shanmarie1083 asked:


I’d like to start buying some organic foods, but I’ve heard that buying organic in some food is just a waste of money. Which types of food should I spend the extra money on buying organic?

SHEA

oliveoil asked:


I have been in group co ops before, but I am looking for a more convienient way because I cannot get out much anymore and it’s hard to get any help in picking up my orders.
I mainly am looking for meats and veggies that are organic.
Thank you for any help you can give.

LALEH

Julian Hall asked:


Sir John’s comments led to a letter in The Guardian newspaper from the Policy Director of the Soil Association, Peter Melchett who wrote, ‘Sir John’s anti-organic prejudice is matched by his love of GMOs…”. So, in 2006, has the organic information overload left us with facts or fiction? We take a look at the top 5 myths.

1. No nutritional difference between organic and conventional produce.

According to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics the demand for organic foods are increasing due to consumers believing they are safer and healthier than conventional foods. Even though there are still gaps and limits in scientific knowledge, what we do know is that fewer chemicals are used in small organic farming than conventionally grown alternatives. It is well documented that residues remain on our conventional foods and consumed by us over decades, aids heavily to accumulating fatty tissue. Organic food regulations prohibit hydrogenated fat, phosphoric acid, preservatives, colourings, hormones, antibiotics, GMOs and 7000 other artificial flavourings that are permitted in conventional food.

There is also the environmental issue to which the organic farming method lends its benefits. The use of drugs is restricted in organic farming which not only keeps animals healthy but results in cryptosporidium, listeria and almonella being a rare occurrence in organic foods. There is a direct relationship between intensive cattle-rearing and E.coli which is virtually non-existent in organic beef, but kills over 200 Americans and Britons each year.

2.Consumers are paying too much for organic food?

This debate has grown since the days of comparing the price of an organic apple for a conventional apple. It seems that the ‘value’ of organic produce goes beyond its price tag.

Nutritionally: In terms of dry weight and nutrients, organic food tends to have more in it Why? Produce grown organically through modern methods of small organic farming must be done in enriched soil. The growth of a plant can be sped up by agrochemicals changing its structure to have more water in it. As a result, non-organic produce can sometimes shrink more on cooking as the water content dissipates.

Price: Average price difference is 20 per cent between organic and non-organic. However given that it can contain up to 26 per cent more dry matter (less water) could it actually be cheaper to buy organic?

Conclusion: It may still look like an apple you are actually buying less food if you don’t buy organic.

3. Organic food and weight loss.

Organic butter can still make you put on weight and clog up your arteries. Organic sweets and sugar will still rot your teeth. However, certain kinds of organic food based nutrients found in vegetable broth can act as appetite suppressants as it does not contain excitotoxins. What are excitotoxin? These ingredients can cause neurological disorders by overexciting nerve cells and so causing hunger. Ingredients such as vegetable proteins, autolyzed yeast extract, MSG, yeast extract and others. This is perhaps more important in babies who can eat five times the amount of food per kg as an adult. Therefore, making sure they eat correctly and to not overeat is nowadays a growing concern. Babies in particular eat far more fruit and vegetables than most adults and are the very foods most likely to be covered in agrichemical residues.

4. The public is happy with regular, non-organic produce.

Some say that the public is happy with what’s on the supermarket shelves, however various consumer surveys in Europe show many people are worried about pesticides, NPK fertilizers in small organic farming and processed food in general. In the United Kingdom a survey found 44% of all consumers were concerned about pesticides and 43% about the use of food additives (Food Standards Agency, 2003). This suggests that organic food based nutrients is something which people are taking more notice of.

5. Organic farming increases the risk of food poisoning.

The Department of Nutrition in Greece said:

“It is difficult…to weigh the risks, but what should be made clear to consumers is that ‘organic’ does not equal ‘safe’.

Much of this was based on the theory that if we don’t use ‘modern’ day chemical pesticides that bacteria such as E Coli could not effectively be treated on crops. However studies made by S.K. Sagoo, C.L. Little & R.T. Mitchell on the microbiological quality of organic vegetables in UK small organic farming & demand showed that: “The majority (3185 of 3200; 99•5%) of samples were found to be of satisfactory/acceptable quality whilst only 15 (0•5%) were of unsatisfactory quality. Unsatisfactory results were due to Escherichia coli and Listeria spp…..The absence of pathogens and the low incidence of E. coli indicate that overall agricultural, hygiene; harvesting and production practices were good”

They suggested that the growth in the organic market has reflected an increase in the associated microbiological safety.



LAMAR

Kevin C asked:


I am moving to a rural town and was wondering how to go about getting organic foods.

MILI

Jack Bauer my Hero asked:


I just ate about a entire bag of baked cheetos in like 2 days. I think there are additves in foods that make people addicted to them…..

Is organic better for you?

NERISSA

NeoCulexor asked:

James has a small rant about organic foods.

MATTOX

Child of the King 2007 asked:


There is a segament next week on world news tonight about organic foods. Why are people saying that Organic foods and products aren’t worth buy? I am getting into organic foods and each time I eat the Organic foods I feel better.

NATINE

Zachary Thompson asked:


There are many contaminants that assault us on a daily basis. These toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the foods we eat, to name just a few. Eating organic food greatly reduces the toxins we consume in our food. Organic food is becoming more popular as people are becoming more health conscious. There are now certain regulations for growing organic foods commercially and many foods, especially eggs, bear an organic certification label.

What is organic food?

Organic food is food that is grown naturally without the aid of commercial fertilizers and chemicals like insecticides, herbicides, and anti-fungal substances. Organic growers use only organic fertilizers and remedies for growing plants. These foods are natural and unrefined. Feeding the animals food that has no chemicals added to it in turn produces organic animal products such as meat, poultry and eggs. For example, chickens and poultry are allowed to roam free as opposed to being kept cooped up in cages, and fruits and vegetables are not chemically ripened.

Advantages of organic food:

There are several advantages for us in eating organic foods:

• There are considerably less toxins in the food as it is grown without the aid of chemicals

• It is often better tasting

• Better for you-there are more nutrients in organic foods and Omega 3 is often found in organic eggs.

How Organic food will improve your health:

A natural diet consisting of unrefined foods, more fiber less chemicals and toxins will improve your overall health in several ways:

• More fiber from fiber rich foods and those that are unrefined will help your digestive system and allow your whole body to function better.

• Some organic eggs are produced from chickens that are fed on vegetarian feed. This will cut down trans fat and animal fat in the eggs. Omega 3 is found in organic eggs, this substance can be good for the heart.

• There is more iron in the yolk of an organic egg. As seen by the pale color of the commercial egg yolk as opposed to the dark yellow/orange of the organic egg.

• Due to the absence of refinement in organic food it is more satisfying and will help you with any weight loss program by encouraging you to eat less.

• Organic fruits and vegetables have more nutrition than commercially grown ones so you will be feeding your body with better food and improve your overall health.

Organic foods are the wave of the future as more people become more educated about their health and the foods that are good for them. At present, prices are a little higher for organic products but it is worth it when you consider the benefits. By switching to organic food you will improve your health and wellbeing and you will also be able to boost your immune system and help your body fight off diseases and toxins.



RHETT

Marvelissa VT asked:


Because I am not interested in spending every penny I earn at Whole Foods just to eat organic.

Where are some of the best places to find organic foods such as fruit, veggies and meats in Atlanta (North Atlanta) - that are budget friendly?
I originally posted this Q in the Atlanta section, but after half an hour haven’t gotten any response.

I’ve considered Trader Joe’s - but have heard several people say thier produce isn’t so great.

TEENIE

Ambie asked:


I only buy organic food for myself so when I get a dog I want it to have an organic dog food. If you could give me some brand names that would be helpful. Thanks!

LONDON