with my food so much more and, therefore, eat less. I've found out a lot of interesting things, like if an item (such as bread) is certified organic, then it's non-GMO. Also, Trader Joe's private label brand is non-GMO.
  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    Absolutely, as much as I can
  • siouxsie212
    siouxsie212 Posts: 24
    I'm more concerned with buying more local when it comes to my produce, which in the end works out to no GMOs and a large portion of my foods being organic. I don't really think there's that much of a difference between people who actively buy organic and seek out non-GMOs and those who don't, other than attitude.

    I, of course, eat as local as possible for produce. Grass fed beef and pastured eggs only. Wild salmon. My biggest problem is chicken. It's difficult, even at the farmer's markets, to find chicken that hasn't been fed grain or at least to know the grain is non-GMO.

    I agree with many of the posters, my body feels so much better. I think if you are satiated by REAL food, you don't end up binging on processed, chemical junk.

    P.S. If you are able to get grass-fed milk or half and half for your coffee, WOW, the taste is amazing.
  • siouxsie212
    siouxsie212 Posts: 24
    Wow, how does anyone have time to find non-GMO food? Organic yes, but where do you shop to get non-GMO for sure? Even organic can be GMO because of seed hybridization.

    That's false. Any food item that is certified organic CANNOT contain genetically modified ingredients.
  • dayzeerock
    dayzeerock Posts: 918 Member
    Non-GMO, Local and Organic all the way! Eating gmo's terrifies me...I don't want 3-headed babies or anything freaky like that when I reproduce because I made dangerous food choices!
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
    I've been more mindful of what I'm buying too -- watched a few food documentaries on Netflix and wow -- were MY eyes opened! I don't buy a lot of organic produce (yet) but I get what I can afford. I buy organic milk, eggs...and I wish wish wish I could get my hands on some non-hormonal grass fed beef!!

    Nifty app for you iPhoners (not sure if this is available for Android) is the "Non-GMO Shopping Guide".
  • siouxsie212
    siouxsie212 Posts: 24
    Once you begin eating grass-fed beef, you'll never eat grain-fed again. The taste is amazing.

    Also, just some info for those who don't know much about GMO's:

    GMOs were first grown in the United States in 1996. They work by inserting an additional protein into the genetic code of the original seed. This allows the crops to withstand repeated bouts of pesticide without destroying the crop. (This also means corporations can TRADEMARK food ~ like it's a chair or a TV!)

    ****People are eating food developed in a lab so it can take on LARGER amounts of pesticides.****

    92 percent of all soy grown worldwide is genetically modified, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you think you do not consume any of these soybeans because you avoid edamame, tofu, and soymilk- think again! Soybean oil, soy protein isolate, soy lecithin, etc, are common ingredients in processed foods.

    All of Europe, England, Australia, Japan and Russia require food containing GMOs to be labeled accordingly.

    Most of the objection about GMOs is that they are an uncontrolled human experiment. Only one study has been conducted on humans rather than animals. The results showed that parts of the altered gene in GMO soy had been transferred into the DNA of the bacteria in the digestive system (U.S. National Academy of Sciences 2004). Results from animal studies are even less promising.

    Anyway, off my soap box. The more I learn and the more my diet has changed, the more outrageous I find all of this.
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    I choose the non-GMO product whenever available. I also make sure my products are uncured, contain no preservatives, no artificial coloring or flavorings, no MSG, and no HFCS. I feel much better without those items in my body.
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    Also, "vegetable oil" is soybean oil, and almost certainly GM soybean oil.
  • siouxsie212
    siouxsie212 Posts: 24
    Also, "vegetable oil" is soybean oil, and almost certainly GM soybean oil.

    Gross, you're totally right (did that sound valley-girl much? lol). I completely gave up soy, and I do love some edamame, but... such is life. Now that I'm on this path, what's the point of choosing something that's GMO when I have the choice? If you read labels, it seems like EVERYTHING contains soy! And those Boca Burgers? Those are chemical patties. I had 2 pkgs in the freezer when I read the article about them and tossed them in the garbage.

    Restaurants are definitely tough. Living in DC, currently, I am lucky enough to have a lot of restaurant that offer grass-fed beef and local organic produce.

    I began this journey mostly because when I went to Ireland all they serve is local food, free of pesticides, lamb that was from the pasture down the road. My body felt incredible. I was completely rested on less sleep and had more energy than I can recall ever having. That's when I decided to make a change. First I tried gluten-free, but that wasn't the issue, I have no problem tolerating wheat gluten. Next up was just giving up as much processed food as humanly possible and eating non-GMO.
  • siouxsie212
    siouxsie212 Posts: 24
    I choose the non-GMO product whenever available. I also make sure my products are uncured, contain no preservatives, no artificial coloring or flavorings, no MSG, and no HFCS. I feel much better without those items in my body.

    Gotta admit, I do mourn bacon from time to time... LOL

    Has anyone had any luck with CHICKEN though? It's impossible!
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
    I choose the non-GMO product whenever available. I also make sure my products are uncured, contain no preservatives, no artificial coloring or flavorings, no MSG, and no HFCS. I feel much better without those items in my body.

    Gotta admit, I do mourn bacon from time to time... LOL

    Has anyone had any luck with CHICKEN though? It's impossible!

    I live near (well, about an hour away) from an area with a lot of Amish. Once every couple of months my mom and I drive over to meet with a farmer who sells his own meats. Mostly beef and pork, but he also has half and whole chickens. It's more work, but so good.

    Otherwise, we make do with the health food store. Costco also carries organic frozen chicken, but it's vegetarian fed, not free range.
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