The 5 Benefits of Eating Organic Food

In the Philippines, we are bombarded with images of affordable processed foods: hot dogs, instant noodles, powdered juice or milk drinks, and the like. I don’t buy it, since we prefer organic food.

What exactly is organic food?
The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. The farming practices employed in producing organic food are directed towards reduced pollution, water and soil conservation, and traditional fertilization and pest control methods. It eschews the use of chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and growth hormones.

However, you don’t need to buy strictly organic foods so your family can eat healthy.  By buying and consuming food that is traditionally produced (not genetically-engineered), whole (preservative and additive-free, antibiotic-free), and locally grown in season could already greatly improve your family’s health.

Whole foods are any foods that are as close to their natural state as possible for consumption. Not all whole foods are produced using organic methods; however, the term does mean that the food is unprocessed and unrefined. Whole foods are free of chemicals, additives and preservatives, and do not have any unnecessary added sugars and salt. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, eggs, meat, fish and poultry that have not been processed are considered whole foods. It is an extra health boost if these whole foods are produced using organic methods.


The benefits of eating organic food

1. It’s better for your health.
“Read labels and understand how food is prepared,” says Jackie Dellota, fulltime mom and organic health advocate and member of the Organic Producers Trade Association (OPTA). “You research and you learn that there are many things that are not in line with natural health. We have to be wise when we choose foods, (and choose) what is nutrient-dense.” Nutrient dense is food that is closest to its natural state, usually raw, and not genetically modified by the use of hormones. Jackie, who sells organic, whole, and natural food items which her family consumes, advises mothers to go for local foods which are seasonal to ensure their wholeness and optimum nutritive benefits.  

 

Click here to read more about the benefits for the family of eating organic food.

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Read more about the benefits for the family of eating organic food.

 

2. It’s better for your kids’ health. Eating organic, whole and natural foods is beneficial for children, whose immature and developing organs and immune systems make them more susceptible to toxins than adults. In fact, additives such as artificial coloring, MSG, flavorings, sweeteners, phosphoric acid, hydrogenated fat and preservatives in food and drink have been linked with hyperactivity in pre-school children. These have also been linked with obesity, immune deficiency, even high blood pressure. In short, by giving children a balanced diet consisting of whole, unprocessed foods (not necessarily organic), families can still potentially avoid these health risks.

3. You get more out of your food. Whole fruits and vegetables—whether grown using organic methods or not—are rich in phytonutrients, a majority of which are antioxidants which come from a plant’s defense system. These nutrient levels are naturally higher in organic produce, simply because the crops are not assisted by chemical pesticides. Recent studies show that organic produce contains between 10 to 50% more phytonutrients than conventional produce. These phytonutrients help control the hardening of arteries, the development of certain cancers and heart disease, decalcification of the bones, muscle spasms, even certain types of depression. So you could say that eating whole and organic foods makes one healthy and happy!

4. You eat “safer” foods. Eating whole foods which are organic is safer for your family.  A recent article in the Journal of Applied Nutrition maintained that organic foods have much lower levels of heavy metals, which means that the water used to grow the produce, for example, is sourced naturally and is free from possible mineral toxins. Further research has shown that a number of pesticides are toxic and can contribute to conditions of Parkinson’s disease, reproductive disorders and respiratory problems. Even organic milk (which comes from cows that have not been given hormones and antibiotics) contains more anti-oxidants, omega 3, CLA, and vitamins. With organic food, you can be sure your family only gets the premium health benefits from milk as well as other whole foods.

5. You invest in your future health. Israeli researchers have linked dietary pesticide intake with headaches, depression, poor memory, allergies, convulsions, and other negative effects, including cancer. Organic foods are a simple way to reduce an individual's toxin burden of pesticides and food additives, increase their nutrient intake, and perhaps alter their consumption patterns away from less healthy choices. By eating organically, you are paving the way for a more resilient and healthful future for your kids as well as yourself.  

 

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

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

 

What can you do to eat more organic food?
Eating organically as much as possible is really about going back to how our ancestors ate. You don’t need to start buying all organics right away, but you can make small adjustments to your diet in order to accommodate them. For example, start by ordering organic vegetables–there are several delivery options and organic veggie pick-up points nowadays. Stop buying sugared drinks and powdered milk; make fresh fruit juice from whole fruits, and buy fresh milk instead. By making small adjustments, you can slowly ease into organic eating, and into a lifestyle of overall wellness for you and your family.

For a list of establishments where you can buy organic produce, click here.

 

Photo from sxc.hu