Organic Foods 101

Some of you already know that I’m a little crazy about food and I LOVE to eat! 

I like to buy organic and I love the non-GMO labels because quite frankly I think those Round Up Ready crops are kinda, sorta… well, evil. However, most of you don’t share my thought process and I can respect that. If you want to eat genetically modified foods, then this post probably isn't exactly for you. But if you want some very basic information then hopefully I can help shed some light onto the topic for you!

Which would you rather eat?

How To Eat Healthier:

OK, let’s admit it now the American didn't is called SAD (Standard American Diet) for a reason. SAD is full of carbs and meat with very little thought about veggies and fruits. However, research is showing that we need to go back to a diet based more on the plant based food products, some meats and way less about the carbs. Think caveman. {insert cave man noises here}.

I don't think you need to necessarily go to the "Caveman Diet" to be healthy, but I believe that eating less processed foods and sugar is a fantastic way to start dropping weight and gaining years to your life.

Organic vs."Regular" Food:

Isn't it strange that "regular" food isn't "real" food anymore? 

USDA Organic farmers (and many small, local organic farms working without certification), must use different standards when growing vegetables. These standards include never using:

• Pesticides
• Synthetic Fertilizers
• Sewage sludge (Yes, I said it again, but only because it’s gross. And, yes, it is what you think it is)
• Genetically modified organisms
• Ionizing radiation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides, and 30% of insecticides to be carcinogenic, and most are damaging to your nervous system as well. Who wants to eat THAT?! Not me!! You?

OK, sure, I admit that organic food is much more expensive than regular food, so if you want to save some money, but eat a little healthier here are the foods with the HIGHEST pesticide loads and you should avoid them unless they are organic:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet bell peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Lettuce
• Grapes (imported)
• Pears
• Spinach
• Potatoes

These foods were found to have the lowest residual pesticide load, making them the safest bet among conventionally grown vegetables:

• Broccoli
• Eggplant
• Cabbage
• Banana
• Kiwi
• Asparagus
• Sweet peas (frozen)
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Sweet corn (frozen)
• Avocado
• Onion

If it’s not on the list, then it’s somewhere in the middle. Happy shopping!