Eating Organic

I try to eat only organic and natural foods [an EarthFare shopper as well!], as well as locally grown produce and meats- and yeah, it will be expensive [and that's coming from a poor college student!] But I think the food tastes so much better and I feel a lot healthier than when I ate mostly processed foods!!

IMHO - we should eat organic whenever possible. I try to eat organic (especially) for fruit, vegi and meat. Per meat, if not organic, then def free range/cage free.

I think with the amount of fruit you eat...organic would def be the way to go.

But to say 'everything' to be organic...not sure, as just because something is 'organic' it doesn't make it healthy. There are some very unhealthy 'organic' cereals, bars, crackers out there.

My .02 is eat healthy first...and if there is an option to eat that healthy something as an organic option, then yes, organic is the way to go...but don't lose focus on healthy...just because we're blinded by 'organic'.

Cheers Caroline!
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Kyle

http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4019?popular=true

in short there really is no science that supports that organic food is any more healthy for you than other.

also factored in the resources that it takes to produce organic foods, as opposed to traditional methods, it's actually no help to the planet as well.

"When you take the exact same strain of a plant and grow it in two different ways, its chemical and genetic makeup remain the same. One may be larger than the other if one growing method was more efficient, but its fundamental makeup and biochemical content is defined by its genes, not by the way it was grown. Consumer Reports found no consistent difference in appearance, flavor, or texture. A blanket statement like "organic cultivation results in a crop with superior nutritional value" has no logical or factual basis."

I've switched over to organic meat, dairy and some locally grown veggies. I don't have enough in the budget to switch everything though.

My husband and I eat all organic/all natural. I have noticed a HUGE difference in my health. Just one example, I was getting headaches almost everyday. Since I switched, I've only had one headache that was probably heat related. I think they may have been from preservatives and/or other additives. We started in Feb. of this year. It is more expensive, but we look at it as investing in our health. I personally don't think some people budget enough for food. I'd rather cut my budget in other areas and spend more on something as important as what I'm putting in my body. Just my opinion though!

i completely understand you motion toward a healthy life and applaud it, thats awesome, however I'd be wary of any "fad' diet that doesn't really have the science to back up its claims, perhaps your lack of headaches is due to the overall change in your eating habits. I suffer from chronic headaches and the thing that triggers my headache is also linked to food...basically me not eating. Perhaps your case is similar and can be attributed to a change in your eating routine rather than how your food is produced...

There is absolutely zero (unbiased) scientific evidence that supports a claim that organic food is healthier for you and the thought process that conventional growing methods leave pesticides in food was debunked decades ago...

this is said about organic foods.

"In the United States, 2006 brought two major outbreaks of E. coli, both resulting in deaths and numerous illnesses, ultimately traced to organically grown spinach and lettuce. According to the Center for Global Food Issues, organic foods make up about 1% of all the food sold in the United States, but it accounts for 8% of E. coli cases. "

in short there really is no science that supports that organic food is any more healthy for you than other.

I don't eat organic food because it is "healthier" (it isn't- same nutrients, calories, and fat). I eat it because it hasn't been sprayed with toxic chemicals. Science certainly supports that not eating toxic chemicals = a good thing.

I buy organic where it counts- look for the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean 15" lists that have the 12 fruits and veg that really absorb the pesticides/chemicals (peaches are one of the worst offenders), and the 15 cleanest fruits and veg where it really doesn't pay to buy organic because they don't absorb the chemicals as well.

in short there really is no science that supports that organic food is any more healthy for you than other.

I don't eat organic food because it is "healthier" (it isn't- same nutrients, calories, and fat). I eat it because it hasn't been sprayed with toxic chemicals. Science certainly supports that not eating toxic chemicals = a good thing.

I buy organic where it counts- look for the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean 15" lists that have the 12 fruits and veg that really absorb the pesticides/chemicals (peaches are one of the worst offenders), and the 15 cleanest fruits and veg where it really doesn't pay to buy organic because they don't absorb the chemicals as well.

but science has also proven that there are no noticeable traces of pesticides in conventionally grown food...it actually has proven that there is more health RISK in organic foods due to their growth.

i wasn't trying to debate i just like people to be fully informed before they shell out extra money.

http://www.webmd.com/video/nestle-organic-foods

i completely understand you motion toward a healthy life and applaud it, thats awesome, however I'd be wary of any "fad' diet that doesn't really have the science to back up its claims, perhaps your lack of headaches is due to the overall change in your eating habits. I suffer from chronic headaches and the thing that triggers my headache is also linked to food...basically me not eating. Perhaps your case is similar and can be attributed to a change in your eating routine rather than how your food is produced...




Thank you for your opinion...sincerely. I should have made my original statement more clear. I think the lack of headaches is more attributed to eating all natural foods now with no additives. I'm allergic to many things, so I think that maybe I have an allergy or sensitivity to a preservative, food dye, etc. I didn't actually change my eating habits too much when I switched over. I had already been eating a balanced diet, so that is why I think it might be the additives.

My husband has done most of the research on organic foods, so I won't offer any scientific evidence to the discussion. I just wanted to say that I have noticed a difference personally.

in short there really is no science that supports that organic food is any more healthy for you than other.

I don't eat organic food because it is "healthier" (it isn't- same nutrients, calories, and fat). I eat it because it hasn't been sprayed with toxic chemicals. Science certainly supports that not eating toxic chemicals = a good thing.

I buy organic where it counts- look for the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean 15" lists that have the 12 fruits and veg that really absorb the pesticides/chemicals (peaches are one of the worst offenders), and the 15 cleanest fruits and veg where it really doesn't pay to buy organic because they don't absorb the chemicals as well.

but science has also proven that there are no noticeable traces of pesticides in conventionally grown food...it actually has proven that there is more health RISK in organic foods due to their growth.

I'll agree to disagree and keep on buying my organic peaches. :bigsmile: