What Are the Benefits of Eating Organic? Is it Worth the Splurge?

Making the decision to switch to organic food can seem like a big change, but with more and more people recognizing the importance of taking care of their health, it’s a decision that’s becoming increasingly popular these days.

The first thing to remember when you switch to organic is that ‘100% natural’ doesn’t mean organic.  A good rule of thumb is; if it doesn’t say organic, it’s not!  Reading every single ingredient is key when switching to organic food and make sure there aren’t any artificial fillers, sweeteners or preservatives.  

There are other things you should pay attention such as: cage-free chickens and beef (the animals aren’t kept in cages their whole life) and farmed fish. Try and always avoid purchasing farmed fish.  The fish are raised in cramped underwater pens and are usually fed GMO foods and unnatural foods such as corn meal and soy.  When purchasing meat, make sure it says organic 100% grass fed.  This means the beef hasn’t been fed anything but grass and is therefore free of hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals.  

Produce is very important to purchase organic due to all the herbicides and pesticides that get absorbed while it is growing – chemicals that then end up in your body when you eat the produce. Organic farming is also sustainable, which means you are also helping the planet and most likely funding your local farms.  The workers and the animals on organic farms are not exposed to dangerous toxins or hazardous working conditions caused by the overuse of toxic chemical sprays.  The animals there are not subject to terrible living conditions, instead their needs are made a priority.  Organic foods are free from herbicides, pesticides, hormones and any genetically modified organisms, and therefore contain much higher levels of vitamins and minerals than non-organic foods.  

To achieve this balance, organic farms grow a wide variety of crops and promote a balanced eco-system, including encouraging insects that protect crops from pests rather than dousing crops with chemical spray.  The chemicals used to protect conventionally grown produce have been proven to cause health problems when consumed for a prolonged period of time, so this is a wise move for your health as well as the health of the farmers.

Eating organic is not just about consuming organic produce.  It’s a lifestyle choice.  Most items we buy at the grocery store or beauty supply store today have their organic alternatives if you know where to look.  Take a look at your makeup, skin care, pet food, body care (shampoo, body wash/soap), etc.  You may find you can easy locate a sustainably created alternative just a few isles down at the drugstore.

One of the main reasons why more people don’t switch over to organic food is simply the higher cost.  If you are dedicated, however, there are many ways you can offset the price of organic foods.  You can find plenty of coupons online; look for local, seasonal organic produce; buy at your local farmer’s market and cook everyday instead of eating out.  You can compromise financially on other things in order to switch to organic foods,  not to mention having peace of mind that you are being proactive in taking care of your health. After all, your health is priceless.

If you are really committed to making the switch to organic food, You should ask questions when you go out to eat and find out where the food came from. In the supermarket, you should always read labels and pay close attention to what you are putting on or in your body.  Switching over to an organic diet usually involves giving up junk food like fast food, sodas and refined sugars.  You might have cravings at the beginning, but after time you will see a big improvement in your health, your weight, and even in your mood. After all, we all lived on ‘organic’ food for millions of years, before civilization invented such things as the Happy Meal, the Drive Thru, and Cheese-In-A-Can!

Besides the health benefits to you, there are environmental benefits and benefits to the animals and people who live and work on the farms, so choosing to switch to organic produce is one of the best things you can do for your local community.  So educate yourself as much as possible, and then make the choice you believe that’s best for you and your family.