Organic: Necessary or Not?
Photo by Dan-Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash
I was thinking about this question while waiting in line with my grocery cart fairly full of fruits, vegetables, rice, chicken, condiments, French bread, half and half, and other odds and ends (after all who really gets out of the supermarket getting ONLY the things on their list?!?!). It was a question I had actually been asked more than once just a few hours earlier while seeing patients in the office. It is a question I get asked fairly frequently by parents who are generally curious about my opinion or mention it during a targeted conversation about weight gain in their child.
Most of us just want to know if the difference in cost of organic vs. nonorganic foods is worth it and/or if we are really getting more nutritious foods. If you are into the research, you can find studies that lean toward the conclusion you want to find. More nutritious? Some foods, yes (the grass-fed, organically raised beef); others, probably not. Safer for our present health and important for our longevity and prevention of chronic illness? Definitely! In my daily practice of general pediatrics, I especially like to remind parents that children’s bodies are more susceptible to damaging effects of chemicals by the mere fact their body size is smaller. There is little doubt that some chemicals, like certain pesticides, are known carcinogens and disrupt our endocrine system. This is extremely important for our children, who we hope will remain as toxin-free as possible for the years of reproductive health in their future (not to mention, strong immune systems and focused brains)!
So, what’s my answer to this question? Always, first and foremost, I stress WHOLE food eating. If the majority of our foods are fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, grass-fed meats, eggs, and whole grains, we are going to remove a TON of junky chemicals, preservatives, and additives from our bodies. For myself and my family of six, I try to follow the Environmental Working Group’s suggestion of avoiding higher pesticide-containing foods called “The Dirty Dozen.” As much as possible, I try to buy these foods in organic form. The organization also has a list called “The Clean Fifteen” which contains 15 foods that are typically treated with fewer pesticides. This is where I’ll save some of my money because, let’s face it…. groceries get pricey, especially when feeding a larger family! Whether you are shopping for just yourself or for a family, single parent or two-income household, food is likely one of your greatest expenses.
All of this information can feel overwhelming if you let it! So keep it simple. Eat real, WHOLE food. Limit the chemicals and JUNK where you can. The reality is that we live in a world where we have constant exposure to toxins. The best we can do is avoid what we know we can and set our goal on building a body that is resilient and strong to everything else!
Eat and live for WHOLENESS, for you and the WHOLE family!
This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to supplement, nor replace, the professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of conditions from a trained healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning or changing any health or fitness programs or stopping medication to make sure it appropriately meets your needs. If you have concerns or questions, you should always consult with your physician or other healthcare professional.