Seventy-five years ago, all of the food produced in the United States was organic. However, since World War II, modern farming methods have resulted in the use of synthetic chemicals; large, automatic factory farms; the widespread use of antibiotics and hormones; radiation; and genetically modified organisms. Those changes have resulted in food that could be dangerous to your health, according to Paul Ratté, ND, a naturopathic practitioner at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Natural Care Center at Woodwinds, in Woodbury, Minn. Those dangers may be avoided by eating an organic diet.
“There are numerous benefits to organic food,” says Ratté. “Some research shows they have higher nutrient levels. They have lower pesticide residues, they don’t have additives that can potentially be neurotoxins, and they taste better.”
Because organic food can cost up to 30 percent more, and because food labels can be confusing, Ratte’ offers these tips to moving toward a more organic diet.
Avoid purchasing processed foods. “Shop the perimeter of the store,” says Ratté. “In the inside, the price goes up and the quality goes down. Buy food that rots. Choose fresh food first, frozen second and canned third.”
Prepare your meals yourself. “The movement in the last 100 years has been to get out of the kitchen, yet kitchens are getting bigger,” says Ratté. “We are able to grab more ‘convenience food’ that is much less healthy. Plan ahead and take a Sunday and make some meals that can last a week.”
Shop at farmers’ markets or purchase food through a community-supported farm or co-op. “If you buy directly from the farmer, you can ask the farmer directly about how the food was grown,” says Ratté.
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http://www.rockrivertimes.com/index.pl?cmd=viewstory&cat=6&id=15835
Organic living: Simple steps to help move toward a healthier diet
Posted by AregM
Seventy-five years ago, all of the food produced in the United States was organic. However, since World War II, modern farming methods have resulted in the use of synthetic chemicals; large, automatic factory farms; the widespread use of antibiotics and hormones; radiation; and genetically modified organisms. Those changes have resulted in food that could be dangerous to your health, according to Paul Ratté, ND, a naturopathic practitioner at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Natural Care Center at Woodwinds, in Woodbury, Minn. Those dangers may be avoided by eating an organic diet. “There are numerous benefits to organic food,” says Ratté. “Some research shows they have higher nutrient levels. They have lower pesticide residues, they don’t have additives that can potentially be neurotoxins, and they taste better.” Because organic food can cost up to 30 percent more, and because food labels can be confusing, Ratte’ offers these tips to moving toward a more organic diet. Avoid purchasing processed foods. “Shop the perimeter of the store,” says Ratté. “In the inside, the price goes up and the quality goes down. Buy food that rots. Choose fresh food first, frozen second and canned third.” Prepare your meals yourself. “The movement in the last 100 years has been to get out of the kitchen, yet kitchens are getting bigger,” says Ratté. “We are able to grab more ‘convenience food’ that is much less healthy. Plan ahead and take a Sunday and make some meals that can last a week.” Shop at farmers’ markets or purchase food through a community-supported farm or co-op. “If you buy directly from the farmer, you can ask the farmer directly about how the food was grown,” says Ratté. ....Continued on http://www.rockrivertimes.com/index.pl?cmd=viewstory&cat=6&id=15835