I've mentioned that my house has chosen to go organic. And while I've brushed on some of the reasons why, I thought I'd delve into it a bit more. So, why go organic?
Isn't it funny that we all have a sense that organic is better for us, but we are not quite sure why? Well, slowly over the last couple of years I've been dabbling in buying organic. After having Landon and starting him on solids, I was adamant - ONLY ORGANIC! Well... Landon grew up. He no longer was eating out of a jar, but eating right along Nate and I. I started questioning more and more what "extras" I was feeding us by not going organic.
Alongside this, I've gotten more and more into cooking. I would say that I went from cooking a lot of our meals to now cooking most every one of them. The thing about cooking is that you are hands-on with the ingredients that are making up your meal, so shouldn't we know exactly what we are eating and where it is coming from?
And finally, a major switch happened when I attended the Stroller Strides conference awhile back. Speaker after speaker said it loud and clear, if we want ourselves and our children to grow up healthy and eating the best quality foods, we need to go organic. Now don't be scared off. Life is never black and white, and neither is eating organic. But when possible, eating organic is best.
Here is what I've learned about going organic. Dr. Alan Greene, author of Feeding Baby Green, pediatrician, and one of the amazing speakers at the conference, tells us that the nutritional quality of conventional agriculture has deteriorated over the last fifty years. Because of this, when comparing organic versus conventional crops, "Organic produce... averaged 25 more healthful nutrients per serving." 25 per serving! He also writes that "by choosing organic produce across the board you can slash pesticide exposure by about 97 percent." Isn't that crazy? This is also why my biggest change in going organic has been focusing on produce (remember the list from the last post?). It's definitely a good place to start, I think.
Along with produce, McKensie Hall says your best bets when going organic should also include dairy and meats, as well. One benefit to buying organic dairy and meat? Higher amounts of Omega 3s. Our house buys only organic milk, and we try and get organic yogurt when possible, but I'm yet to really see organic cheese options. Switching to organic meat is probably the hardest. Why? It really is more expensive... okay, a lot more expensive. We are buying our organic chicken from Costco, but as for other meat - I'm still learning.
I hope this has been helpful in giving answers to the "Why?" in going organic. As I've said, it's a learning process for me, too. I don't think change happens overnight, and in fact, I don't think it should. But if you can make organic work for you, I say go for it :)
I am 100% with you on this. Its expensive but so worth it I am finding out... I am not saying that this has always been our lifestyle. But I am now trying to focus more on clean eating lately. Sammy hasn't been getting his easy mac as much as he thinks he should.
ReplyDeleteAlso my brother in law is a dairy farmer and would argue that organic milk isn't any better for you. BUT i have worked out on the dairy and we will just say that we only do organic milk delivered to our house from one dairy. Also i think it taste better.
Im now on a kick of learning how to make baby food with good ingredients while saving money by not alway buying the prepackaged stuff although i have nothing against using it.
Sorry such a long comment :)