What Are The Disadvantages to Eating Organic Foods?

Are you interested in making the switch to organic foods?  You likely already know the many benefits to eating organic foods, as these benefits are often prominently displayed and advertised.  With that being said, we rarely hear about the disadvantages to eating organic foods. 

Organic tomatoes at a farmer's market. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the few disadvantages to eating organic foods is the cost.  Do you know how much most organic foods costs?  If not, you may want to examine those costs before you make the decision to switch to organic foods.  After a closer look, you will see that organic foods often do cost a little bit more money, but if eating organic foods improves your health, it actually may pay for itself over time with fewer visits to the doctor.

Although the cost of organic food may turn you and other hopeful eaters away, it is also important to know that there are many ways in which you can go about saving money.  For example, you can search for organic food sales at your local natural food stores or supermarkets.  Stock up when you see those sales or choose to shop at a store that is known for their everyday low prices on organic foods.  Organic food coupons can also be used. These coupons can be found online, with a standard internet search, in many stores, as well as in weekend newspapers.

In addition to costs, another disadvantage to eating organically is the limited selection of organic products available in some areas. Luckily, not everyone is faced with this organic food eating disadvantage.  Often  those who live in small cities and towns find it the hardest to buy organic foods.  With that being said, it doesn’t matter whether you live in a small town or a huge city, there are still a number of different ways that you can go about buying organic foods.

Sign at the Sonoma Farmer's Market, Sonoma, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In my opinion the absolute best way to buy organic foods is by going directly to the source - organic farmers.  You can usually find organic farmers in just about any size town, if you know where to look, and is the best possible way to get your organic fruits and vegetables, as well as, in some areas, even meats and dairy. Visit your local farmer's market and start getting connected.

You can also search for specialty organic food stores by using online business directories, your local phone book, or by asking those that you know for recommendations.  The internet can also be used to shop online for organic foods - just be aware of shipping costs.

Although there are a few disadvantages to eating organic foods, it is also important to remember the benefits or advantages to doing so as well.  For starters, organic foods are all natural and safe to eat.  You won't have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals, additives, and pesticides.  Organic foods also benefit the overall environment and the economy.

But there is one disadvantage we haven't discussed yet, and that is the tendency of organic foods not to keep as long, since they don't contain artificial preservatives, and typically aren't as highly processed. For some ways to keep your organic food fresh during storage, be sure to check back for Wednesday's post.

Is It Really Organic and What Does That Mean Anyway?

Before you go out and buy a bunch of organic foods blindly, let’s really sit down and talk about what organic means.

According to Wikipedia organic foods are “Foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.”

Labeling for products that meet the USDA-NOP standards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So organic food leaves out the things I talked about a couple of posts back. Organic foods are void of pesticides and fertilizers. They aren’t irradiated or processed chemically - all important stuff.

However, the word “organic” is not a legal term in the United States, so sometimes it seems quite meaningless. In the United States, the legal term for organic food is “Certified Organic.” Food can be certified by the USDA when it meets certain conditions set out by the National Organic Program (NOP)  (http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=ORGANIC_CERTIFICATION). (Other countries have their own labeling and certification specifications.)

Certified Organic produce must be grown using organic methods without chemical pesticides, genetically modified ingredients or petroleum or sewage-based fertilizers. It also can’t be processed with irradiation or contain prohibitive preservatives.

Certified Organic livestock must not be given antibiotics or growth hormones. They also need to have access to the outdoors.

When it comes to processed Certified Organic foods, 95% of the ingredients must be grown organically to contain the seal. But if a label says it is “made with organic ingredients,” it only needs to be made of 70-95% organic ingredients.

Food that bears this certification seal is generally thought to provide the consumer protection, but it’s not without its critics. Critics are concerned that the regulations deal with the way the food is grown, but offer no guarantee of the quality of the product. There are also reports that the certification standards are lacking and that includes a 2010 report from the Inspector General (http://www.cornucopia.org/USDA/OIG_AuditofNOP.pdf).

So what does this all mean for the consumer?

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Products, especially non-food items, can be labeled as organic, but don’t necessarily meet the appropriate guidelines. Non-food products are not subject to the Certified Organic standards.

2. The guidelines may not be enforced properly, causing some foods to be labeled as Certified Organic when they really shouldn’t be.

3. Food that is organic may not actually be certified because the grower chooses not to get certified or isn’t able to get certified because they produce less than $5000 in products each year. (However, many small farmers still use organic methods to grow their produce, even if they don't choose to get certified. The best way to know this is to get to know your local farmers, and ask them! Many even offer tours or farm visits so you can see how your food is grown. Visit a local farmers market and start making connections.)

What can you do?

Given all these potential problems with organic labeling, it’s natural to wonder if it’s all worth it. The key is to read labels and be aware of word play. Stating things like “made with organic ingredients” is a typical way of making something sound good, when it may not be quite what it seems.  Above all, know where your food is coming from, buy locally and do your homework. You can find some more helpful tips on this at http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html.

Video - Why Organic?

This video offers a comprehensive look at organic foods, what they are, how they're regulated, and why they are better for you. It's a bit detailed, but quite interesting and will give you some great information if you're "on the fence" about whether or not to choose organically grown foods.

Why Organic? with Jim Riddle
Many of us today are asking, "Why should I eat organic? Is there really such a difference?" As research into organic food and farming expands, trends are beginning to emerge validating the multiple benefits of organic - at every stage. Jim Riddle pre...

Eight Reasons Why Eating Organic is Important

Guest Post by Grace Simpson.

It seems like everyone is talking about organic foods like it’s some kind of buzz word or status symbol. I suppose for some, it might be. But for many of us, it’s a way of life that takes us back to a more natural way of living and farming. One that has been destroyed by the machine food production has become today.

Now, I don’t mean to sound like one of those doom and gloom, anti-establishment types. I don’t disparage anyone for choosing the foods that they do. Sometimes it’s an economic necessity. Other times it’s simply not having enough information about what’s really going on with our food. Sometimes it’s just apathy.

“Science may have found a cure for most evils; but we have found no remedy for the worst of them all, the apathy of human beings.”
~ Helen Keller

I’m not sure what I can do about the apathetic, but for people like you who may have budgeting obstacles or are trying to find more information about what’s going into your bodies, I am here to help.

So the first natural question is…Why go organic?

Organic eating has a number of benefits and here are just a few of them:

Organic certification (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Organic produce is free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Even if you wash your produce, you cannot remove all these harmful chemicals that can affect your nervous system, cause cancer and more.  Also consider that conventional farming which uses harmful chemicals can contribute to the contamination of our water supply, so by supporting organic growers, you are also supporting a cleaner water supply for all.

2. While some people may not be quite as concerned, eating organic can help you avoid foods that have been irradiated. Government bodies tout the irradiation process as helpful in reducing harmful bacteria, preventing spoilage and increasing shelf life of foods. However, irradiation reduces the nutritional value of your foods and there is growing concern by researchers that the process may not be as safe as previously thought.

3. Avoidance of genetically modified foods or GMOs (genetically modified organisms). While huge biotechnology companies like Monstanto will have you believing that they are increasing the viability of crop growing, there are long-term dangers in GMOs that have caused them to be banned by much of Europe and Japan.

4. Organic livestock is fed its natural diet, rather than potentially contaminated grains, antibiotics and hormones. This is in contrast to conventionally-raised livestock that get hormones to help them grow faster and antibiotics are given en masse as a preventative measure to illness. The scary thing is that this preventative measure may be necessary given the poor hygienic conditions of the animals. Organically grown animals are raised more humanely and more naturally, eliminating the need for these potentially dangerous situations for both livestock and humans.

5. Organic growing contributes to improved soil quality. A lot of people don’t realize it, but our soils are so depleted that we no longer get the nutrients we did from our foods a few decades ago. In order to obtain the certified organic label from the USDA, soil must be free of prohibited chemicals for three years and the increased soil quality is a necessary goal for organic farmers. (To learn more about a variety of soil studies, check out http://www.ota.com/organic/benefits/soil.html )

6. Organic farming is more wildlife friendly. From animals to plant species, a more natural ecology is supported through organic methods. There are many studies supporting this including a study from the University of Oxford that found that there is increased biodiversity on organically farmed land.

Eco symbol used to promote organic, locally grown food (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

7. Buying organic allows you to support your local economy and farmers. This is good for you because you get fresher (and therefore more nutritious and tasty) foods, and it also reduces the pollution that results from food transport. (Here's a short video on why to eat local.)

There are so many reasons to go organic and this post touches on just a few of them. But here’s the most immediate one that just about everyone can really appreciate.

8. Organic foods simply taste better. This is real food, free of all unnecessary human interventions and inventions. It’s nature’s perfection and once you try it, you probably won’t want to go back to your other options. 

Of course, this still leaves the issue of cost and how organic food can seem unaffordable to many families today. Well, that is exactly what we’ll be talking about in my next post....


Related Resources:
 

The Pros and Cons of Eating Organic Foods

Have you heard that organic foods are healthy to eat and good for the environment?  If you have, you may be interested in making the switch to organic foods.  With that being said, you may still be a little bit uncertain about doing so.  For many individuals, a change in eating habits is a big deal.  In fact, a change in eating habits can also be considered a lifestyle change.  To help ensure that you are making the right decision, you may first want to examine the pros and cons of eating organic foods.

Image via WikipediaPerhaps, the greatest pro or plus side to eating organically is the health benefits.  Organic foods differ from many of the conventionally grown foods that are available for sale today because they are not made with chemicals and other additives, some of which may be harmful to our bodies.  Organic food is one hundred percent, completely natural. You are also given guarantees, as most organic foods must be certified and pass rigorous tests.

Another pro or plus side to eating organically is that organic food is ideal for individuals of all ages.  This is great if you are looking to have your whole family eat organic, not just yourself.  It is also important know that organic foods aren’t just fruits and vegetables. There are snacks, drinks, and deserts that are all considered organic.  Most organic foods, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and snacks are designed for individuals of all ages.  With that being said, there are also many companies that specialize in selling organic foods for babies and toddlers, for example Earth's Best Organics.

Another pro or plus side to making the switch to organic foods is that you can do your part to help the environment, as well as organic farmers.  Unfortunately, small family farms seem to be a dying breed in the United States.  Many farmers, even those who have been farming for years are finding it too costly to continue.  Although many will simply just close down their operations, more and more are choosing to make the switch to organic foods.  This not only helps to keep farmers afloat and in business, but it can also help the environment, by eliminating the number of pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals that are used.

Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to buying and eating organic foods, it is also important to touch on the downsides of doing so as well. One of the biggest cons or downsides associated with eating organic is the cost of doing so.  Visiting one of your local supermarkets and walking through an organic food section will give you an idea as to the costs.  When compared to other foods, organic food generally does cost more money.  While that cost is more than worth it to many, some are turned off by it.  With that being said, it is important to know that there are a number of ways that you can save money on organic foods.  These ways involve searching for store sales on organic foods or by using organic food coupons. Or, the best way of all is to buy directly from local farmers, thus saving the costs of the "middle man," and also providing more profit to the farmers, and fresher produce for your family.

Image by istolethetv via FlickrThere are also many individuals who are unhappy with the selection of organic foods that they are able to gain access to locally.  For the largest selection of organic foods locally, examine specialty organic food stores, as they specialize solely in the selling of natural foods.  You may also check the internet, as there a number of product manufacturers who sell their organic foods online, as well as organic food stores that sell a number of different brands. Even better - visit your local farmer's market, where you can shop at numerous farm stands in one place, and often find fresher organic foods at cheaper prices than you would find in a store.

Regardless of where you find them, organic foods can be a great addition to your diet, providing more nutrients, better taste, and fewer toxins to contribute to your toxic load.

 

Related Articles on Organic Foods:

• The Dirty Dozen: How to Eat Organic without Breaking the Bank (bodyquirks.wordpress.com)
• Why Seasonal, Local, Organic? Why not! (foodisagoodthing.wordpress.com)
• Eat Real America (foxnews.com)
• Eating Local: 4 First Steps to Become a Locavore (fooducate.com)
• 12 Foods You Should Always Buy Organic (thedailymeal.com)
• The Organic Dilemma (openviewgardens.com)