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Have you seen the documentary "Food Inc."? If not, you NEED to put it at the top of your Must See list!! Before I watched it I was aware of the benefits of eating organic food, however I never really placed a huge importance on it. NOW, however, we try to eat organic as much as we possibly can. Our efforts were made easier when we discovered that we have an all organic food store here in our city. I'll post information on that later!!!
So, what are the benefits of eating organic? Well I hit my books and researched online too and what I found was compelling. Not only are there a number of mental and emoitional benefits to eating organic, there are also a lot of physical benefits as well.
The mental and emotional benefits of eating organic are simply that you are at one with nature. You are out there, planting a garden, tending it, watching it grow, and getting the satisfaction that you and you alone grew your veggies and fruit. Gardneing is good for the soul. BUT what if you don't have a green thumb? I certainly don't. You can get a similar sense of gratification from knowing that you are supporting your local economy and your local farmers when you buy produce that is grown locally, in your town. Here in Fredericton you can go the Farm Market and buy local produce, and it's amazing at how different fresh, organic, food tastes.
The physical benefits to eating organic are just far to good to NOT eat organic. Organic food has more nutrients than commercial food, and it also has less toxins. A recent article in the Journal of Applied Nutrition gave credence to the notion that organic foods have higher nutrient levels that non-organic food. In this study the mineral content of organic apples, pear, potatoes, wheat, and sweet corn were compared to commercial varieties. Overall the organic foods showed much higher levels of nutrient minerals and much lower levels of heavy metals.
It was also found that organic foods were higher in other essential nutrients such as:
Magnesium, which reduces mortality from heart attacks, keeps muscles from spasming, and eases the symptoms of PMS, averaged 138% more.
Chromium is a micronutrient that is low in Western diets. Its deficiency is associated with the onset of adult diabetes and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Chromium was found to be higher in organic foods by an average of 78%.
Selenium is one of the antioxidant nutrients that protects us from damage by environmental chemicals. It is protective against cancers and heart disease. It was found to be an average of 390% higher in organic foods.
Calcium, needed for strong bones, averaged 63% higher in organics.
Boron, which has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis (along with calcium), averaged 70% more.
Lithium, which is used to treat certain types of depression, was 188% higher.
Commercial food is lacking in these minerals and vitamins because they have to be preserved for shipping. Most of the fruit you eat is picked before it's ripe so that it won't spoil on the trip to your local grocery store. We are eating and paying for food that is depriving us of all of the essential nutrients we need daily, not to mention it's making us sick.
NOW I know that you are going to tell me that eating organic food costs more. And yes it does, a BIT more. BUT think about how good you are going to feel. This will translate into daily life. You will need less time off of work for illness, you will have tons more energy becasue you are getting what your body needs. You will need less medication (in many cases), becasue you will be getting your essentials from your food. The little difference you will pay for your food will be far less that what you would lose due to sick leave or medication.
With that said...that does not mean you can eat organic chips and dip and be healthy. It's still about balance and eating according to the Food Guide. Making sure to adhear to your servings of your fruit and veg, grains, milk and alternatives, and your meat and meat alternatives. Organic isn't the catalyst to weight loss, sensible eating and exercise is the key for that, HOWEVER, eating organic will make you healthier inside, and out.
There is a lot to be said for eating organic, you can go online and research it, there are a number of books to support an organic lifestyle. BUT in many cases you have to experience it for yourself. I can tell you that organic eggs, chicken, and beef taste FAR better. The eggs are bright yellow and are full of goodness. We had organic, GRASS fed, beef for dinner and the taste was incredible. No extra stuff needed to make my beef taste like beef.
I was told a few days ago about a store called True Food Organics (here in Fredericton) and Rick and I went in yesterday. WELL!!!! I was in heaven. They sell organic grain fed, free range chicken (in many cuts), as well as grass fed beef (in different cuts), and it's from Slipp Farms in central Hampstead (our local area). They have local produce and they get "imported" fruit each week in small amounts. They carry an awesome variety of organic food, it was incredible. They even have Nettle Tea, if you have never tried it, you need to go in to get that too!!! Check it out, the benefits are just unreal. That will come in another note.
Anyway!!! When you come across a good thing you NEED to share!!! So here it is:
True Food Organics
207 Charlotte Street
506-459-4333
Store Hours:
Thursday 9am to 7pm
Friday 9am to 6pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Head in!!! It's a small little store, the staff are friendly and knowledgable. One gal even lives off the grid!!! Not only will you leave with a bag (bring your own folks) full of organic goodness, you will leave knowing you have supported our local economy too. It's a win, win!!!
Hope to see some of you shopping in my new FAV. store soon!!!!!
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