Why is organic food better for you?
Organic food is food grown, prepared and processed without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or chemical preservatives. In the US, organic foods vary by degree as set forth by the USDA. Food can be 100% Organic, Organic (at least 95% organic) or Made From Organic Ingredients (at least 70% organic).
Organic foods are thought to have higher nutritional values than conventional foods. Foods grown without pesticides and fertilizers produce more phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds. People with food allergies or who are sensitive to chemicals or preservatives often find their symptoms reduced or eliminated when they eat only organic foods.
What types of food are worth buying organic?
To reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers typically used on conventional produce. Consumer Reports’ 2020 analysis of organic food rated 16 out of 35 kinds of produce Poor or Fair for pesticides, making these the most important ones to buy organic. The categories Beef/pork, poultry/eggs, and dairy were all rated medium priority compared to produce which is a high priority item.
Health benefits of organic food include:
Organic foods are free of toxins
Neurotoxins can damage your brain and nerve cells. Many commercial food suppliers use pesticides known as organophosphates to kill pests that attack fruits and vegetables. Organophosphates kill insects, but are extremely harmful to humans as well and was used as a toxic nerve agent during World War I.
Organic foods taste better
Not only are they better tasting, but also more nutritious. Organic foods have more minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrients than commercially produced food that has been treated with chemicals. Organic food is often produced locally, resulting in the availability of fresh produce in the market and naturally tastes better than produce that has been frozen, shipped, and transported across long distances.
Organic foods protect the environment
Commercial agricultural manufacturing plants have much higher energy consumption than local farmers who only use natural methods to produce their food. By buying organic food, you’ll not only be supporting small farmers but also saving energy and protecting the environment. Organic farmers do not use harmful chemicals, resulting in minimal soil, air, and water pollution, ensuring a safer and healthier world for future generations.
Organic foods are rich in antioxidants
Organic fruits and vegetables and the antioxidants they contain help prevent premature aging, vision problems, and cognitive dysfunction. Choosing organic foods can lead to an increased supply of nutritionally desirable antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic heavy metals.
Organic foods support local farmers
Local farmers who are dedicated to providing people with high-quality, chemical-free products. Buying organic food helps support small farmers who refuse to trade in quality for quantity.
Organic foods reduce your exposure to GMOs
Commercial farms and dairy farmers feed their livestock the cheapest grain available – corn. Most often this is genetically modified corn. GMOs are prohibited in true organic products.
Organic foods reduce your exposure to hormones and antibiotics
Commercial farms and especially dairy farmers treat livestock with both antibiotics and hormones to increase milk and meat production. Organic food farmers do not use hormones or antibiotics.
Organic foods improve heart health
Grass-fed livestock produce increased amounts of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). CLA is a heart-healthy fatty acid that can boost cardiovascular protection, and it is found in higher quantities in breast milk and in the meat of animals that have been raised free-range or cage-free.
Organic foods lower your risk of cancer
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 90% of fungicides, 60% of herbicides, and 30% of insecticides used in commercial farming may contribute to the development of cancer in humans. Avoiding these carcinogenic chemicals can improve your health.
Organic Shopping Tips
Now that your client has begun to make gains in the awareness factors for some of their habits, there may be an opportunity to share some realistic shopping tips to get your client started on the conversion of their diet to include all-organic (or as much as possible).
Food items—something you buy on a regular basis, can be swapped for an organic option going forward. If you’ve been successful in persuading your client of the benefits of going organic, this will be less of a challenge for you and easier for your client to come around to accepting.
Have your client list their favorite foods and then strategize where organic variations could be considered. We’re not trying to make everyone eat perfectly; it’s more than an individual aspect. It’s a global green effort we’re adding to with our efforts
Start small. Don’t overwhelm your client or bombard them with commands about what to buy or what they are currently buying that may not be part of a perfect plan. But for their next shopping trip, have them walk through the organic food sections of your market to get to know which products are available, what the costs are, and any substitutions.
Have them make notes and discuss their comments when you consult with them after their store visit. It might also help to direct your client to find out if their store has a private generic organic label and/or “natural” brand. Many times, store brands can be less expensive than their major-label counterparts. If your client can’t tell the difference it will be even easier for them to switch.
You may want to start by encouraging your client to experiment, buying their favorite treats from the organic aisle. If your client is a coffee or tea drinker, start buying organic brands, and make these beverages at home instead of buying them in coffee shops.
If you make hot beverages at the office, bring the products you’ve purchased to work and share them with your friends to expose them to the organic options in a casual manner so that you don’t feel like the only person trying to make an effort to change or support green living lifestyles.
Another option is to suggest shopping at local farmers’ markets. Furthermore, if your client can be persuaded to generate a shopping list prior to shopping, this can keep them on point, focused, and less likely to buy impulsively.
Getting Started
Few things have a greater impact on your health than the foods you put in your body. Eating organic and eliminating chemicals and toxins from your diet will positively improve the state of their overall health and lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle.
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