With so much controversy surrounding nutrition, it is not surprising that many are confused on what to eat for modern disease prevention, and to promote optimal health. The only thing that is agreed upon by most health care practitioners and nutritionists is that we should eat more fresh vegetables...but even this is colored with concern over the consumption of commercial, organic or biodynamic produce. I firmly believe that knowledge is power, and that it is important to continually educate ourselves for a better future, improved health and environmental sustainability. We must have a healthy environment to ensure our health and the health of future generations. Let's explore the difference between these options:
• Conventionally grown produce is usually picked when unripe and then allowed to
ripen en route to the store. This may take several days if not weeks depending upon
where it was picked.
• Each day the produce is away from the root-system it grew on
decreases the amount of precious enzymes, needed for digestion,
contained in the item.
• Conventionally grown foods are often irradiated to kill pathogens on them which also
kills all living plant enzymes.
• The FDA states that conventionally grown imported food is three times more likely to
contain illegal pesticide residues.
• Organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation.
Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or
growth hormones.
The five digit code beginning with a “9” tells you these foods are organic,
“9” - Organic “8” - GMO or GE “4” - Conventional.
"The Link Between Organic and Health: New Research Makes the Case for Organic Even Stronger," Organic Processor Magazine
A beautifully laid out cover story in "Organic Processing Magazine"
surveys the major scientific milestones in 2007 shedding clearer light
on the benefits of organic food and farming.
When to buy organic: The list below shows the fruits and vegetables that the USDA claims have the most pesticide residues. You should always look for organic versions of the following foods: Apples, Apricots, Bell Peppers, Blackberries, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Celery, Cucumbers, Imported Grapes, Green Beans, Nectarines, Parsnips, Peaches, Pears, Peppers,
Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Red Raspberries, Rutabagas Spinach, and Strawberries and Turnips.
If you are unable to purchase organic produce, you should try to choose
from the following list of foods that are not as heavily sprayed with
toxins and therefore safer when you must choose conventionally grown:
Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Sweet Corn, Kiwi,
Mangos, Onions, Papaya, Pineapples, and Sweet Peas.
GMO
or GE refers to Genetically Modified Organism or Genetically
Engineered. These foods have been altered at the gene level. We are
constantly being made aware of the dangers of eating these foods. We
have somehow become the lab rats in the food industries studies. For
very enlightening information on the subject you might read “Seeds of
Deception” by Jeffrey M. Smith. In his book he documents significant
health dangers of genetically modified (GM) foods
and the intense
industry influence and political corruption that allow them on the
market, all at the cost of our health. (Elaine Newkirk)
Biodynamic agriculture is the oldest consciously organic approach to farming and gardening and is one of the most sustainable in existence. It is founded on a holistic and spiritual understanding of nature and the human being and builds on the pioneering research work of Rudolf Steiner. Biodynamic is different from organic by:
* Every biodynamic farm aims to become self-sufficient in compost, manures and animal feeds.
* All external inputs are kept to a minimum.
* Compost is treated with special herb-based preparations.
* Crop quality is improved using natural manure and quartz based preparations.
* Ecological diversity is a goal of landscape management.
* An astronomical calendar is used to determine auspicious, planting, cultivating and harvesting times.
Research shows that biodynamic produce:
* keeps fresh for longer
* flavor is better
* dry matter content is higher
* nitrate content is lower
* has greater vitality
There is also considerable anecdotal evidence to show that eating biodynamic food increases vitality, reduces allergic reactions and brings about an all round health improvement.