I’ve been asked a couple of times lately whether organically labelled food is really organic. So I thought I’d write a little about why choosing organic is such a clever move for your health, and how to make sure that what you’re buying is really organic.
We have a choice now – organic food is more widely available than ever before; even in the major supermarkets. But why make the decision to switch to organic when you have the choice? Here’s why:
Organic food tastes better. This is particularly noticeable with apples and tomatoes, but with most other foods too.
Organic food is grown using full spectrum nutrient fertilisers. This means that the plant can take up more nutrients, and that the soil remains viable. Organic food is purported to have a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals as a result, although this is a subject of heated debate in the scientific community!
Because organic farmers use only natural substances to fertilise their crops, care for their animals, deter pests and combat disease, the farmers are not exposed to any harmful chemicals, and the environment is not polluted.
We are all exposed to non-natural chemicals every day. Our bodies have some ability to excrete them, but if we’re overloaded, our bodies will try to store the toxins where they won’t cause any harm. Often this is in fat tissue. Some industrial chemicals are hormone disrupters, potentially causing hormone imbalance disorders. Choosing organic reduces your exposure to these chemicals.
Some organic farmers use biodynamics, energetic remedies to further boost the life force of their crop. For a real taste treat, try biodynamic almonds or walnuts.
To maintain the health of their animals, organic farmers use natural remedies – herbs, nutrients and homoeopathy. This makes them completely free of chemicals and artificial hormones. I particularly enjoy cooking my breakfast egg, knowing that the hen that produced it has had a happy life.
Genetic engineering is a relatively new practice in agriculture that may detrimental effects in the future. Organic food is not genetically engineered.
Organic growers must undergo a lengthy and exhaustive process to obtain the ‘certified’ logo which guarantees you are buying a truly organic product. When you buy a certified organic product you will see a retailer or producer number. Growers are regularly audited to ensure their compliance, and any organic product can be traced back to its source through the food chain. By looking for the certification logo and producer number you can be sure that the food you are buying is truly organic.
Because organic food is so widely available now, the gap between the price of organic and non-organic food has narrowed considerably; particularly in the areas of dairy, flour and bread. Next time you shop for food, enjoy the extra benefits you can get from choosing organic!
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