THE FOUR W'S OF EATING ORGANIC

- C&J Nutrition, Contributing Writers

In our professional opinions, being organic is definitely not the only thing that makes Tastybaby so … well, tasty, but it sure does have its benefits.  And while organic foods imply a notion of health and taste for most people (and for good reason!), we think it’s important to understand what it really means to eat organic.  Here are the Whats, Whys, Whens and Wheres of eating organic foods – and the reasons that Tastybaby will always be 100% Organic.

WHAT are the basics: defining organic

Okay, maybe it’s not so basic, but we’re here to help with that part!   The term "organic" is defined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) which, since 2002, has had specific national standards for how organic foods are grown and labeled.   There are four different levels of organic foods – here’s what you should know about the different terms you’ll see on food labels:

"100% Organic" - Contains 100% organic ingredients* "Organic" - Contains 95% to 100% organic ingredients* "Made with organic ingredients" - Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients "Less than 70% organic" - If you don’t see the word "organic" anywhere on the front label but you do see it in the ingredients, this product contains fewer than 70% organic ingredients

*Note: Only products that contain 95% or more organic ingredients may carry the official USDA organic seal that you often see on foods.

A special note: don’t be fooled by some terms which are used by companies to give consumers the (false) impression that their products are healthier.  A common example is “all natural” and
“natural.” These terms have no relationship to organic.  In fact, "natural" doesn’t mean anything in terms of the nutrient or health value or ingredient quality of a product.  In addition, terms like “cage free”, “free range”, and “pasture fed” do not necessarily mean that the animals have had more than a couple minutes total lifetime exposure to the outdoors (if that).  The only way to know for sure is to familiarize yourself with the brand and/or farm that produces your food.  Buying locally-raised meats and locally-grown produce is a great way to have a better sense of where your food is coming from.  Plus, most reputable farms allow you to come take an on-site look, which is a great way to educate children about healthy food!!  And when it comes to fish, don’t be too impressed by an organic label – there aren’t any standards yet established for seafood to be labeled "organic."

WHY choose organic?

The benefits to your health and the environment are great reasons to choose organic foods.  Organic foods are grown and handled without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers,
hormones, herbicides, toxic chemicals or genetic modification or irradiation. This means that  potentially dangerous substances don’t get put into the soil or transfered to your body.  Animals raised for organic meat are fed only organic feed, have access to the outdoors and aren’t given any synthetic growth hormones or antibiotics.  These factors all lead to healthier meat. 

The safety of your family is the primary reason Tastybaby stays 100% organic – they don’t want your little ones exposed to harmful pesticides.  But nutrition is also a factor in Tastybaby’s decision to be 100% Organic.  Studies have found that organic fruits and veggies have higher levels of several important nutrients, including health-boosting antioxidants.

Finally, the environment and planet-friendliness is another big motivation for Tastybaby, but we're Nutritionists, so we'll let Liane and Shannan tell you more about that in another blog!

WHEN to choose organic (if you have to choose):

As a good rule of thumb, choose organic whenever possible.  Always make rice, milk, meat, eggs and baby food organic.  As for produce, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has tested the pesticide residue levels on tons of fruits and veggies and ranked them based on pesticide levels.  Ideally, all our produce would come from local, organic sources, but the reality is that we usually end up with a mixture of conventional and organic choices.  To determine what produce should always be eaten organic, and which ones are less harmful to eat conventional, follow these guidelines: 

Always buy Organic (conventional alternatives have high levels of pesticide residues):

Apples                         
Peaches
Bell peppers                   
Pears
Celery                         
Potatoes
Cherries                       
Raspberries
Imported grapes        
Spinach
Nectarines                     
Strawberries

Okay to buy conventional (conventional have minimal pesticide residues):

Asparagus                      
Mangoes
Avocados                       
Onions
Bananas               
Papaya
Broccoli                       
Pineapples
Cauliflower                    
Sweet corn
Kiwi                           
Sweet peas

WHERE to find more information: 

For more details on specific organic standards for different types of foods, to find a local organic grower in your area or for answers to questions regarding organic regulations, visit the USDA’s National Organic Program website.

WHERE to buy: 

It’s pretty easy to find a wide selection of organic foods in most supermarkets now.  Remember to look for the USDA organic seal on packaged foods to ensure that they are 95-100% organic.  However, if you have the option of choosing locally grown (or raised) foods, this is best.  Find a local farmer’s market near you or visit your individual state department of agriculture.