Organic? Genetically modified food?

domeofstars · February 2017

Are you happy to pay more for organic food?
Do you avoid foods that are genetically modified?
Why?

I'm not in the US, and I found a place that sold imported American foods. I was amazed at how many foods had genetically modified ingredients in them. I have family in the US and they pretty much buy organic all the time but they are rich...

Jthanmyfitnesspal · February 2017

Oh no you didn't!

IMHO: In most cases, no.

Why?

1) The definition of "organic" is arbitrary.

2) I trust that, even when pesticides are used, our controls are good enough that the final product is safe.

3) I hate finding bugs in my food, so in some sense, I want the grower to use pesticides.

Exceptions abound. I have found that organic free range chicken tastes better, for example.

Tum22 · February 2017

Sometimes at Aldi I will buy organic brocholi, carrots, apples if they aren't too expensive.

I have thought about buying organic chicken breasts from waitrose but they were £13.00 per kg as oppose to £3.33 for non-organic.

I always give my children organic pasta because it's not that expensive and I have heard on you tube that genetically modified can be indigestible and is a foreign substance, unrecognisable to the body.

I also buy organic milk at times for my children because they say it doesn't have growth hormones which could be toxic??

I always buy organic oats because I eat them most days and they are still a cheap breakfast.

If I was rich I would buy all organic just to be on the safe side and because of environmental concerns.

marieamethyst · February 2017

I buy whichever is cheapest when I'm at the store, GMO or organic.

crzycatlady1 · February 2017

domeofstars wrote: »

Are you happy to pay more for organic food?
Do you avoid foods that are genetically modified?
Why?

- No, I don't buy organic food (unless it's cheaper than the alternative)
- Nope
- Because I'm not afraid of foods that have been modified

quiksylver296 · February 2017

Doesn't bother me, except I agree that the chicken is better. That is the only thing I buy organic.

crzycatlady1 · February 2017

Tum22 wrote: »

Sometimes at Aldi I will buy organic brocholi, carrots, apples if they aren't too expensive.

I have thought about buying organic chicken breasts from waitrose but they were £13.00 per kg as oppose to £3.33 for non-organic.

I always give my children organic pasta because it's not that expensive and I have heard on you tube that genetically modified can be indigestible and is a foreign substance, unrecognisable to the body.

I also buy organic milk at times for my children because they say it doesn't have growth hormones which could be toxic??

I always buy organic oats because I eat them most days and they are still a cheap breakfast.

If I was rich I would buy all organic just to be on the safe side and because of environmental concerns.

Youtube isn't the best place to get legitimate information....

jasonp_ritzert · February 2017

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

Oh no you didn't!

1) The definition of "organic" is arbitrary.

One point is that the definition of organic is arbitrary; however, it has to meet certain standards (https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling) to be labeled as USDA organic.

bentridersteve · February 2017

Just remember just because it is "organic" doesn't mean there are no pesticides used. Organic pesticides can be more toxic. In a broad sense everything that we eat is a "GMO". Kale, Broccoli, and Cauliflower are a man made product created by using radiation in the past. These are "buzzwords" created to sell some products at a higher cost. "Organic, GMO free, and Gluten free" is the market tool of this generation, not unlike the "Fat Free" of the past. Penn and Teller had a great program on Organic that is fun to watch. Their series is called B___S___" and it is a fun watch.

jruck371 · February 2017

domeofstars wrote: »

Are you happy to pay more for organic food?
Do you avoid foods that are genetically modified?
Why?

I'm not in the US, and I found a place that sold imported American foods. I was amazed at how many foods had genetically modified ingredients in them. I have family in the US and they pretty much buy organic all the time but they are rich...

We actively avoid Organic and "Non GMO" foods in our household (opposite of a lot of people.. I know). One reason for this is the fear mongering and non scientific community attacking scientists who come out in defense of non organic food. Organic and non GMO is a marketing ploy (the organic industry is worth 4 billion in the US annually), and does not denote a product is healthier.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/09/little-evidence-of-health-benefits-from-organic-foods-study-finds.html

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/organic-food-no-more-nutritious-than-conventionally-grown-food-201209055264

http://www.businessinsider.com/economist-organic-foods-just-marketing-2012-9

Also- humans have literally been modifying food since we figured out we could do so thousands of years ago. Ever ate an almond? You can thank your ancestors for taking a poisonous plant and breeding the arsenic down for safe levels of consumption for that tasty nut.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond

https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/10/10/non-gmo-month-marketing-ploy-grounded-misinformation/

One of the biggest reasons we don't support the organic industry though is our personal beliefs and morals. Farming organic takes up more space then conventional farming. With a growing global population we already cant feed, supporting the growth of an industry that restricts the amount of food we can grow and wants to disband research into new crop techniques that could help grow crops in areas with less water (ie during drought), have resistance to bugs (less pesticide), and more nutrients (golden rice is a prime example of this). We don't feel right giving our money to these companies.

annacole94 · February 2017

I prefer local to organic where possible. Sometimes I buy organic, but only if the price point is close to conventional. I don't care if food is GMO; I prefer it, in fact, if it decreases chemical requirements while growing. For meat, I prefer wild, but also just buy what Costco wants to sell me.

crzycatlady1 · February 2017

annacole94 wrote: »

I prefer local to organic where possible. Sometimes I buy organic, but only if the price point is close to conventional. I don't care if food is GMO; I prefer it, in fact, if it decreases chemical requirements while growing. For meat, I prefer wild, but also just buy what Costco wants to sell me.

Agree-I love supporting local farms and businesses whenever possible

domeofstars · February 2017

jruck371 wrote: »

domeofstars wrote: »

Are you happy to pay more for organic food?
Do you avoid foods that are genetically modified?
Why?

I'm not in the US, and I found a place that sold imported American foods. I was amazed at how many foods had genetically modified ingredients in them. I have family in the US and they pretty much buy organic all the time but they are rich...

We actively avoid Organic and "Non GMO" foods in our household (opposite of a lot of people.. I know). One reason for this is the fear mongering and non scientific community attacking scientists who come out in defense of non organic food. Organic and non GMO is a marketing ploy (the organic industry is worth 4 billion in the US annually), and does not denote a product is healthier.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/09/little-evidence-of-health-benefits-from-organic-foods-study-finds.html

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/organic-food-no-more-nutritious-than-conventionally-grown-food-201209055264

http://www.businessinsider.com/economist-organic-foods-just-marketing-2012-9

Also- humans have literally been modifying food since we figured out we could do so thousands of years ago. Ever ate an almond? You can thank your ancestors for taking a poisonous plant and breeding the arsenic down for safe levels of consumption for that tasty nut.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond

https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/10/10/non-gmo-month-marketing-ploy-grounded-misinformation/

One of the biggest reasons we don't support the organic industry though is our personal beliefs and morals. Farming organic takes up more space then conventional farming. With a growing global population we already cant feed, supporting the growth of an industry that restricts the amount of food we can grow and wants to disband research into new crop techniques that could help grow crops in areas with less water (ie during drought), have resistance to bugs (less pesticide), and more nutrients (golden rice is a prime example of this). We don't feel right giving our money to these companies.

Thank you for all of this interesting info.

PaulaWallaDingDong · February 2017

Tum22 wrote: »

I always give my children organic pasta because it's not that expensive and I have heard on you tube that genetically modified can be indigestible and is a foreign substance, unrecognisable to the body.

If that's true, then you've solved America's obesity crisis.

BusyRaeNOTBusty · February 2017

I actively avoid organic, and would avoid anything labeled "non-GMO" but there are too many of those to avoid, even things like ketchup when no GMO tomatoes exist.

http://www.zmescience.com/other/science-abc/organic-food-science02092015/

http://www.popsci.com/article/science/core-truths-10-common-gmo-claims-debunked

Rocbola · February 2017

crzycatlady1 wrote: »

Tum22 wrote: »

Sometimes at Aldi I will buy organic brocholi, carrots, apples if they aren't too expensive.

I have thought about buying organic chicken breasts from waitrose but they were £13.00 per kg as oppose to £3.33 for non-organic.

I always give my children organic pasta because it's not that expensive and I have heard on you tube that genetically modified can be indigestible and is a foreign substance, unrecognisable to the body.

I also buy organic milk at times for my children because they say it doesn't have growth hormones which could be toxic??

I always buy organic oats because I eat them most days and they are still a cheap breakfast.

If I was rich I would buy all organic just to be on the safe side and because of environmental concerns.

Youtube isn't the best place to get legitimate information....

To be perfectly honest, youtube has better info than the MFP forums.
On youtube, there are great presentations from many fantastic doctors, but also a lot of BS personal opinions and industry sponsored crap masquerading as personal opinion.

Here on MFP, i have rarely seen the former.

Jthanmyfitnesspal · February 2017

jasonp_ritzert wrote: »

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

Oh no you didn't!

1) The definition of "organic" is arbitrary.

One point is that the definition of organic is arbitrary; however, it has to meet certain standards (https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling) to be labeled as USDA organic.

Those are the arbitrary guidelines of which I speak! They allow perfectly revolting "organic" prepared foods, for example.

I do love local produce, although we got some very buggy vegetables in our farm share a couple of times.

ccrdragon · February 2017

I only buy organic when no other choice is available and have never bought a product specifically because it says 'Non-GMO'.

lightenup2016 · February 2017

annacole94 wrote: »

I prefer local to organic where possible. Sometimes I buy organic, but only if the price point is close to conventional. I don't care if food is GMO; I prefer it, in fact, if it decreases chemical requirements while growing. For meat, I prefer wild, but also just buy what Costco wants to sell me.

Unfortunately, some foods are genetically modified so that they can resist the pesticides or herbicides that are being poured on the crops. Corn and soy, for instance, have been modified so that they are resistant (or more resistant) to Roundup.

So, it's not necessarily the genetic modification that is harmful, but the secondary effect (ability to spray more pesticide/herbicide) that makes some GMOs worse for your health.

cwolfman13 · February 2017

I buy whatever is at Costco. They happen to have a lot of organic stuff for which there isn't a non-organic alternative...but the price is right so I don't care. For example, they only sell organic spring mix for my salad...it's cheaper than buying the same quantity non-organic at my grocery store...same for my eggs and a host of other things.

HeliumIsNoble · February 2017

My house buys organic free range eggs, because the welfare standards for Soil Association certification are higher than plain free range.

We also get organic milk, because I am concerned about overuse of preventative antibiotics in conventional lifestock farming contributing to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

For vegetables and fruit, my biggest concerns are food miles, and fair-trade agreements with growers.

karahm78 · February 2017

I always buy organic milk and yes I prefer to buy mostly organic and/or local meats and veggies. But I think that conventional and organic choices should be available so that people can make their own choices. GMO weirds me out

jen_092 · February 2017

jruck371 wrote: »

domeofstars wrote: »

Are you happy to pay more for organic food?
Do you avoid foods that are genetically modified?
Why?

I'm not in the US, and I found a place that sold imported American foods. I was amazed at how many foods had genetically modified ingredients in them. I have family in the US and they pretty much buy organic all the time but they are rich...

We actively avoid Organic and "Non GMO" foods in our household (opposite of a lot of people.. I know). One reason for this is the fear mongering and non scientific community attacking scientists who come out in defense of non organic food. Organic and non GMO is a marketing ploy (the organic industry is worth 4 billion in the US annually), and does not denote a product is healthier.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/09/little-evidence-of-health-benefits-from-organic-foods-study-finds.html

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/organic-food-no-more-nutritious-than-conventionally-grown-food-201209055264

http://www.businessinsider.com/economist-organic-foods-just-marketing-2012-9

Also- humans have literally been modifying food since we figured out we could do so thousands of years ago. Ever ate an almond? You can thank your ancestors for taking a poisonous plant and breeding the arsenic down for safe levels of consumption for that tasty nut.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond

https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/10/10/non-gmo-month-marketing-ploy-grounded-misinformation/

One of the biggest reasons we don't support the organic industry though is our personal beliefs and morals. Farming organic takes up more space then conventional farming. With a growing global population we already cant feed, supporting the growth of an industry that restricts the amount of food we can grow and wants to disband research into new crop techniques that could help grow crops in areas with less water (ie during drought), have resistance to bugs (less pesticide), and more nutrients (golden rice is a prime example of this). We don't feel right giving our money to these companies.

Yes, yes, yes to all of this. Saved me some typing

The employee at GNC the other day saw me reading labels on protein bars (I was checking for nuts because I'm allergic). He assumed I was checking for GMO and pure ingredients and all that, and tried to sell me a bunch of special products. I had to try hard to convince him that I did not care. At all.

Nicklebee93 · February 2017

Yes i buy organic. Especially fruits and vegetables. We do have our own garden and don't tend to use pesticides unless we have to.
And yes i read labels, and stay away from modified anything if i can.
Why? Because i care about my health. I'm trying to lose weight, which means i'm trying to overall be healthier. And that translates to me eating food that doesn't destroy my health. Plus organic tends to taste better...

I understand most people think the "organic" is a ploy, and it is to a certain extent. But organic means what we're eating is more natural. Organic meat = animals (cows) need to be on a rotation. Meaning the animals aren't sat in a padlock all their lives. Ever notice the seal for animal welfare on most organic products? I look for those above all else, personally.

jen_092 · February 2017

n1cholee93 wrote: »

Yes i buy organic. Especially fruits and vegetables. We do have our own garden and don't tend to use pesticides unless we have to.
And yes i read labels, and stay away from modified anything if i can.
Why? Because i care about my health. I'm trying to lose weight, which means i'm trying to overall be healthier. And that translates to me eating food that doesn't destroy my health. Plus organic tends to taste better...

What exactly do genetically modified ingredients do to destroy your health?

Nicklebee93 · February 2017

jenxbowers wrote: »

n1cholee93 wrote: »

Yes i buy organic. Especially fruits and vegetables. We do have our own garden and don't tend to use pesticides unless we have to.
And yes i read labels, and stay away from modified anything if i can.
Why? Because i care about my health. I'm trying to lose weight, which means i'm trying to overall be healthier. And that translates to me eating food that doesn't destroy my health. Plus organic tends to taste better...

What exactly do genetically modified ingredients do to destroy your health?

Did i say genetically modified? I was stating as a whole. Pesticides are not natural and in no way should be consumed. GMO products cause all sorts of risk, including the environment and risk changing wild population plants. Though most don't run risks health wise, there a certain products so modified we might as well be eating chemicals. Margarine is literally a molecule away from plastic. You don't support organic? I can't support GMO now a days. I get "back when" we modified certain foods, but it's so out of hands now a days it's kind of scary. You know how many chemicals are in diet soda? Sugar alternatives? No thanks.

Pesticides are killing off bugs: lady bugs, bee's and other bugs. It just doesn't kill off the "bad" ones.

We could go back and forth, and could put down so many website links. But i'd rather not argue over the internet. Do your research and make your own conclusion. I stand by organic and non GMO foods.

cmtigger · February 2017

Organic farming still uses pesticides. Sometimes more toxic than conventional farming. And GMOs are as safe as non GMO crops.

I do feed my chickens a GMO free feed, but only because it's an unusual protein source and I like the idea of a variety of feed sources in case there is an illness that kills off one kind of plant.

jennybearlv · February 2017

Organic food is fertilized with poop. Just sayin'

PaulaWallaDingDong · February 2017

n1cholee93 wrote: »

jenxbowers wrote: »

n1cholee93 wrote: »

Yes i buy organic. Especially fruits and vegetables. We do have our own garden and don't tend to use pesticides unless we have to.
And yes i read labels, and stay away from modified anything if i can.
Why? Because i care about my health. I'm trying to lose weight, which means i'm trying to overall be healthier. And that translates to me eating food that doesn't destroy my health. Plus organic tends to taste better...

What exactly do genetically modified ingredients do to destroy your health?

Did i say genetically modified? I was stating as a whole. Pesticides are not natural and in no way should be consumed. GMO products cause all sorts of risk, including the environment and risk changing wild population plants. Though most don't run risks health wise, there a certain products so modified we might as well be eating chemicals. Margarine is literally a molecule away from plastic. You don't support organic? I can't support GMO now a days. I get "back when" we modified certain foods, but it's so out of hands now a days it's kind of scary. You know how many chemicals are in diet soda? Sugar alternatives? No thanks.

Do you learn your punchlines from Food Babe? That margarine bit is a real knee-slapper. You can have the moral and environmental concerns. I won't trash that. The fallacies, though...

Orphia · February 2017

I try to avoid "organic" food wherever possible.

I

GMOs.

crzycatlady1 · February 2017

n1cholee93 wrote: »

Yes i buy organic. Especially fruits and vegetables. We do have our own garden and don't tend to use pesticides unless we have to.
And yes i read labels, and stay away from modified anything if i can.
Why? Because i care about my health. I'm trying to lose weight, which means i'm trying to overall be healthier. And that translates to me eating food that doesn't destroy my health. Plus organic tends to taste better...

I understand most people think the "organic" is a ploy, and it is to a certain extent. But organic means what we're eating is more natural. Organic meat = animals (cows) need to be on a rotation. Meaning the animals aren't sat in a padlock all their lives. Ever notice the seal for animal welfare on most organic products? I look for those above all else, personally.

I also lost the extra weight because I care about my health (I needed to normalize a high glucose number), and the modified/non-organic food I eat doesn't 'destroy' my health- I'm actually in excellent health now and have consistent good feedback from my doctor/tests.

I'm genuinely curious what you think tastes better organic? I've had organic products before and I've never tasted a difference. I do notice a color/size difference with the free range eggs I get, (from a relative who raises chickens as a hobby), but they taste the same as the ones I occasionally buy at the store.

Organic? Genetically modified food?

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