Eathing Healthy on a budget

marynmo · Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2007 Posts: 3

Eating organic is all the rage now. You know organics have gone mainstream when even Harris Teeter has its own organic private label. But check those prices! Not everyone can afford to buy this stuff! So how do you bridge the gap between eating healthy and eating organic? By selectively choosing where to spend your hard earned dollars.

There has been some great research published recently on this topic. Here is a summary of what I have learned. Number one, focus on fruits and vegetables. The USDA reported that 47% of produce sampled in 2002 has detectable levels of pesticides, compared to only 16% in grains and 15% in meat (concentrates in the fat). Number two, buy things that you do not peel. Why spend more than two times the cost of a regular banana when the pesticides are discarded with the peel? Consumer Reports recommends spending more for the organic version of these: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, spinach, grapes, nectarines, strawberries, pears, peas, potatos and raspberries. If you can buy these organic products from a local farmers' market, you will probably save money AND support local agriculture. A no lose situation!

Another way to save money is to consider who will benefit the most from eating more expensive organic products. Sure, its better for everyone, but the data points to particular benefits accruing to kids and pregnant women. A 2003 Center for Disease Control and Prevention detected two times the level of some pesticides in children's urine than in adults. So the added hassle of "buying twice" may be an economic alternative for some folks.

I understand the next "organic" frontier wil be fish. I don't touch this stuff for a variety of reasons, one of which is my unsubstantiated belief that it is toxic. I wonder if I will be proven right or wrong. Any thoughts out there?

cole · Newbie Joined: Jul 16, 2007 Posts: 2

This is an interesting post and good to hear some of the ideas/research.

What have you read about organic milk versus non-organic?

I would be interested in hearing more about your theories of fish being toxic. I love fish and there is a lot of push for eating it. For example they recommend fish such as salmon because it has "healthy fats" that our bodies need.

Also, do you know of any place this time of year to get local organic produce (other than grocery stores)?

nsearchof · Newbie Joined: Jan 18, 2007 Posts: 2

This was published in the Nov issue of Spirituality & Health from Living Green by Greg Horn Freedom Press, Inc.
MEATS: Animals store high concentrations of chemicals in their fatty tissues

DAIRY PRODUCTS: Rich in fats, they store harmful chemicals.

FISH: Farmed fish often carry high levels of contaminants.

BERRIES: Their thin skins absorb harmful chemicals.

MUSHROOMS: Conventional growers use powerful fungicides on them.

SALAD CROPS: Lettuce, spinach, and celery are highly sprayed

ROOT CROPS: Carrots, etc., are sprayed. The parts you eat may contain chemicals.

WAXED FRUIT: Wax locks in pesticides and makes them difficult to wash off.

BANANAS: Foreign plantations can use 20 times more pesticides than US farms

COFFEE & TEA: Hot water brewing can concentrate residual pesticides

marynmo · Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2007 Posts: 3

I worked in agribusiness when dairy hormones first became available commercially. The entire dairy industry was very enthusiastic about the prospect of getting more milk per "production unit". Of course, that is what happened, and the price of milk cratered for some length of time. Be careful what you wish for!

I think the evidence is inconclusive about the impact of growth hormones in dairy products. It is sort of like genetically engineered grain seeds, which I think is generally very good for the world. As a mother, however, I am just more cautious about growth hormones. Girls are reaching puberty at younger and younger ages, which really scares me. There are several girls in my daughter's fifth grade class that have passed the milestone. We have really tried to keep all food hormones away from our daughter. This would primarily be meats and dairy. So far, so good. She is still a kid ... but a budding one!

We do not consume much fish in our house. This is mostly because I do not like it, but there are health reasons as well. I know of young ADULTS who got extremely sick from long term consumptionof tuna fish. With only anecdotal support, I think fish are the "canaries in the coal mine" when it comes to contaminants. So I just stay away.

Anyone have thoughts on genetically modified grains from a health perspective?