Why Eat Organic?

We have always been told that eating fruits and vegetables is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This is emphasized through the USDA’s recommendation that we eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. The problem today though, is that use of pesticides on our food is growing at an alarming rate, causing our healthy diet to possibly be detrimental to our health.

Conventional farmers use more than 400 chemical pesticides when growing their crops. What is left over for the consumer is pesticide residue that remains, even after washing. Through the use of pesticides and chemicals on crops, we are being exposed to hazardous toxins daily, without even realizing it. These toxins have been linked to diseases such as breast cancer, autism, Parkinson’s Disease and birth defects. The presence of pesticides has been seen even in infants. This is a clear indication that the toxins are passed on from the mother.

The use of pesticides on our food is even more dangerous for children. Statistics have shown that the average American child gets 5 or more servings of pesticide residuals each day. Because their bodies are growing and undergoing rapid cellular development, they are very vulnerable to the effects of pesticides. Studies have even shown that children with higher levels of pesticide exposure are twice as likely to develop ADHD.

If you are curious about just how much residue is left on your food check out this website. It lets you choose your food and find out exactly what chemical is on it. Get ready though, there are some long words you won’t be able to pronounce.

While the idea of pesticides in our food is scary, there is still a way to eat fruits and vegetables without having to worry about the consequences. The answer to all these problems is eating organic. “Organically grown” refers to a method of growing food free from chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides on a land clean of such chemicals for at least 36 months. The use of pesticides isn't necessary in organic farming. By building healthy soils, organic farmers find that healthy plants are better able to resist disease and insects. There are strict federal regulations on the organic industry which help insure that organic food is as safe as possible.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, here are a few more reasons why you should always choose to eat organic.

Strict Rules

· The National Organic Program lays out requirements for both growing and processing organic foods

Strong Oversight

· Strictly regulated by the USDA

· All FDA food safety requirements apply

Organic foods are rich in nutrients

· Including iron, magnesium and vitamin which are critical to maintaining good health

No genetic modification

· Under organic standards, genetically modified crops and ingredients are not allowed

It tastes good

· Well-balances soil produces strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals

· Many people actually prefer to eat organic food because they think it tastes better.

No additives

· Organic food doesn’t contain additives that can cause health problems such as heart disease, migraines, hyperactivity and osteoporosis

Organic producers are leaders in innovative research

· Organic farmers excel with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agricultures impact on the environment.

Remember, when shopping for food, make sure it is labeled with the “USDA Organic” seal. Products labeled “100% Organic” and carrying the “USDA Organic” seal are just that – they contain all organically produced ingredients. Its your body, make sure you feed it the best.