3 Important Reasons Why Eating Organic is Better

by STEFANIE DAVIS March 1, 2022

Are you interested in the benefits of eating organic? In this article you are going to learn why eating organically is BETTER - better for YOU and the environment!

What is Organic?

The term ORGANIC can be confusing! What does it mean, and what are the benefits to eating Organic?

To be considered Organic, a food must be grown in soil without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. In fact, before a crop can be started, the field must be free of fertilizers and pesticides for at least three years. If it is a multi-ingredient product then it must also be free of artificial preservatives, colors and flavors. If the item is an Organic meat product it must be raised in living quarters that are accommodating to it’s natural behaviors, fed 100% organic feed and have no antibiotics or hormones.

If an item is labeled MADE with ORGANIC then it must contain at least 70% Organic ingredients. Phew! Got all that? A lot of information to take in, but there are quite a few benefits to eating organic food.

3 Important Reasons Why Eating Organic is Better

Organic is Free of Pesticides: Pesticides are substances used to stop insects from destroying plants or animals.

Examples of pesticides include:

Insecticides. These can decrease the destruction and contamination of crops by insects and their eggs.

Herbicides. These are also known as weed killers. Herbicides can help to improve crop yields.

Rodenticides. These help to decrease the destruction of crops by rodents and rodent-borne diseases.

Fungicides. This type of pesticide is especially important for protecting crops (and seeds) from fungal rot.

Examples of these products include: Glyphosate, Acephate and Deet.

Now that you have a good idea of what pesticides are, and what they are used for, why would it matter if your food was labeled Organic and is now Pesticide Free? Well, there have been numerous studies that have linked pesticide residue on our food to increased risks of Parkinson's 1, Alzheimers2 and certain types of cancers3.

Organic is Free of GMOs : Organic food must also be free of GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms. Another way of defining this is to say that an item has not been genetically engineered, or it’s DNA hasn’t been changed. Some studies have linked GMO products to toxic effects such as; hepatic, pancreatic, renal, or reproductive changes in our bodies. Some studies have also linked GMOs from animals using certain growth factors to an increased risk of cancer. More research is needed in this evolving field of science.

Organic is Better for the Environment : The less synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used on crops, the less is released in our air creating a less toxic environment for us, our animals and planet.

Is Organic Really MORE Expensive?

Organic CAN be more expensive and understandably you could be deterred by the sticker shock of the price, however by using a few of these tips you CAN SAVE when shopping organic.

How to save Money when Buying Organic:

Buy in Season: Most produce, when bought “in season” can be drastically lower in price by taking advantage of when an item is most abundant in supply. Current winter produce that would be considered “in season” would include: beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, celery, onion, shallots, radishes and leeks.
Shop Sales: Shop the sales flyers and stock up on items that are on sale. Many items can be bought in bulk and frozen to use at a later date. At Highlands we offer a wide variety of seasonal Organic fruits and vegetables.
Choose Organic on High Pesticide Level Produce: Not all produce is created equal when it comes to the level of pesticide found on the item. In general, these foods contain high levels of pesticides: apples, grapes, nectarines, peaches, strawberries, kale, cucumber, celery, cherry tomatoes, spinach and summer squash. Alternatively, these foods contain much lower levels of pesticides: mushroom, avocado, cabbage, asparagus, eggplant, corn, onions, kiwi, mango and pineapple. When deciding whether or not to buy organic this list can be helpful in making the best choice.

Now that you have a good idea of the benefits of buying ORGANIC we hope that the next time you are visiting your local Highlands Organic Market you will take advantage of the fresh produce and local products that we carry that are considered organic or made with organic ingredients.

Want to learn more about healthy living?

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