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Health & Fitness

Why Eat Organic?

Why should you eat organic food? There are many benefits to eating organic, both for your health and for the environment.

Ah, summertime – school’s out, warm weather, sunshine, beaches, Tiger's baseball and gardens full of fresh produce. 

It’s great to take advantage of all of the fresh fruits and vegetables during this time of year!  However, it begs the question: when shopping, should I choose organic?  The short answer: yes!  Buy organic whenever possible!

Why Buy Organic?

  • To avoid the insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and other chemicals used to treat fruits and vegetables
  • To avoid Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
  • To help protect the environment by keeping the soil and water supply free of pesticides and chemicals
  • To support local farmers

If you are unable to buy organic, "The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce" is a great resource to help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues on them.  Check out The Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products purchased should also be organic.  Today, there are many examples of problems with meat products – pink slime, ammonia being added, mad cow disease and the list goes on.

Conventional farmers are giving their animals antibiotics and added hormones.  They also feed them GMO grain along with other items they should not be eating.  Remember, what goes into an animal eventually makes it into your body when you eat it.

For the sake of your health, it’s best to choose organic and greenfed whenever possible.  Would you rather pay a farmer now, or pay a doctor at a later date?

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