It's pretty clear that 'organic' is becoming more of a 'want'. I mean, even with what I'm about to tell you...
I still buy organic whole milk for my daughter....even though the research came out recently that conventional milk actually had more nutrition in it (more iodine to be specific, which can help with thyroid issue).
Anyway, I want to make this SIMPLE and RELEVANT for you.
But before that…
I really need to know what ‘better’ means to you…
Better for weight loss?
Better for your taste buds?
Better for the environment?
Better for ‘health’ (whatever that means to you)?
Better for your bank account?
And because I’m writing this and we’re not having a conversation
^^^ which means you can’t respond
I’m going to answer them all for you (because I’m nice…)
1) Is organic better for weight loss?
An organic carrot contains the same number of calories as a conventional carrot. Just like…Organic milk will contain the same amount of calories as conventional milk.
And because your overall balance of energy in and energy out plays a key role in weight loss…
It’s logical to conclude that whether you choose to eat organic or conventional food
It will NOT make a difference to your weight loss (providing the amount of food you eat is the same)
2) Is organic food tastier?
The perception of ‘taste’ is a very subjective one.I mean, if I gave you some tomatoes and told you that ‘this’ one was organic and ‘that’ one was conventional…
Would you be more likely to say that the organic tomato tasted better because you have that expectation that it ‘should’?
Well, there’s been many studies where they ‘blind’ the tasters
^^^ Not literally. Just so they don’t know which are organic and which are conventional
The results?
Some say conventional taste better…Others say organic tastes better.
So is organic food tastier than conventional food?
Scientifically…NO
But on a practical level, it’s one for you to decide! I know for a FACT that the tomatoes my grandad grows are a lot nicer..
3) Is organic better for the environment?
We often assume that organic farming doesn’t use environmentally harmful chemicals.
And although organic farmers do appear to strive for ‘best practices’..This doesn’t mean ‘organic’ is better for the environment for these 3 reasons:
* Organic farming requires more land to produce the same yield as conventional
* Copper sulphate (a pesticide) IS allowed in organic farming (some have raised concerns about this)
* There are less suppliers of organic produce so the transport miles are often higher…questioning whether organic food is ‘local’
So…Is organic better for the environment?
Well, it seems there are many shades of grey (probably about 50…)
Maybe time will tell?
4) Is organic better for our ‘health’?
Now, most of us assume that ‘organic’ food is grown without chemicals or pesticides.And although pesticides are in fact used in ‘organic’ farming…You are 30% less likely to find pesticides in organic food.
But do pesticides even have a negative impact on your health?
Well, pesticides can be ‘toxic’ to organisms (including humans) when administered in ‘adequate’ amounts.
But so can: Water. Drinking too much water…can also be ‘toxic’ (as your sodium levels could go too low if you drink too much, too fast (easy on the vino…)
And this is exactly why we currently have regulations for the ‘safe’ administration of pesticides!
So, what about the nutritional content (like vitamins and minerals) in organic vs. conventional food?
Well, out of all of the vitamins and minerals compared in a recent review…
Only nitrogen and iodine (higher in conventional) and phosphorous (higher in organic) were different.
So, is organic better for your health?
Apparently not… (but will more time and research prove otherwise?)
5) Is ‘organic’ better for your bank account?
You know the answer…
Organic food can cost between 10% and 100% more than conventional food.
My two pence?
We’re confused enough as it is…
High fat, low carb ketogenic diets (more on that soon), fat burners, the Teatox, NO Carbs after 6pm..
I get that it’s pretty confusing.
Which is why you should get the basics right first:
1) However you do it, eat more fruit and veg in the process (if any diet disagrees with this then run...) and control your food intake so you eat sufficient amounts to feel fit, strong and full of energy... but not too much that you gain / struggle to lose fat
2) Eat enough protein to keep you full up for longer and tone up
3) Have the right mindset (as we know this weight loss and healthy eating stuff is more mindset than food and exercise...which is why my Nutrition System does your food for you so you spend less time worrying about what and when to eat)
To sum up, eating organic is a CHOICE. If I had to guess, it's not necessary to be healthy, happy, lose weight and save the planet...
But, I’d rather not guess...
And focus on what we do know
Eat well, move, and stress less about so-called 'bad foods' << as this often makes us eat more and think 'F it' anyway
Want the support and accountability from like-minded ladies and a registered Nutritionist so you can stop losing motivation and blaming willpower and take the guesswork out of this healthy eating and weight loss stuff?
Then my Free 7-Day Slim Down Shift may be for you.
Speak soon,
Matt ‘on the fence’ Fruci