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August 4, 2021

Why choose organic over conventional food?

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Long gone are the days when organic food wasn’t readily available. Now you can find organic food in each and almost every grocery store. Not only can you find organic versions of your conventional favourites, but you can also shop online using platforms like DirectFood.store.  Because these days, it’s not just about the food itself. It’s very much about the journey it took to get to your plate. And, how buying organic and locally can cut down mass production and reduce your carbon footprint. Thus, it’s good to be mindful and aware of the process when it comes to organic food. Items might look the same and contain similar nutrients, but there are some points you should know before shopping organic. Today’s blog post will examine organic foods so you can discover the difference and make more informed decisions!

 

So, what is “organic” exactly? The term refers to how farmers grow and process vegetables, fruits, dairy products, grains and meat. They have several parameters that must be met to be considered organic producers, such as:

 

- Paying more attention to soil and water quality

- Reducing pollutants that can cause harm

- Focusing on the safety and health of habitats for animals

- Allowing animals to act naturally

- Promoting a regenerative cycle for resources on the farm

 

There is also a big emphasis on using only natural substances, which means avoiding any artificial chemicals, antibiotics, hormones and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

 

If all of these guidelines are followed and met, only then the products can be labelled organic. One easy way to spot this is to look for the Canadian Organic logo or USDA Organic seal when buying next time. You can also look for specific statements on food labels, so you can correctly identify whether or not the product was organically grown. For example:

 

- 100% Organic means the product is made entirely from organic ingredients

- Organic tells consumers at least 95% of the ingredients in the product are considered organic

- Made with Organic simply states that at least 70% of the ingredients in the product are deemed organic

 

But, what about nutrition? There have been numerous studies conducted to analyze organic foods’ nutritional profile compared to conventional products. Some potential benefits include:

 

- Organic food may contain higher levels of nutrients. In particular, studies have shown a significant increase in flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties

- Certain meat, dairy and egg products contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

- There may be lower levels of toxic metals in organic food

- Compared to conventionally grown food, organic food contains lower detectable levels of pesticide residue

 

Looking at these factors makes us wonder if there are any downsides at all to consuming and purchasing organic foods. Certainly, there is cost, but this is directly related to more expensive farming practices and therefore quite rightly justified in our opinion. We believe it is well worth the money as you’re actually investing in your health and wellness, which is a far greater reason to start shopping organic!

 

Some extra tips though:

 

- As always, try to pick a variety of products from various sources to give you a better mix of nutrients, and this will also reduce the chance that you will be exposed to a single pesticide

- Try to read labels carefully. One thing to remember is that while the product may be organic, this does not necessarily mean it won’t be high in calories, sugar or fat

- Buy your fruits and veggies according to the season, as this guarantees better quality and freshness

- You still have to wash and scrub your fruits and veggies to ensure you are removing any unwanted dirt, bacteria or traces of chemicals

 

We hope you’ve learned a little more about organic food enough to make the right decision when choosing between organic varieties and conventional products. The one thing that counts the most is you know you are contributing toward a healthier environment as harmful chemicals aren’t used on organic farms, thus contributing to minimal air, soil and water pollution. This can clearly translate to a safer and healthier world for our future generations, and if we know just this, then our decision should be easy. Check out the assortment of organic products on DirectFood.store and shop today!