Organic food is “in”.
You don’t have to go to a health-food store anymore to find organically-grown fruits and vegetables. Even organic canned goods, grains, dairy products, cookies and crackers are now carried by many mainstream grocery stores. In Israel, larger supermarkets boast a טבע - “natural” aisle, with an array of organic beans, grains, flour, canned goods and sweets. Even our mid-size neighborhood store sells an assortment of organic vegetables in their produce department.
“Organic” refers to the way farmers grow and produce foods. Organic farmers feed their soil with compost or manure rather than chemical fertilizers. They use beneficial insects or traps rather than insecticides to reduce pests and disease. They’ll rotate their crops or use mulch to manage weeds, instead of using chemical herbicides.
Organic foods are free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. The idea is to reduce environmental damage and conserve natural resources. And to produce healthier food.
Is there a health benefit to eating organic food?
Although we can’t say for sure just how harmful they are, it stands to reason that pesticide and hormone-laden foods can’t be good for you.
Are organically-grown foods more nutritious? A few studies have shown higher vitamin, mineral and micro-nutrient content in some organic produce. But there’s no conclusive evidence that organic food is more nutritious than conventionally-grown food.
What do I think?
I prefer to buy organic when it’s in season and the quality is good. And when it's affordable. I won't buy droopy-looking carrots or berries flown in from South America – organic or not.
When organic isn't available, I buy conventionally-grown local produce. Because it's not easy to eat enough fruits and vegetables. And it's often impossible to find many nutritious ones that are organically-grown. Fruit is even harder to find. And prices can be outrageous. So my strategy is to start with organically-grown produce and fill-in with conventionally-grown.
Right now, I can buy organic potatoes, onions, carrots, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, avocado, fennel, herbs and citrus fruit. But I won’t pass up conventionally-grown broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, apples, strawberries and persimmons that are currently in season.
You can reduce pesticide residue, dirt and bacteria on conventionally-grown produce by thoroughly washing it and trimming the outer leaves of leafy greens. Peeling helps, but then you loose nutrients and fiber. Organically-grown fruit and vegetables should also be washed carefully.
My hunch is that organically-grown food will prove to be nutritionally advantageous. Meanwhile, I'll pass on pesticides and opt for environmentally-friendly organic whenever possible.
You don’t have to go to a health-food store anymore to find organically-grown fruits and vegetables. Even organic canned goods, grains, dairy products, cookies and crackers are now carried by many mainstream grocery stores. In Israel, larger supermarkets boast a טבע - “natural” aisle, with an array of organic beans, grains, flour, canned goods and sweets. Even our mid-size neighborhood store sells an assortment of organic vegetables in their produce department.
“Organic” refers to the way farmers grow and produce foods. Organic farmers feed their soil with compost or manure rather than chemical fertilizers. They use beneficial insects or traps rather than insecticides to reduce pests and disease. They’ll rotate their crops or use mulch to manage weeds, instead of using chemical herbicides.
Organic foods are free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. The idea is to reduce environmental damage and conserve natural resources. And to produce healthier food.
Is there a health benefit to eating organic food?
Although we can’t say for sure just how harmful they are, it stands to reason that pesticide and hormone-laden foods can’t be good for you.
Are organically-grown foods more nutritious? A few studies have shown higher vitamin, mineral and micro-nutrient content in some organic produce. But there’s no conclusive evidence that organic food is more nutritious than conventionally-grown food.
What do I think?
I prefer to buy organic when it’s in season and the quality is good. And when it's affordable. I won't buy droopy-looking carrots or berries flown in from South America – organic or not.
When organic isn't available, I buy conventionally-grown local produce. Because it's not easy to eat enough fruits and vegetables. And it's often impossible to find many nutritious ones that are organically-grown. Fruit is even harder to find. And prices can be outrageous. So my strategy is to start with organically-grown produce and fill-in with conventionally-grown.
Right now, I can buy organic potatoes, onions, carrots, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, avocado, fennel, herbs and citrus fruit. But I won’t pass up conventionally-grown broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, apples, strawberries and persimmons that are currently in season.
You can reduce pesticide residue, dirt and bacteria on conventionally-grown produce by thoroughly washing it and trimming the outer leaves of leafy greens. Peeling helps, but then you loose nutrients and fiber. Organically-grown fruit and vegetables should also be washed carefully.
My hunch is that organically-grown food will prove to be nutritionally advantageous. Meanwhile, I'll pass on pesticides and opt for environmentally-friendly organic whenever possible.
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