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Healthy Mushroom Soup
Organic Foods - Any Benefits?
Intermittent fasting
Juicing
Foods to Minimize or Avoid
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Superfoods
Preparing for Surgery
Supplements -What Helps and Why
Homeopathy and cancer
Mind-Body and Soul - Achieving Balance
Dealing with Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Integrative options for specific cancers
Get Moving - How and Why
Improving Sleep
Survivorship- What to do after treatments?
Exceptional Patients - Lessons For You
Recommended Books
Resources and links
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The Value of Presence
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Intermittent fasting and cancer
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Organic Foods - Any Benefits?

What does "organic" mean?

The term organic can be applied to plants, animal based food products, fish or seafood. Simply stated, organic food is grown or produced without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, genetic engineering, growth hormones, artificial ingredients and irradiation. 

 How will I know if a food is organically grown or produced?

Different countries around the world have different ways of labeling organic food and produce.

For more information on labeling organic food in your country:

Europe 
Israel 
Japan 
Australia 
India 
USA 

In the US look for the word "organic" or the USDA Organic seal.
The USDA Organic seal assures consumers of the quality and integrity of organic products.

The USDA has three categories of labeling organic products and can be found on product packages:

· 100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients

· Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients

· Made With Organic Ingredients: At least 70% of the ingredients are organic, with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organisms)

Are organic foods really healthier?

Many studies over the past 10 years have been conducted on organic produce and foods. To date there are no conclusive studies that definitively support the claim that organic food is more nutritious. But many studies do show that they may have increased amounts of phytochemicals, protein, vitamins or minerals. Certain studies have also shown that there are fewer harmful ingredients, such as pesticides and heavy metals, in organic foods. Together, this makes organic foods a better choice for health.  

Can I just wash and peel produce to avoid pesticides?

Pesticides and other chemicals are in the flesh of fruits and vegetables (some more than others). Washing and peeling will help reduce the pesticides, but they cannot be removed completely. 

Does organic food taste better?

Taste is a subjective matter, but many gourmet chefs around the world are choosing organic food to prepare because they believe it tastes better and is of higher quality.
Along with the chefs, many consumers are choosing organic food since it tastes better. It is thought that since organic food is grown in well-balanced soil, it absorbs more minerals and nutrients, which improve taste. Try organic and see what you think! 

Why does organic food cost more?

In the US organic farmers don’t receive subsidies from the government that conventional farmers do. This results in a price of food that reflects the TRUE cost of growing produce. Usually organic farms are smaller and have higher labor and management. Use the table below to help prioritize which fruit and vegetables to buy organic.

Which organic produce should I buy?

Not all fruits and vegetables were created equal. The amount of pesticides absorbed by different plants varies.

Remember that it is better to eat non-organic produce regularly, than to only occasionally eat organic fruits and vegetables. Below is a table to help you prioritize which produce to buy organic. Print out the table and put in your wallet or hang on your refrigerator to help you when grocery shopping.

Buy Organic

OK to Buy Non-Organic

Peaches

Onions

Apples

Avocado

Sweet Bell Peppers

Sweet Corn (Frozen)

Celery

Pineapples

Nectarines

Mango

Strawberries

Sweet Peas (Frozen)

Cherries

Asparagus

Lettuce

Kiwi

Grapes

Bananas

Pears

Cabbage

Spinach

Broccoli

Potatoes

New additions 2010:
Blueberries

2011
Link
Kale/ Collard greens

Eggplant  

New additions 2010:
Cantaloupe
Sweet potatoe
Melon
Watermelon
Mushroom
Grapefruit

 2011 Dirty dozen

 2012 Dirty dozen plus

The following table lists a more extensive list of produce from lowest pesticide levels to highest. The score represents the total score for each produce item, based on six different tests on pesticide levels.

Items with high scores have the highest pesticide levels and are best bought organic, while items with low scores can be bought non-organic.

Score

Fruit/Vegetable

1 (lowest pesticide level)

Onions

1

Avocado

2

Sweet Corn-Frozen

7

Pineapples

9

Mango

11

Sweet Peas-Frozen

11

Asparagus

14

Kiwi

16

Bananas

17

Cabbage

18

Broccoli

19

Eggplant

21

Papaya

24

Blueberries

25

Watermelon

30

Sweet Potatoes

30

Tomatoes

31

Winter Squash

31

Grapefruit

31

Honeydew Melon

31

Lemons

34

Cantaloupe

37

Mushrooms

38

Tangerine

39

Cauliflower

46

Grapes-Domestic

46

Oranges

46

Plums

47

Raspberries

52

Cucumbers

53

Hot Peppers

55

Green Beans

57

Carrots

58

Potatoes

60

Spinach

65

Pears

68

Grapes - Imported

69

Lettuce

75

Cherries

83

Strawberries

84

Nectarines

85

Celery

86

Sweet Bell Peppers

96

Apples

100 (highest pesticide level)

Peaches


                                                  The full list 2011



 
Where can I learn more about organic foods?

 Here are some helpful resources:

 National Organic Program

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop

202-720-3252

The US National Organic Program regulates the organic program for the federal government. It is a part of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Consumers Union 

http://www.consumersunion.org

914-378-2000

Consumer’s Union publishes Consumer Reports magazine. Click on the "Food" tab for details about organic products.


Organic Trade Association

http://www.ota.com

413-774-7511

Organic Trade Association represents the organic industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

Environmental Working Group     

http://www.ewg.org

202-667-6982

Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit organization. It supports health policies within the US government and educates the public.

 Some more on Organic Foods- World Healthiest Foods Website

  

 

 

 

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