Organic food and it's Benefits

We keep hearing the word “Organic” all around us nowadays. It has essentially become a term synonymous with health and well being of self and the planet. Some if not all, might wonder if it really a healthier choice or just another fad or marketing strategy. Here’s a few reasons why it actually is not just a trend.

• Less exposure to chemicals: Your body will thank you for not feeding it with chemical laden foods. Foods that are not organic are sprayed with man made synthetic pesticides which are banned from use on organic food. One of the examples being Glyphosate which is a common herbicide. These inorganic foods can cause hormonal imbalances in your body leading to a lot of health issues. 
• Homegrown organic vegetables taste better: Nothing tastes better than growing your own vegetables in your garden. Best part? You know how clean and fresh your produce is! No contamination and no wilting veggies. Also, homegrown veggies have a longer shelf life and still taste better after days compared to market bought.
• Higher level of antioxidants and omegas: Lots of nutrients get destroyed in the fruits and vegetables when soil is sprayed with pesticides. It also affects your dairy and meat  as well. If the livestock is being fed inorganic food that is what will go in their body and be passed in milk and eggs.

• Organic food is also GMO free: GMO- Genetically modified organisms. Modifying the base structure of a crop or animal to make it grow faster or bigger. Organic food is not allowed to be modified and is GMO free. 
• Great for the environment: Not spraying the soil or plants with chemicals is not just good for our body but better for the environment as well. Lesser pollution, more fertile soil and lesser chemical exposure to wildlife. 

If you don’t know where to start. You can start with simple small changes like starting your own small garden or follow EWG (Environmental Working Group) guidelines of the dirty dozen and clean 15 list that they come out with, every year. Clean15 are the ones with the least amount of pesticides used and won't have much impact if buying inorganic as well. Whereas dirty dozen are the ones which have the most amount of pesticides used and should be essentially bought and consumed only organic. 

EWG’s 2020 dirty dozen list includes: Strawberry, Spinach,Kale, Nectarines, Apples,Grapes,Peaches, Cherries,Pears,Tomatoes,Celery, Potatoes (+ Hot peppers.)

Let’s look at the clean 15: Avocados, Corn, Pineapple, Papaya, Onions, Sweet Peas (frozen), Eggplant, Asparagus, Cauliflower, Cantaloupe, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi.

It can feel like an overwhelming task in the beginning but starting slow is the key. Start with the EWG list and you can buy some and maybe grow some as well.