13
Oct, 2021
vegetables

A Comprehensive Guide to Organic Food.

Many of us are trying to live a healthier lifestyle and are trying to be more environmentally friendly. We are all trying to eat more organic food because we are told they are better for our health. But what exactly is organic food? Are we being sold a dream, or do truly organic foods exist? For most of us, the last time we heard the term organic was in chemistry class, and honestly, that’s a box I’d rather not open because high school was one of the seven circles of hell for me. Don’t worry because we are here to help you understand the world of organic food.

So can food be truly organic?

apples

Well, you won’t like the answer. The common consensus is that it depends on the brand and produce; organic doesn’t have a universal meaning and is used as a catch-all to sell produces to consumers in the organic craze. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the term organic is defined as any product that avoids using “man-made fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives.” If you find something in the grocery store with the label “USDA Organic” or “Certified Organic”, it means that produce is 95 percent or more organic. The remaining 5 percents are foods or additives that the USDA has preapproved. This means that even your so-called organic vegetable might have a small amount of additives (be it approved by the USDA) in them.

The benefit of Organic Food.

  1. Contain less or fewer pesticides. As this explicitly banded for organic food, well up to a level that is, it is better for your health. People who are allergic to certain pesticides or chemicals can enjoy them without worrying about anything.
  2. It is GMO-free. GMO means Genetically modified Organisms and is also known as genetically engineered food (GE); examples of this are seedless watermelon and sugar beets. Organic food isn’t genetically modified at all; it let nature run its natural course. This means these plants will be left to grow as if they were in nature, albeit with some help, but still, it’s the most organic food you can get unless you go foraging.
  3. They tend to be fresher. Because they are not jacked up with preservatives, thus meaning they don’t last long. So they have to be consumed as soon as they are harvested and put on the shelves. They tend to be sold by small farmers and are usually sold in farmers market and thus you are able to enjoy freshers and healthier food.
  4. They are better for the environment. Because they use less pesticide and additives, thus create fewer pollutants for the surrounding ecosystem. Organic food is better for the soil, conserving water, increasing soil fertility, and reducing soil erosion and our health.

Do they contain any pesticides?

As mentioned earlier, they do contain a certain level of pesticide, though it is lower than the amount found in non-organic food. So, despite popular beliefs, yes, organic foods aren’t 100% organic; it’s not really false advertising because if you read the fine print, you’ll know that it’s there. But, let’s be honest, who reads the fine print? It’s like the terms and conditions that we all click to acknowledge that we barely even read. The difference with organic food and produce is that they only use natural pesticides rather than synthetic ones that conventional farmers use. Though they are believed to be less toxic, there is some risk associated with their consumption.

herbicide

Risk of pesticide.

Though you have a lower risk of being exposed to harmful pesticides with organic foods, the possibility is still there. However, the effects aren’t immediate; it takes years and even decades to show because of our slow exposure to small amounts and accumulates over time. It can cause health issues such as weakening the immune system, headaches, and even congenital disabilities.

Studies have also shown that exposure to pesticides even at small doses can increase the development of cancers like leukemia, prostate and breast cancer, and brain tumor. Children and fetuses are even more at risk because their immune systems aren’t fully developed and can cause severe complications, like developmental issues, motor dysfunction, and even developmental delays.

The best way to get rid of pesticides and avoid their consumption is to wash and rinse your produce thoroughly and consume organic produce as much as possible. Though they also contain a certain amount of chemicals, it is significantly less than you will find in your average produce. Sound off in the comment section below and tell us if you learnt anything new today.

4
May, 2021

Adopting Environmentally-Friendly Eating Habits

The Green and sustainable living movement is sweeping the whole world and now people are focusing more on what they eat. If you care and want to protect the environment, then read on to learn about some of the environmentally-friendly eating habits.

At the Store

 

1.Reuse Bags at the Store

Premium Photo | Disposable biodegradable kraft paper bags

You will be surprised when I tell you that each year in the United States alone, people use over 100 billion plastic bags, which costs at least 12 million barrels of oil. Can you actually imagine that?

Moreover, it is noted that worldwide, approximately only 1 % of plastic bags are actually recycled. And, of course, it means that the rest end up in landfills, oceans or somewhere else in the environment. And the consequences? Nearly one million birds, 100 000 turtles and other marine animals die after ingesting discarded plastics. Plastic bags pose a threat not only to aquatic life but also to other numerous elements of the environment, such as the dilapidation of agricultural land.

So, if you want to play a role in preventing millions of trees from being cut down to make plastic shopping bags, next time you go to the store, make sure to bring a reusable bag with you.

2. Avoid Items With Excess Packaging

If you wonder why let me tell you that excess packaging is often and mostly made out of unsustainable materials that contribute in increasing the waste in landfills. And, maybe the worst culprit of all is polystyrene, which is not only a suspected carcinogen but is also produced through a process that has a tremendous negative impact on the environment. This is why it is recommended to purchase products with minimal packaging.

3. Do Not Purchase Plastic Bottles

Image tag: plastic, image quantity: 984 | tag | Hippopx

With all these billions of plastic bottles around, I think you can already guess how many tons of plastic are being used to produce these bottles. And, let’s not forget the landfills that are being overflowed with these bottles.

One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to use tap water which is much better compared to these bottled water.

4. Choose the Right Shop

Why don’t you choose to buy and give your money to eco-friendly stores, both in the organization’s practices and in the food selections they provide.

Eating

 

5. Start Eating It Raw

Carrots, Basket, Vegetables, Market, Food

Now, it is true that not all foods can be eaten raw, but there are some vegetables, for example, that can be eaten raw and can help you to save energy on gas from your stone. For instance, instead of boiling or sauteing a raw carrot, why don’t you chew it down?

Below is a list of food that can be eaten raw:

  • Pineapple
  • Coconut
  • Blueberries
  • Broccoli
  • Onions
  • Red Bell Peppers
  • Nuts
  • Seaweed

6. Go Local

For those who didn’t know, eating locally produced food is one of the best ways to live eco-friendly and to reduce your carbon footprint. Besides, locally grown foods are fresher, tastier and retain more nutrients compared to food products that are usually shipped across the globe.

7. Eat a Lot of What You Buy

Do you know how many people around the world are dying due to starvation? Forget about the adults and think about all those needy and innocent children who die from hunger each year? Sd, isn’t it?

But, now what if I tell you that according to the statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organization, over 1.3 billion of food ends in landfills every year?

This is why it is always said not to waste the food you buy.

8. Go for Organic

Blueberries, Bunch, Berries, Fruits, Bunch Of Berries

Here, only food labels can help.

There are specific certified organic foods that are generally grown and processed using farming ways that recycle resources, do not make use of synthetic pesticides or bio-engineered genes, hence promoting sustainability.

But, remember, even if organic foods have numerous benefits on the environment, they can be costly and if you have a certain budget to abide to, then you need to calculate and limit your organic purchase to the ones that make the most impact.

Will you follow these tips? Please share your comments!