Walmart Offering More Organic
In Canada, Walmart Offering More Organic Options
The recent announcement that Walmart Canada will be offering more organic options for shoppers is a step in the right direction. We are often asked, “Are organic foods worth the extra cost?” Answer: Definitely yes!
A healthy eating economic lesson: Illness costs more than wellness.
Many factors influence shoppers’ decision to choose organic food. The main three reasons to go organic include:
- Pesticides – Synthetic pesticides are used by conventional farmers to reduce mold, insects and disease. But, at what cost to the consumer? Choosing to eat organic means choosing to limit your exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Food Additives – Food manufactures add food additives like preservatives, artificial sweeteners, food coloring and flavoring, and MSG. The easiest way to separate “junk” food from healthy food is to avoid food with artificial (fake) ingredients. If you avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, colors with numbers (i.e., red #40), MSG and aspartame, then you’re already eating a diet that is 90% pure!
- Environment – Organic farming reduces pollution, conserves water and enhances the soil quality.
Organic Produce
As an added nutritional perk, new studies reveal that organic fruits and vegetables tend to be higher in vitamins and minerals. The explanation: if growing plants aren’t tainted with commercial pesticides, they have to muster up their own natural ones. When buying all organic isn’t possible, opt to buy the organic options of the “dirty dozen” which include:
- apples
- apricots
- blackberries
- cantaloupe
- cherries
- grapes
- nectarines
- peaches
- pears
- raspberries
- spinach
- strawberries
Organic Meat + Poultry
Free range grazing, organically fed livestock, besides being free of chemical pollutants like synthetic hormones and antibiotics, have meat and milk that are more nutritious. Studies reveal that free-foraging livestock, like wild game, have a healthier fat profile for more omega-3s and less omega-6s. This more nutritious fatty-acid pattern is also seen in the milk from organically fed cows. One of the reasons we urge you to eat organic animal products is that agricultural researchers believe that animals tend to discard chemicals in their milk and eggs.
If, on occasion, you are not able to buy organic meats and poultry products, at least choose lean varieties since pesticides tend to concentrate in fatty tissue. (For this reason, if you eat dairy you should also always buy organic butter, cheese, and cream.)
The Taste Test
Still not convinced to go organic? Try the taste test! Organic foods are healthier, safer, and tend to taste better. Organically grown vegetables have been reported to taste sweeter. Since chemical pesticides are not used, the plant keeps its ability to make its own sugars. You’ll also notice a difference in taste and texture between meat from wild game and free-foraging livestock and that of feedlot-fed animals that sat around in a pen and ate junk food all day.
So, what do we recommend?
Eat more fresh foods, fewer packaged foods, and go organic. Your body and your medical insurance company will thank you!