Have you heard that organic foods are healthy to eat and good for the environment? If you have, you may be interested in making the switch to organic foods. With that being said, you may still be a little bit uncertain about doing so. For many individuals, a change in eating habits is a big deal. In fact, a change in eating habits can also be considered a lifestyle change. To help ensure that you are making the right decision, you may first want to examine the pros and cons of eating organic foods.
Perhaps, the greatest pro or plus side to eating organically is the health benefits. Organic food differ from many of the other foods that are available for sale today because they are not made with chemicals and other additives, some of which may be harmful to our bodies. Organic food is one hundred percent, completely natural. You are also given guarantees, as most organic foods must be certified and pass rigorous tests.
Another pro or plus side to eating organically is that organic food is ideal for individuals of all ages. This is great if you are looking to have your whole family eat organic, not just yourself. It is also important know that organic foods aren't just fruits and vegetables. There are snacks, drinks, and deserts that are all considered organic. Most organic foods, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and snacks are designed for individuals of all ages. With that being said, there are also many companies that specialize in selling organic foods for babies and toddlers. One of those companies is Earth's Best Organic.
Another pro or plus side to making the switch to organic foods is that you can do your part to help the environment, as well as organic farmers. Unfortunately, farms seem to be a dying bread in the United States. Many farmers, even those who have been farming for years are finding it too costly to continue. Although most will simply just close down their operations, others decide to make the switch to organic foods. This not only helps to keep farmers afloat and in business, but it can also help the environment, by eliminating the number of pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals that are used.
Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to buying and eating organic foods, it is also important to touch on the downsides of doing so as well. One of the biggest cons or downsides associated with eating organic is the cost of doing so. Visiting one of your local supermarkets and walking through an organic food section will give you an idea as to the costs. When compared to other foods, organic does cost more money. While that cost is more than worth it to many, some are turned off by it. With that being said, it is important to know that there are a number of ways that you can save money on organic foods. These ways involve searching for store sales on organic foods or by using organic food coupons.
There are also many individuals who are unhappy with the selection of organic foods that they are able to gain access to locally. For the largest selection of organic foods locally, examine specialty organic food stores, as they specialize solely in the selling of natural foods. The internet can also be examined, as there a number of product manufacturers who sell their organic foods online, as well as organic food stores that sell a number of different brands.
There's so much buzz about organic foods these days. It's becoming more and more mainstream all the time. Conscientious moms (and dads) are voting with their dollars and big business is finally listening. You may even purchase some organic milk or maybe organic apples at your house. If you're like I was initially, you go to pick up the gallon of organic milk, and you're eye catches the price difference of the conventional milk. You may feel a twinge of uncertainty - is this really worth it or am I being taken for a ride here? Or, you may all ready know what I now realize, that organic foods are very important for growing children's bodies, and you feel a bit mad that you have to pay more in order to provide your kids with food that's not covered in cancer-causing pesticides or that didn't come from genetically modified seeds. You may even wonder (yes,I have wondered this), what was I thinking when I signed-up for this parenting thing? I certainly never realized how much I would be thinking about things like food and poop (that's a whole other story). But, here I am and I am thinking about those things because I have little people who are counting on that fact.
What is Organic Exactly?
So, back to what's all the buzz about organic? Well, first let's define organic. I'll refer to Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician, who spells it out on his website: "Organic refers to the way agricultural products—food and fiber—are grown and processed. It is an ecological system that relies on healthy, rich soil to produce plants that resist pests and diseases. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of innovative practices that work with nature, instead of against it, such as crop rotation, cover crop planting, beneficial insect release and composting. In the case of livestock, no antibiotics or synthetic hormones are permitted. Organic production also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic practices mean: No pesticides to contaminate our soil and water or injure farm workers; No fertilizers to runoff and contaminate rivers, lakes and oceans; And, a healthier and more sustainable environment for us all."
So, Why is This Issue So Important for Our Children?
The chemicals used in conventional farming are known to pose many health risks to humans, especially children. Children's cells are literally made out of the food they eat. The nutrients and the non-nutrients, like the chemicals and artificial ingredients, are the building blocks for their cells and their cells in turn build their organs. Cells also communicate with other cells. If children's cells are being built out of toxic chemicals, it's easy to see how they may start talking jibberish to each other and how they may not be building the healthiest of bodies.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Children are at a greater risk for some pesticides for a number of reasons. Children's internal organs are still developing and maturing and their enzymatic, metabolic, and immune systems may provide less natural protection than those of an adult. There are "critical periods" in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual's biological system operates. Children may be exposed more to certain pesticides because they often eat different foods than adults."
A study conducted by the University of Washington tracked a group of preschool children. There were 18 with organic diets and 21 with conventional diets. Their urine was analyzed for evidence of exposure to five different kinds of toxic pesticides. The researchers found that the average total was six- to almost nine-times higher for children with conventional diets than for children with organic diets.
Okay, But Why Does Organic Food Cost so Much More?
There are many reasons organic foods cost more - it is more labor intensive due to not using pesticides to protect the crops, there is more cost in creating and maintaining healthy soils that will produce nutrient-rich, healthy plants, and government subsidies offered to conventional farmers may not be available to organic farmers. Whatever the reasons, it is important to realize that while the cost may be more for the organic foods, the benefits for our families are much greater. I only have one chance to help build those bones and those hearts and those eyes, and since it took 30 years for the government to realize that DDT was responsible for so many medical problems and deaths of many children before it was banned in the US, I'm not going to leave it up to the EPA to decide what's safe for my growing kids. I know intuitively, and I'm sure you do too, that foods that aren't sprayed with a host of chemicals are a lot healthier for everyone, especially kids.
It becomes a matter of adjusting our spending priorities and doing the best we can to protect our children from the chemicals that are so prominent in our environment. Buying organic foods, even if it is just some of our weekly groceries, is one way we can protect our children.
Both Jasper Sayer & Angelle Batten are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jasper Sayer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dieting, Gardening and Lose Weight. Want to find out about and. Jasper Sayer's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Angelle Batten has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Fitness and Health. Health Kids, Happy Moms @ Two moms, one a Holistic Health Educator and the. Angelle Batten's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.