Is it really worth the premium?
  |
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| | Stop me if this sounds familiar: You're standing in the dairy aisle of the grocery store, trying to decide between one pack of butter that costs $8.99 and one that costs $11.99. Both are from the same brand, but the $11.99 butter option has "organic" written across the front in big cursive letters. | | If you're me, you'll stay stuck in front of that fridge for at least another 90 seconds, trying to figure out the true value of $3. I'll ultimately make my choice depending on how rich I'm feeling at that moment — which, I admit, is not a very logical decision making process. | | So, to help me (and anyone else who feels torn about organic food) make more informed decisions at the grocery store, Kirsten Seele, a registered dietitian at Healthline and Wellos coach, is back. | | | | The more you know!
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
August 20, 2024 • 4 min read | | | | | Powered by | |  | |  | | | Q: | Are there any benefits to buying organic food? | | | A: | Ultimately, there are some benefits to buying organic food products and produce. However, buying organic isn't essential for good health. I recommend purchasing whichever type of produce gets you and your family to eat more fruits and veggies!
Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether to buy organic food: - There's not enough evidence to confirm that organic produce is healthier (i.e., has more antioxidants and vitamins) than conventional produce.
- Just because something is labeled "organic" doesn't automatically mean it is healthy. The "organic" label means the product is free from artificial chemicals/synthetic pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs. However, looking at the nutrition label regarding saturated fats, sodium, and added sugar is still important.
- Non-organic products are safe for consumption. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does annual pesticide residue testing and finds almost all pesticide residue samples below the tolerance levels, which are strict standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Organic farming can help decrease the risks of short-term and long-term consequences of chemical exposure to which farmers can be subjected. Due to elevated exposure levels of pesticides, farmers are at higher risk of consequences than consumers.
We also see that organic farming benefits the environment in some ways, including by improving soil composition, improving air quality in rural areas, and decreasing groundwater contamination. However, the sustainability of these practices can be worrisome as our population continues to grow, and organic farming tends to produce fewer crops and uses more land.
Final thoughts: - If organic produce, meats, or other products are on sale, if they're affordable to you, or if you prefer them, go for it! If you prefer to stick with conventional products, that is absolutely OK too!
- If you are worried about pesticide exposure or environmental impacts, go halfsies! Buy organic lettuces or berries but conventional bananas and avocados.
- If you have space to grow your produce, try it out. Nothing is more convenient (and rewarding) than going to your backyard and harvesting your goods!
| |  | | Written by Kirsten Seele
Wellos Coach and Registered Dietitian | | | Wellos optimizes your nutrition and lifestyle by helping you make changes that are easy to manage. Every member is different, and Wellos provides tools and tracking built around the outcomes you want to achieve. | | Wellos is a sister brand of Healthline. | | | | | | | | | Death to plastic | | | | | | |  | | Cottify Reusable Produce Bags | | I'm always trying to cut down on my plastic consumption (I mean, who isn't?), which recently led me to buy a pack of these cotton mesh bags for buying produce at the grocery store. I was sold when I read that these bags are made of 100% cotton — no metal or plastic at all. After using them for a few weeks of grocery store trips, I clean them in the washing machine on low. It's so nice not having to rely on the single-use plastic bags anymore. | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | | What we're digesting | | 🪮 What do melatonin supplements have to do with hair loss? Do they treat hair loss or cause it? We look into the research. | | 🥀 The impact of untreated postpartum depression. This underdiagnosed condition can cause serious health issues for mother and baby. | | 🏃 Is diet or exercise more important for your health? Spoiler: They're both pretty important! | | 🥐 Celiac disease versus gluten intolerance. Learn more about the similarities and differences between these related conditions. | | | Thanks for reading, everyone! If you have anything you'd like to share about the organic food debate, we'd love to hear from you! Email nutritionedition@healthline.com to let us know. | | | Until next time, |  | Take care of yourself, and we'll see
you again soon! | | | | |  | | This edition was powered by | | nectarines. | | | | |
| View in browser
Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here.
To see all newsletters, click here.
Privacy | Unsubscribe
Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.
© 2024 RVO Health
1101 Red Ventures Drive
Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | |  | |
No comments:
Post a Comment