Going organic: The Benefits for You and Your Kids

Going Organic
Back in the old times, farming took no other form but organic.

Contamination of food is the least of people’s worries; synthetic chemicals were unnecessary and even unthinkable. Organic agriculture was the ‘only way’ for old-school farmers.

Today, organic has become the alternative, not the conventional. But with the remarkable increase in organic farming in recent years, organic farmers are developing   new and improved earth-friendly ways to increase fields. What is organic and why is it so important for our children?


Pure greens
According to the Organic Consumers Association, it was the call for a more industrialized agriculture brought about by the Second World War that greatly maneuvered the movement towards automated farming. The proliferation of the so-called “factory farms” dictated the widespread use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and a host of other chemicals to make the foods produced look, smell, and taste “better”.

M.PA. R.N.D Maribel Jane Galang, Health and Wellness Department Educator of the Manila Adventist Hospital explains, “When we say organic, these are foods grown without fertilizer, using only healthy, rich soil to produce crops that resist pests and diseases naturally.

Organic farming bars the use of toxic and chemicals.” These foods are produced through innovative practices and may be fresh or processed without artificial ingredients or preservatives.

Furthermore, organic foods are an excellent source of good minerals, essential amino acids, and vitamins.


Weighing the pros and cons
Promoting a no-synthetic and no-artificial input, organic foods have lesser risks in our diet than having intensively-farmed produce. “Commercialized food contains high-fat, high-calorie, and high-cholesterol nutrients.

People who have these kinds of food in their regular diet are more prone to degenerative diseases like hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart diseases. Eating organic food lessens or even eliminates the risk,” Galang reiterates. Babies have yet to develop strong system; thus, they need the purest and safest food. “Choosing to feed our children organically protects them from a lifetime of health risks,” says Galang.

Moreover, the poisonous chemicals added in Genetically Modified (GM) foods cannot be easily removed, even with thorough rinsing. Imagine the risk of serving your children toxins! Organic foods are also substantially different from conventionally-grown produce in terms of taste. Supporting organic is not only for your own good, but also for the welfare of your family, the farmers, and our nature and wildlife.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of organic food.

[previous|page|next]

Read on to learn more about the benefits of organic food.

What’s in your food?
“Organic products grown in healthier soil contain higher levels of nutrients, and many taste better than their conventional counterparts. Organic fruits and vegetables test at minimal or zero pesticide residue levels,” the Organic Consumers Association cited in their journals. Going organic assures us of 50 percent more vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients packed in our food products. No wonder this all natural alternative is fast becoming a trend. Galang reveals the increasing rate of malnourished and overweight problems here in our country, even with children.

“Naging very common ang obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and other food related diseases. So now people are becoming more aware and health-conscious.”

The Philippine Organic Industry is still believed to be relatively small, having only locally grown products that are limited in variety. In other words, not enough are being produced, thus the sudden popularity of organics in the urban areas made it quite expensive. And since most

Filipino consumers are more “price-conscious” than they are “health-conscious,” organic food mainly appeals to the wealthier consumers who have probably read or heard about the trend in living a healthy lifestyle in other countries.


Organic food for tots
For babies 4 months to 1 year, a good serving of cooked and pureed organic carrots, potatoes, parsnips, apples, and pears are excellent first food. You can also try mixing up a teaspoonful or two of organic baby rice with baby’s usual milk.

For your 7-month-old and older, pieces of well-cooked scrambled egg (organic free range ones) are also nutritious and easy for babies to pick up and eat. Throw in a mixture of organic vegetables, like carrots, potato, sweet corn and peas, and puree. Mash avocado and banana together or squash and potato, and you’ll have a baby all time favorite on a plate.

Meat need not be excluded from your menu. There is organic meat available in the market, which comes from animals fed well and treated humanely. Pack your baby’s diet with iron-filled meat, pureed to your baby’s liking.

Organic milk (whole full fat milk, not semi-skimmed or skimmed) is also available and are found to have omega 3 essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins E and A, including calcium. Full-fat organic yogurt are also available in plain or fruit varieties and are easy for babies to eat.



Photo from commons.wikimedia.org

SOURCES:
? Maribel Jane Galang, M.P.A. R.N.D., Health and Wellness Department Educator, Manila Adventist Hospital
? Websites: organicfood.co.uk; theorganicreport.com