How to Incorporate Organic Foods into Your Diet

The modern food industry is being redefined by the increasing prevalence for organic food. Given the insatiable push from consumers for healthier and environmentally friendly food options, understanding organic food from the ground up has never been more crucial. This guide will cover the scope of organic food from A to Z, examining its composition, nutritional value, environmental value and more.

What is Organic Food?

Organic food is the way agricultural products are grown and processed. It encompasses the use of natural substances and farming methods while excluding the usage of synthetic chemicals, hormones, anti-infection and genetically modified organisms.  Moreover, Organic food cuts across almosteverything we eat, including fruits and veggies, grains, meat and dairy products, eggs and even a few processed foods like cookies and sodas.

Organic Farming Practices

Organic farming practices are sustainable and responsible for the environment, human and animal health, and resource management. Some of the practices include crop rotation for improving soil quality, physical weed control, animal and green fertilization to name a few.

Organic Animal Rearing

Organic animal rearing involves humane treatment of animals, absence of growth-regulating drugs, steroids, hormones and anti-infection. Furthermore, the farming practice accords the animal’s full-time access to the outdoors and fed with organic feed.

Nutrient Content in Organic Food

Nutrient Content in organic produce is perceived to have more nutrients compared to segregates that are conventionally grown. The research findings on the content on any crop from organic compared to what is conventionally grown are inconclusive.

Antioxidants:

Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells from damage. Organic crops offer more antioxidants compared to non-organic crops. Some study recommends that the antioxidants in independently grown out sorts are 69% more than those grown conventionally.

Vitamins and minerals

Organic food may also contain increased levels of some micronutrients including Vitamin C, Zinc, and Iron. Organic food, particularly meat and dairy products, may have higher omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that is thought to be healthier for the heart than other fats.

Lower nitrate levels

Another possible advantage of organic food is low levels of nitrates . High nitrate levels in crop ones could be linked to a risk of specific types of cancer. Organically grown crops have been shown to contain 30% less nitrates than conventionally grown crops.

The Health Advantages of Organic Food

Although the nutrient quality of organic food may be only slightly higher, the health advantages of organic food do not only involve nutrients.

Reduced exposure to chemicals

The health advantages of consuming food with less exposure to artificial chemicals, added-nutrients, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are one of the main positive reasons for consuming organic food. . Studies suggest that consuming organics foods or ingredients rather than conventional foods will lower your risk of being severely affected by pesticide residues and other chemicals.

Potential prevention of diseases

Higher omega-3 fatty acids, which richer in organic food, contribute to a reduced risk of heart diseases.  Moreover, lower levels of toxic metals and pesticides in organic food could reduce your risk of being severely ill with some varieties of cancer.

The Influence Of Organic Food On The Environment

Connection Of Organic Food

Organic farming techniques are more sustainable and harm the environment less than conventional agriculture.

Soil And Conservation Of Water

Farmers utilize organic farming practices to enhance soil and water conservation. Smaller subsistence farmers are majorly involved in destroying soil moisture and fertile inorganic matters, especially where the land is humid. Organic farmers usually use natural chemicals like compost and manure. This supports soil fertility and its structure’s ability when they are enriched in water.

Pollution Reduction

Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. These chemicals can often leach into the ground and contaminate water supplies, leading to a range of pollution problems.

Biodiversity

Organic farming practices promote biodiversity. Organic farms use natural pest control methods and crop rotations, and they create a healthier and more balanced natural habitat for wildlife.

Lower Carbon Footprint

Organic farming can also play an essential role in lowering agriculture’s carbon footprint. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are innocuous and costly to manufacture, particularly in terms of energy, and have a substantial carbon footprint associated with them.

Organic Food Beyond Nutrition and Environment.

While the nutritional and environmental considerations are strong reasons to choose organic food, they are far from the only factors to consider.

Ethical

Organic farming is generally more ethical than traditional farming since it requires the more humane treatment of animals . For instance, animals that are farmed organically are not given antibiotics or hormone supplements and are usually treated better than those in traditional farming practices.

GMO-Free

Furthermore, organic food is GMO-free. GMOs are used in traditional farming to increase production and produce pest-resistant varieties.

Taste

Finally, others suppose that organic food tastes better than conventionally grown food. Although it is based, particularly on personal taste, some investigations have shown that organic products are more intense in taste.

Shopping for Organic Food

When buying organic food, look for the label “organic” on packages.

Organic Certifications

Various certifying organizations verify the organic food products. These organizations ensure that organic farmers and food producers have met the stringent government standards in their production. In the U.S., the United States Department of Agriculture provides the certification for organic products.

Reading labels

Knowing what to read on labels can also enable you to make informed decisions regarding the purchase of organic food. Products that are “100% organic” must contain only ingredients that are organically produced. Products labeled “organic” should have at least 95% of their content being produced organically. Those labeled “made with organic ingredients” need to be produced using at least 70% raw materials produced under organic conditions.

Cost consideration

Organic food is relatively expensive compared to the food produced through conventional methods. The more expensive nature of organic food products is due to the small scale and labor-intensive methods used in organic farming. Many people find it cost-effective to use organic food as it is believed to be beneficial to their health and the environment.

The Bottom Line

Organic food is essential for its high nutrient content, fewer residues of chemicals, and has a reduced environmental impact. However, not all fruits and vegetables that are produced organically will have the same nutrients. Some organic foods are highly processed and have few nutritional value but have added calories and nutrients from sugar, fatter, and salt.

Some of the factors that people take into consideration while choosing organic food include the price, health allusion, and environmental attraction.

It is advisable to consult a registered dietitian or any other health practitioner before changing your diet plans.

 

FAQs

What is meant by organic food?

Natural meals are those that do not use any inorganic fertilizers or chemicals such as GMO (genetically modified organisms) but instead conform to procedures that are eco-friendly and environmentally sound.

What are examples of organic foods?

Here is a list made up of just five species among countless others grown naturally; i.e., within such limits set forth by the principles espoused herein: - Apples - Spinach - Carrots - Milk - Eggs - Chicken

What food is 100% organic?

Purely organic food includes only certified farm produce and goods that consist solely of organic components

What are the 5 benefits of organic food?

Benefits of organic food: · Reduced exposure to pesticides and chemicals. · Higher nutrient content. · Support for sustainable farming practices. · Better for the environment. · Potential for improved taste and freshness.