Last blog post we talked about various herbs and a few of the “top” ones that you might want to have around your house. I hope you enjoyed reading that post and I hope that you bought a few of those to try. I know that I did and found myself using turmeric more often than I had before!
As promised, this week I wanted to talk about buying organic verses non-organic foods and the pros and cons of each.
Organic foods typically are farmed and produced without any extra additives or chemicals. When you purchase things that are organic, make sure you watch out for the label of “USDA” organic, which means it has been certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture. There are many companies out there that claim “natural” and this does not mean they are organic, so read your labels first!
Non organic foods are simply fruits and vegetables and foods that are made sometimes with the use of pesticides or chemicals. Many times chemicals are used on fruits and vegetables so that bugs do not interfere with their growth and so that they grow as large as they can before harvesting. These chemicals are not usually at levels that can harm us as majority of fruits and vegetables are regulated by the USDA as well.
A few things to note are that when buying organic vs non-organic:
– Organic products will typically be more expensive because more time and resources go in to harvesting them and many times organic products aren’t mass produced. With less supply and the high demand for organic, prices tend to be high.
– Many times organic products such as organic meats or vegetables might be slimmer or shaped differently than their non-organic counterparts. This isn’t a bad thing it’s just a sign that they are all unique and have not been treated with chemicals.
Lastly, the best products to buy organic are those where you consume their skin such as apples, berries, celery, lettuce, etc.
Over the years the debate of organic vs non-organic has gone back and forth and will probably continue to. Make the choice that works for you and for your food budget. For either option, always keep in mind a balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruits is best. If you have any questions about how to create a healthy diet or how to make healthy food decisions please contact us!
At Carlos and Parnell, M.D., P.A. our professional and caring staff makes the difference with patient care. – See more at: http://www.dev.carlosparnellmd.com/thermometers-and-babies/#sthash.MFvVROkI.dpuf
