Managing a food allergy and adhering to a special diet feels challenging. Reading food labels and asking the “right” questions about what we’re eating is time-consuming and often frustrating.
When we decide to add the question Should I purchase organic? a simple grocery trip becomes overwhelming.
It doesn’t have to be. Let me answer a few simple questions to clear up the confusion about what to buy (and what not to buy) organic.
When we decide to add the question Should I purchase organic? a simple grocery trip becomes overwhelming.
It doesn’t have to be. Let me answer a few simple questions to clear up the confusion about what to buy (and what not to buy) organic.
What Does Organic Really Mean?
Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets the standards for regulating organic foods. Inspection and certification of these standards are carried out by various private and state agencies.
To be considered organic a product must be produced without the use of antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation, or bioengineering. There are also guidelines for farmers regarding soil and water conservation as well as rules about the humane treatment of livestock.
By the way, when it comes to organic, you might want to keep this in mind too. Producers with sales less than $5000 per year in organic foods are not required to have organic certification (think local farmers’ markets). This means you have to take these smaller producers claiming their products are organic at their word.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets the standards for regulating organic foods. Inspection and certification of these standards are carried out by various private and state agencies.
To be considered organic a product must be produced without the use of antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation, or bioengineering. There are also guidelines for farmers regarding soil and water conservation as well as rules about the humane treatment of livestock.
By the way, when it comes to organic, you might want to keep this in mind too. Producers with sales less than $5000 per year in organic foods are not required to have organic certification (think local farmers’ markets). This means you have to take these smaller producers claiming their products are organic at their word.
When You Don’t Need to Spend Your Money Buying Organic
There are times when organic may not be necessary. While it is true pesticides used in conventional farming can leave residue on produce and limiting exposure to these chemicals is desirable; the truth is, certain foods simply do not present a significant risk to pesticide residue exposure (more on this below).
When it comes to the overall nutrition of foods, the USDA admits there is no evidence organics are more nutritious than conventionally grown foods.
Further, with certain foods, buying organic comes down to not supporting certain agricultural practices (i.e. chemical spraying for weeds and pests and enhancing seeds for water retention) more than avoiding toxins in the foods we eat.
For example, eggs, milk, and certain fruits and vegetables aren’t necessarily better as organic.
Eggs
A 2008 study by the USDA evaluating cage-free, organic, and conventional eggs found no differences between the eggs from a nutritional perspective. Hens are not routinely administered antibiotics. The significant contaminants come from pollution. Here, conventional eggs have the edge. In US and European studies, free range chickens have been shown to have more PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) than conventionally housed birds.
Milk
The USDA requires the testing of all milk to be certain no antibiotics are present in the end product. Hormones are not added to milk. Those present are a result of naturally occurring hormones in the animal itself. If this is a concern, plant milk, not organic milk, is the answer.
Produce
Foods like avocados, bananas, citrus, and other thick-skinned fruits and vegetables with an outer peel that isn’t consumed are protected from pesticide residual.
In some cases, though, buying organic really does matter...
When it comes to the overall nutrition of foods, the USDA admits there is no evidence organics are more nutritious than conventionally grown foods.
Further, with certain foods, buying organic comes down to not supporting certain agricultural practices (i.e. chemical spraying for weeds and pests and enhancing seeds for water retention) more than avoiding toxins in the foods we eat.
For example, eggs, milk, and certain fruits and vegetables aren’t necessarily better as organic.
Eggs
A 2008 study by the USDA evaluating cage-free, organic, and conventional eggs found no differences between the eggs from a nutritional perspective. Hens are not routinely administered antibiotics. The significant contaminants come from pollution. Here, conventional eggs have the edge. In US and European studies, free range chickens have been shown to have more PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) than conventionally housed birds.
Milk
The USDA requires the testing of all milk to be certain no antibiotics are present in the end product. Hormones are not added to milk. Those present are a result of naturally occurring hormones in the animal itself. If this is a concern, plant milk, not organic milk, is the answer.
Produce
Foods like avocados, bananas, citrus, and other thick-skinned fruits and vegetables with an outer peel that isn’t consumed are protected from pesticide residual.
In some cases, though, buying organic really does matter...
When Investing in Organic at the Checkout Means
a Big Return on Your Health!
a Big Return on Your Health!
Fruits and vegetables with a thin outer peel, especially when the peel is typically consumed along with the fruit or vegetable, should always be purchased as organic when possible.
Here’s a short list of the top 8 produce items to purchase as organics:
Apples
Celery
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
Peaches
Spinach
Bell Peppers
Lettuce and other greens
Potatoes
Here’s a short list of the top 8 produce items to purchase as organics:
Apples
Celery
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
Peaches
Spinach
Bell Peppers
Lettuce and other greens
Potatoes
The Bottom Line
It’s always important to eat your fruits and veggies! When it comes to certain ones, you should buy organic if you can. This is especially important for pregnant women and children due to the rapid development of the child.
Ultimately, no matter where you stand on the issue of organic foods, remember, we should be grateful that, here in the US, we continue to enjoy the benefit of the safest food supply in the world.
Ultimately, no matter where you stand on the issue of organic foods, remember, we should be grateful that, here in the US, we continue to enjoy the benefit of the safest food supply in the world.
This Week’s Trivia Question... Answered!
The Question: What is the number one fruit that you should always buy organic?
The Answer: Any berry... especially blueberries and strawberries. We should always eat organic when it comes to these thin-skinned fruits where we eat the skin.
Also, keep this in mind... We should always buy organic when purchasing imported fruits (and veggies!). Although certain USDA regulations are in place, we can’t be certain what pesticides are used in other countries. Buying organic can provide a little more assurance that what ends up on the table is free from harmful toxins.
The Answer: Any berry... especially blueberries and strawberries. We should always eat organic when it comes to these thin-skinned fruits where we eat the skin.
Also, keep this in mind... We should always buy organic when purchasing imported fruits (and veggies!). Although certain USDA regulations are in place, we can’t be certain what pesticides are used in other countries. Buying organic can provide a little more assurance that what ends up on the table is free from harmful toxins.
~g~
I hope this “A Side of Science” provided useful information for you! The more we know about the foods we are putting into our bodies, the easier it is to manage our own food allergy and maintain our special diet for optimal health.
If you haven’t begun your gluten free special diet yet, try some of these gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free recipes on the site to see how tasty a special diet for your food allergy can be!
If you haven’t begun your gluten free special diet yet, try some of these gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free recipes on the site to see how tasty a special diet for your food allergy can be!
Let’s Stay Connected!
If you have questions, comments, or even a recipe you’d like me to help you adapt to fit your special diet, drop me a note: mailbox (at) glutenfreegigi (dot) com. I’d love to hear from you!
Remember, my mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to share my experience and knowledge to help you navigate your life comfortably and confidently regardless of which special diet or food allergy you might have.
I’d love to have you follow along on Twitter and “Like” my Facebook page so you don't miss any of the exciting new recipes and information I have for you!
Remember, my mission here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is to share my experience and knowledge to help you navigate your life comfortably and confidently regardless of which special diet or food allergy you might have.
I’d love to have you follow along on Twitter and “Like” my Facebook page so you don't miss any of the exciting new recipes and information I have for you!
Up Next on GlutenFreeGigi.com...
The Gluten Free Gigi Fall Tour 2011 continues with a visit to Texas! I’ll end up in Dallas at the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo but not before my bigger than Texas surprise!
Tuesday, I have three new helpful How-To videos featuring simple, affordable dishes you’ll want to add to your breakfast and brunch recipe file!
Thank you for visiting! No matter what your food allergy or health goals are, know what I’m doing here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is for YOU because I understand what being on a special diet means!
Have a look around, get comfortable, and come back often to check out new information and recipes each Tuesday and Thursday. Leave a comment below or get your special diet and food allergy questions answered by sending me an email at mailbox (at) glutefreegigi (dot) com. I’ll always get back to you!
I’m glad we’re sharing the journey!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
Tuesday, I have three new helpful How-To videos featuring simple, affordable dishes you’ll want to add to your breakfast and brunch recipe file!
Thank you for visiting! No matter what your food allergy or health goals are, know what I’m doing here at GlutenFreeGigi.com is for YOU because I understand what being on a special diet means!
Have a look around, get comfortable, and come back often to check out new information and recipes each Tuesday and Thursday. Leave a comment below or get your special diet and food allergy questions answered by sending me an email at mailbox (at) glutefreegigi (dot) com. I’ll always get back to you!
I’m glad we’re sharing the journey!
xo,
Gluten Free Gigi
Don’t take my word for it... Check my sources!
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