What’s The Fuss About Organic?
We often see organically grown and organically sourced labels on our food, as hashtags in social media, and ‘organic if possible’ when browsing recipes.
Organic food has been popping up more frequently over the past few years, but what is it really, and is there such a big difference? We did some research to find out more about the ‘organic’ label and exactly what it means.
What are organic foods?
For food to be labeled organic, it has to contain at least 95% organically produced plants or livestock. Organic foods are farmed by carefully studying nature resulting in the use of less or even no chemicals in the fertilizer or antibiotics for livestock.
Furthermore, all artificial colorants and sweeteners are banned from organic food. This means fruit and vegetables like tomatoes, pumpkin, carrots, and beet aren’t always the bright and flawless colors we’ve come to expect. Organic heirloom beet contains beautiful patterns on the inside, and tomatoes come in a variety of interesting colors. Did you know that just over 100 years ago, the common color of a carrot was purple?
Organic farming means fewer pesticides or chemicals used to kill insects and other pests that might damage the produce or impact the yield. It’s been proven that these pesticides kill more than just pests and can have a lasting effect on the soil and water quality that ends up in rivers after irrigation. Many organic farmers now rely on animals to ward off insects and other bugs. Ducks are used to pick off snails, birds are encouraged to eat caterpillars, and the humble ladybug feasts on aphids.
A visit to your local farmers’ market offers a range of local produce that is more likely to be organically grown with less impact on the environment and its biodiversity. Local producers often offer weekly or monthly boxes containing delicious seasonal fruit and veggies inspiring us to become creative in the kitchen. Imagine a beautiful beet salad with pine nuts and goat’s cheese in summer or a hearty butternut squash soup with homemade sourdough bread and farm-style butter during the winter months.
Animal welfare has taken the world by storm as more people become aware of the side-effects traditional farming has on animals. Organic criteria demand that animals be reared in conditions that suit their natural environment and behavior. On organic farms cows are left to roam freely with fresh air and water, chickens can forage amongst the grass and under trees looking for bugs and grubs. When animals are left in their natural environments, enjoy the correct diets, and have plenty of space to roam there is no need for preventative antibiotics.
Keep an eye out for the ‘organic’ label the next time you find yourself in the supermarket. Although many producers use the term ‘natural’, for food to be labeled ‘organic’ it must undergo legal regulation. Then you know you’re buying a product you can trust.
Why is organic important?
Organic food has a major impact on the environment as well as our mental and emotional wellbeing. Antioxidants and nutrients are abundant in organic food resulting in a happy mind and a healthy body.
Many studies have shown that there is a nutrient increase in some organic produce. One nutrient that showed the biggest boost was flavonoids, which include antioxidant qualities. Omega-3 fatty acids are also higher in organic livestock farming. Organic meat, dairy, and eggs show an increase in these essential fatty acids due to the feed used in organic farming. Livestock isn’t dependent on antibiotics, isn’t fed growth-enhancing hormones but enjoys a diet of grass and alfalfa.
Organic produce is also free of toxic chemicals and pesticide residue found in soil and absorbed by plants. . Synthetic fertilizers and dangerous pesticides with high toxicity are often used in conventional farming to increase yields. These toxins end up either absorbed by the grains, fruit, and vegetables we consume or end up in rivers damaging the environment.
On the other hand, organic produce gets its nutrients from the healthy and rich soil resulting in less stress on the plants and more energy spent on producing delicious and nutritious fruits. Soil needs to rest between harvests, or another crop needs to be planted that won’t deplete the soil of the same nutrients year after year. This is a difficult practice to undergo when farming the conventional way since farmers are focused on increasing their yield every year.
Have you ever noticed how you feel after eating a bowl of everyday pasta? Conventional grain has been modified to produce bigger seeds and a more bountiful harvest which often leaves you feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Try using an organic pasta the next time you make your favorite recipe and notice the difference.
Give your body your all
Organic food can often be more expensive, making it unsustainable in the long run. Here are some tips for staying on track with your nutrient intake and ensure you give your body your all.
The next time you visit your local supermarket, keep an eye out for seasonal organic produce, this is often cheaper and will have a longer shelf life, too. Try to buy organic eggs, dairy, and meat especially if you have developing little ones in the house or follow a strict training routine.
When in doubt on what to buy, think about a rainbow and add the most colorful fruits and vegetables to your shopping cart. Your cart should contain many bright and delicious produce like tomatoes, leafy greens, squash, berries, and root vegetables to name a few. The same goes for your meals. Pack your plates with many colors to ensure you get all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals your body needs. Your skin will thank you, you’ll recover quicker from exercise and your hair and nails will be stronger than ever.
Stay educated
Even though we try our best to stick to organic produce, not all produce is created equal when it comes to our personal diets. Some of us might want to stay clear of food that spikes cholesterol or fruits with high fructose content. This can make it really tough when sourcing the right food for recipes and even researching which recipes will be better for your diet and overall health. Sugars and sodium often sneak into sauces or are disguised as carbohydrates.
Luckily for us, there are great apps in the market that help us track our nutrient intake, break down recipes, and help store some of our favorite recipes that we can rely on any day of the week.
We’re loving the RecipeIQ app which allows us to stay on track with our daily and weekly nutrient intake. We’re also able to track sodium and sugar intake, see which foods have higher calcium for the little ones, and separate the good from the bad fat in meat and poultry.
It’s a great app for any lifestyle and diet and it makes shopping for your dietary needs a breeze. Find out more about RecipeIQ here.
