One of the healthiest dietary changes you can make is to go organic and avoid all foods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The goal here is to reduce your exposure to herbicides, pesticides, and GMOs while increasing your intake of nutrient-dense foods.
What is organic food? The term “organic” refers to how certain foods are produced. Organic foods have been grown or farmed without the use of:
Artificial chemicals
Hormones
Antibiotics
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
In order to be labeled organic, a food product must be free of artificial food additives. This includes artificial sweeteners, preservatives, coloring, flavoring, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Organically grown crops tend to use natural fertilizers like manure to improve plant growth. Animals raised organically are not given antibiotics or hormones.
- Higher nutrient content, especially antioxidants
- Lower pesticide residue
- Reduced risk of allergic reactions or sensitivities
- Safer for the environment and animal welfare
GMO foods have been linked to liver damage, hyper-permeability of the gut lining (leaky gut), increased food sensitivities, autoimmune disorders, reproductive issues, sterility, and infant mortality. You can learn more about the risks of GMO foods by visiting the Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT).
A great first step is to avoid the “Dirty Dozen” (the twelve most chemically soaked veggies and fruits) and focus more on the “Clean Fifteen” (though not organic, these veggies and fruits tend to contain lower levels of herbicides and pesticides). These lists are maintained by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization dedicated to helping consumers navigate their way through an increasingly toxic world.
Eat Organic Fruits, Vegetables, and Proteins
