Many moms making an effort to raise healthy kids can feel overwhelmed with all the information available these days. No gluten? What is gluten? Does it have to be organic? The words “organic″ and “natural″ seem to be everywhere. You may even find that some of your favorite childhood breakfast cereals now have an organic line. Demand for organic food is at an all time high, especially for infants and children. In fact, organic food sales in the USA have risen between 17 and 21% a year since 1997.
What does it mean?
The National Organic Standard Board (NOSB) was established after the Organic Food Production Act of 1990. Before this, there was very little uniformity in what “organic″ actually meant. According to the NOSB, the following list contains what you WON’T find in your food when buying organic:
- Growth hormones: commonly given to beef and dairy, there are 6 approved hormones pumped into 80% of non-organic animals.
- Antibiotic resistant bacteria: 70% (26.4 million pounds) of the antibiotics produced in the US are given to livestock. This over-medicating results in bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. These resistant bacteria then make their way onto your plate and into your body.
- Sewage sludge: non-organic farms are fertilized with municipal sewage sludge. Yes, that’s what gets flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink. Over 3 million tons of sewage sludge is spread on American soil each year.
- Pesticide residues: mass production has led to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, many of which end up in your body. The average American consumes approximately 70 pesticide residues a day.
- Inhumane treatment of animals: organic standards have strict regulations for the treatment of livestock to accommodate their natural behaviors including access to fresh air, sunshine, shade, and room to walk or run.
What does it all mean?
The amount of pesticides and herbicides used in production can vary from food to food. Almost 127 different types of these chemicals have been found on a single slice of wheat bread. Some scientists claim pesticides and herbicides have very little effect on the body. There is, however, a growing body of evidence that suggests these chemicals can have adverse health effects, especially on sensitive populations such as children, infants, expectant mothers, persons with weakened immune systems, and the elderly. Some studies have shown organic foods have a higher nutrient content. On a very simple level, organic foods taste better. The next time you’re at the grocery store, compare an organic apple with a conventional apple- which one looks better to eat? Rub your hands over each apple. Does the conventional apple leave a residue on your hands? That is because apples are often sprayed with wax to keep them looking shiny.
Becoming a new parent has probably made you think about what the world will be like when your child gets older. Choosing organic can give you peace of mind in knowing that the food you feed your child is produced with a less harmful environmental impact and is contributing to a healthier future.
Do I need eat all organic everything?
The choice is up to you. Organic foods tend to be a bit more expensive than conventionally produced foods. What is important is to try to eat as healthy as you can within your means. Learn to become a savvy shopper. Organic foods do go on sale and stores that specialize in organic foods often have better prices than those that don’t. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit environmental research organization, has a list of the “Dirty Dozen″ – the 12 foods with the highest amount of pesticides. The EWG also ranks foods from the highest to lowest pesticide count. Visit www.foodnews.org for more details. This can help you decide which produce is most important to buy organic.
In regards to children and infants, organic is always best when possible. Jarred baby foods are concentrated. If not organic, they can be a concentrated dose of pesticides. Pesticides and herbicides can also cause allergic reactions. If you suspect your child or infant has food allergies or intolerances, eliminating pesticides can help you narrow down suspected reactive foods. For more information on organic foods for healthy development visit: www.organic-center.org
Article References:
1. Organic Food Facts, Organic Trade Association
2. Lu C. "biological monitoring survey of organophosphorus pesticide exposure among preschool children in Seattle metropolitan area" environmental health perspectives v109; no.3 march 2001
3. Davis D. et al. "changes in USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops 1950 to 1999" J of the Am College of Nutr. vol 23, no. 6; pp.669-682
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