5 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT ORGANIC FOOD

The growing popularity of organic foods has resulted in several households switching to organic produce and meats for their families, in a bid to live healthier and more conscientious lives. Not only are organic foods free of synthetic plant additives, they also educate the consumer about the cleaner cultivation and food rearing practices.

While it is a wise choice to switch to organic foods, it is also wise to know about any allergies or counter-actions that foods can have, so that you are sure about what you or your family consumes. Globally, there are several myths about organic foods, their nutritional value and their allergic nature, if any. Here are some of the most common myths about organic foods debunked.

 1: Organic foods may not be the safest:
Fact – By definition, “Organic” refers to produce and ingredients cultivated minus the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge or radiation. In case of animals and livestock that produce meat, eggs or dairy, they are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic produce, meats and products are grown or produced in environmentally friendly ways – soil and plants are not treated with toxic chemicals or persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge are not used to promote growth, GMOs are not allowed, animals are provided outdoor access and are fed organic feeds, synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics are not used in animal rearing. These strict cultivation and rearing practices make organic food safer than conventional foods, and chemical-free, thereby ensuring safety for you and your family.

2: Organic foods do not cause allergies:
Fact – While they are safer for consumption due to their cultivation and processing practices, organic foods contain allergens just like conventional foods. However, these allergies are limited to being caused due to food-related or inherent allergens present, and not due to the chemicals and synthetic additives, since organic foods are devoid of the latter. Therefore, if you are allergic to say, peanuts, both organic and inorganic peanuts can still cause an allergic reaction upon consumption.

 3: Organic food isn’t healthier than conventional foods:

Fact – Simply put, the fact that organic food is produced without the use of synthetic additives and hormones makes them a much healthier and safer alternative than conventionally grown and produced foods. Ask yourself this – would you rather consume a fruit A that has been sprayed with chemical-laced pesticides and insecticides, made to reach ripening prematurely by feeding the tree synthetic fertilizers, and given an unnatural sheen by polishing it with a waxy substance? Or would you rather consume a fruit B that you know has been grown without any of the above additives? Which sounds healthier, fruit A or fruit B?

4: Organic food is a wallet-drainer:
Fact – Due to its stringent cultivation norms, labour and time intensive production, post-harvest procedures and certification fee, organic food can be expensive; yet, there are organic foods that are affordable and sometimes may even cost less than conventional foods. Besides, there are hidden costs of conventional food such as health costs related to issues caused by pesticide consumption and of course, environmental costs due to the rampant use of synthetic additives to the soil.

5: Natural and free-range foods are the same as organic, and just as good:
Natural foods and free-range foods are not the same as organic foods; neither can they boast of the advantages of organic foods. Natural foods or ingredients refer to those foods that have undergone minimal processing, with no guarantee to its cultivation procedures and synthetic additives. Free-range refers primarily to animal husbandry where the animals are allowed to roam freely outdoors, as opposed to being enclosed within constricted spaces for twenty-four hours each day.

Organic foods are a safer and healthier alternative to conventionally produced foods, for you and your entire family, including the little ones. Given the numerous myths, false facts and information overload regarding organic foods, it is best to get the facts straight so that you can make an informed and wise choice for the health and safety of your family.

 

10 Oragnic Foods that can reduce your stress

Our hectic lifestyles and busy schedules have left us with little room to unwind and relax, while creating ample room for stress, particularly distress. Stress can have several implications on your health, taking a toll on your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Common symptoms of stress include faster heartbeat, headaches, stiff neck or tight shoulders, sweating or sweaty palms, nausea, irregular sleep patterns, mood swings and so on. Another well-known symptom of stress is overeating, particularly high carb and high sugar ‘comfort foods’. These foods, in large quantities tend to create a metabolic imbalance, leading to weight gain, high risk of obesity, cardiovascular problems, high blood sugar levels, and ultimately, more stress.

Calming Organic foods, on the other hand help soothe and calm you, and are a healthy source of energy. Here is a list of 10 calming Organic foods that help reduce stress and keep you feeling focused and balanced.

1. Avocados:
Avocados are a treasure-trove of stress-relieving B Vitamins; they also contain monounsaturated fat and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Vitamin B boosts nerve and brain cell health; studies show that anxiety can be caused by B Vitamin deficiency. Glutathione, a substance that specifically blocks intestinal absorption of certain fats which can cause oxidative damage, is present in abundance in avocados, along with Beta-Carotene, Lutein, Vitamin E, Vitamin B and Folate.

2. Asparagus:
Low levels of folic acid have been attributed to depression; asparagus is super-rich in folic acid, so much so that a single cup can provide two-third of your daily folic acid requirement. You can incorporate asparagus into almost any meal – add some to your breakfast omelette or steam it with some poultry or fish. You can also enjoy some steamed spears of asparagus with a dip of your choice.

3. Milk:
Rich in antioxidants, Vitamins B2 and B12, calcium and protein, a glass of warm milk is an age-old remedy for insomnia. Milk is also high in the protein Lactium, which is known to have a calming or soothing effect due to its ability to lower blood pressure. The potassium in milk is known to help relieve muscle spasms that are triggered by physical tensing.

4. Almonds:
Enjoy a daily helping of a handful of almonds to keep stress at bay! Almonds are rich in Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E, both of which are known to boost the immune system when the body is stressed out.

5. Oatmeal:
This high-fibre complex carbohydrate food helps boost serotonin production in the body, a hormone that essentially creates a calming effect in the body. Enjoy a bowl of warm oatmeal in the morning for breakfast, especially on days when you are feeling stressed. Moreover, oats help in maintaining cardiovascular health as they absorb bad cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) from the body.

6. Spinach:
Green-leafy vegetables are a dietary must-have; what is great about spinach is that it is loaded with magnesium, a mineral that works to regulate cortisol levels in the body. A single cup of spinach provides you with 40% of your daily requirement of magnesium. You can have it in the form of a fresh salad or steam it with some pulses and enjoy with Rotis or steamed rice.

7. Salmon:
This fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help control cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body and prevent them from spiking when you are feeling tense or agitated. Additionally the omega-3 fatty acids are excellent for heart health and salmon is one of the richest sources of this heart-healthy fatty acid.

8. Green Tea:
Replace caffeinated beverages with green tea, which contains L-Theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation. Consume a few cups of warm green tea daily for that much needed calming and soothing feeling that a stressed you craves for!

9. Oranges:
This citrus fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C, which helps control the levels of cortisol in the body, strengthening the immune system and helping maintain the blood pressure. Incorporate oranges into your regime, replacing high carb snacks, to reduce your stress levels daily.

10. Bananas:
Bananas contain ample amounts of dopamine, a chemical that is known to uplift your mood levels. Moreover, they are rich sources of B Vitamins, including Vitamin B6, that work to soothe the nervous system. They are also loaded with magnesium, a mineral linked with mood positivity.

These 10 Organic foods, when consumed regularly, can help reduce your stress levels. Incorporate these superfoods into your diet and focus on a regime that includes meditation, physical exercise and a regular sleep cycle.

Organic Food for Kids and its Advantages

Eating healthy and eating right are key pillars of a healthy life; it is essential that we make the right nutritional choices for ourselves and our families. That is why organic foods have been gaining tremendous popularity, primarily because of their clean farming and rearing practices, making them safer for consumption than conventionally produced foods.

They command a premium in the market. However, the advantages they bring to the table more than make up for the price premium. In light of the nutritional requirements of children,  organic foods are better and safer for their overall health and development.

1. Organic is a safer bet:
“Organic” refers to produce and ingredients cultivated minus the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge or radiation. In case of animals and livestock that produce meat, eggs or dairy, they are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. In short, organic foods are a great choice for kids, considering their increased susceptibility to the negative effects of chemical and synthetic additives. Switching to organic foods reduces the level of food-driven pesticide ingestion by kids. Moreover, organic food consumption significantly reduces ingestion of chemicals that have been linked to cause certain types of cancer.

2. Reduces your kids’ exposure to harmful hormones:
Prolonged exposure to chemicals and hormones in food, be it in low or high concentrations, can result in damaging effects in children. Typically, non-organic meats are injected with hormones and endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as oestrogen to aid quicker development of the animal. These artificially induced hormones and chemicals can result in early onset of puberty in children, thus hampering their natural development. Organic foods are devoid of any artificial or synthetic additives, thus reducing such risks by a significant margin.

3. Prevents chemical induced neurological disorders:
It has been observed that a switch from conventional foods to an organic diet reduces kids’ exposure levels to organophosphates. These are a group of pesticides that include toxic chemicals such as chlorpyrifos and malathion. These chemicals are known to negatively impact nervous system and hamper nervous system development in children. Switching to a diet consisting of organic food results in a drastic drop in organophosphate levels, thus fostering normal development of the brain and nervous system.

4. A conscious choice to make kids more conscious!:
Besides the obvious health advantages that organic foods have on your kids’ health, it is important that children know where their food is coming from. Informing them about the right foods and why organic is right for them creates a consciousness in them towards a healthier meal choice. Moreover, organic farming and rearing practices are ecological and environment friendly. Inculcating eco-friendly practices in children at an early age fosters their appreciation for and acceptance of clean and green practices, thus ensuring that they will opt for organic foods when it comes to them making a choice over what foods they would like to eat.

Organic foods are the right choice for your whole family, if you seek wholesome, safe and chemical free options at your meal table. While they do cost more than conventionally grown foods, they more than compensate it through safety and nutrition. This factor is particularly vital for children, as they are more susceptible to the negative effects and potential dangers that chemical and synthetic additives and hormones present. Going organic is safe, healthy and kid-friendly!