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Not All Organic Products are Created Healthy

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I was at a bar in a restaurant waiting to be seated for dinner when I noticed one of the bottles of alcohol had the word "Organic" in big letters across the top.

I was shocked to see "organic" on a bottle of alcohol. It made me wonder if people would see the word "organic" and think they were drinking more healthy because they were asked for the organic alcohol.

Simply put, when something is organic it means it has not been grown using pesticides or other chemicals that are or create toxins in the body.

Food products are allowed to call themselves organic if they follow the standards set by the USDA.

Under the National Organic Program (NOP) there are standards for handling and processing of organically grown agricultural products. So organic foods are better for you in the sense that they do not contain harmful or toxic chemicals.

However when I talk to people about eating healthy it is more important to eat a whole food instead of an organic food.

Whole foods are foods that are found in their natural state that are not highly processed and don’t contain synthetic additives and preservatives. Examples of whole foods are fruit, vegetables, beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, lean meats, fish, dairy, and water.

This is my recommendation for all my patients and audiences.

Eat whole foods all the time. Make whole foods the staple in your diet. Eat organic when you can.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of organic foods. I eat them whenever I am able or can afford them. I recommend organic for very specific foods, such as fruits, vegetables and dairy.

You can check the most important foods to eat organic by going to the environmental working group www.EWG.org. Alcohol is not going to show up on their lists.

It is important to learn how to create a healthy lifestyles, and whole foods the best place to start. I would spend my money on whole foods first, then concentrate on the buying the right organic foods.

Live Vibrantly,

Dr. Dae

Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com/

Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com/

Dr. Dae's Bio:

Dr. Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who maintains a holistic practice treating patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. She helps her patients harvest health and feel great, using a combination of safe and effective naturopathic and conventional methods.

Sources:

"EWG Home | Environmental Working Group." EWG Home | Environmental Working Group. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2012.
http://www.ewg.org

Florida, James J. Ferguson. University of, Institute of Food, and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). "Organic Production and Organic Food: Information Access Tools." Home | National Agricultural Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2012.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml

"Healthy Whole Foods: Making Nutrient-Rich Choices for Your Diet." WebMD - Better information. Better health.. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2012.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-healthy-whole-foods

Reviewed August 14, 2012
by MIchele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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Anonymous

Hi, I think you've missed an important point that I'd like to clarify. Organic isn't only about short-term immediate health -- I buy organic because it's a more sustainable agricultural approach, without the social and environmental impacts of GMO-driven agriculture. I don't buy organic beer or wine because I think lots of those things will be good for me! That misses the point completely. I buy them because it pleases me to support sustainable agriculture, and reward responsible producers. You also left out the part about how buying organic -- along with avoiding or minimizing chemical pesticide ingestion -- is the only way for US consumers to avoid GMOs, unless and until we pass fair labeling laws like the rest of the civilized world (google 'California Prop 37', and support it if you can!)... I appreciate your writing, but feel like you shortchanged the subject. There are many reasons to buy organic, and health effects are only one of them. For more, google 'Moyers & Company Vandana Shiva,' or 'environmental impact GMO crops,' or 'environmental impact glyphosate' (glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide). Just thought I'd try to help clarify that question, since the article did not. Thanks!

August 18, 2012 - 5:25pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.