6 Reasons It’s Time to Start Buying Organic Foods

From low-carb to paleo, keto to gluten-free, the food industry is overflowing with buzzwords that make it hard to decipher what you should and shouldn’t be buying when you go to the grocery store. Regardless of whether you follow the latest health trends or not, one thing you can count on is organic food. It offers numerous benefits for your body and your environment—no trendy recipes needed.

You Will Have Fewer Chemicals in Your Food

Foods grown in bulk and sold all across the country must be treated with fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals that keep the crops from being too small or falling victim to pests, but these chemicals can wreak havoc on some bodies, and some experts believe the combining of them makes the problem even worse. Organic products are grown on a smaller scale and use strict guidelines in regards to which products they use for fertilizing and protecting from insects. By purchasing organic fruits, vegetables, meats, and more, you are ensuring you aren’t exposing yourself or your family to potentially toxic chemicals.

You Avoid Hormones and Antibiotics

Just like traditional crops are exposed to more chemicals, livestock is often pumped full of antibiotics and hormones to make them grow bigger and faster, something that must be done in order to keep up with the growing demand for food as the population continues to climb.

When a human being eats meat or other animal products that have been treated with hormones, those hormones then enter the human system. Some people may never have any reaction, but others, such as children or pregnant or nursing women, could have side effects. Some hormones found in milk have even been found to link to cancer in women.

Reduces Soil and Water Pollution

Switching to organic food doesn’t just help you and your family to be healthier. Organic produce and animal products are also healthier for the environment. The chemicals used to grow traditional food can leech into the soil, making it infertile for growing crops and eventually causing the chemicals to run into the water supply, rendering it dangerous to drink. Because organic produce must fit certified standards, they do not use any toxic chemicals that can ruin the country’s farmland.

It Supports Local Farms

One reason that mass-produced food uses so many chemicals is to act as preservatives so the food can be transported long distances over long periods of time without spoiling before it reaches the grocery store. Because organic foods cannot use these chemicals, they can’t be transported long distances. This means the produce and animals are more likely to be grown or raised within your state or even in your city. By supporting local, smaller farmers, you ensure another family doesn’t lose their livelihood to corporate agriculture.

It Is Better for Your Overall Health

Chemicals and hormones do not just affect people by making them more susceptible to cancers or other dangerous diseases. They can also cause bloating, weight gain, acne, and even joint and muscle pain in some people. People who suffer from these issues and switch to eating only organic foods sometimes show a reduction in symptoms. In some cases, the symptoms disappear altogether. People often lose weight and have more energy when they stop eating chemical-laden food.

Eating Organic Doesn’t Have to Be Overly Expensive

When organic food first hit the market, it was a new and trendy idea with few sources of products. Because of the high demand and low supply, prices were generally very high. However, over the last decade or so, as more companies have turned to creating sustainable organic products, they have been able to create more supply for the high demand. The result is lower prices.

Companies such as Hampton Creek strive to ensure their products are always accessible to people, which is why you often find their mayonnaise, salad dressings, and cookie products in chain department stores such as Walmart and Target. You can even find them in some dollar stores.

Of course, eating organic isn’t a magic cure. It won’t make you fit and healthy overnight, and if you have other serious ailments, you may always require medical care for that ailment. It also won’t make a more sustainable planet overnight. However, as more people take steps toward improving their health the environment, the positive effects will become more noticeable. As with any diet or lifestyle change, always speak to your doctor before drastically changing the way you eat.