Question regarding Organic Foods

[EKT915]

Just wondering when you switched from eating regular foods (ie: food with preservatives or chemicals in them) to organic foods, did you see a difference in yourself or your child? I am currently eating more regular foods but am thinking of switching to organic foods and was just looking for some input.

[thedomesticdiva]

Our biggest difference was in preservatives. I did not realize how much they affected my son. He had behaviorial issues that got better over time as we started to eat unprocessed foods. Then when he had some blueberry muffins (from a box mix), he was WILD and ANGRY... I went through his food diary and then realized he was reacting to preservatives.

I think as far as pesticides go, we will probably never know all the damage they do. I have read that they react as hormones which could be why so many people today have hormone imbalances. I do not have $ to spend only on organic, so I buy the "dirty dozen" and local for the rest.

Sara :

[Leilalu]

I think starting out doing a CSA share will be the best option cost-wise, though you may have to wait until next year - so I would look into them . They can help you save money and introduce you to locally grown organics.

I buy mostly organic. I try to just do the best I can. Some vegetables I even get from my MIL. I think I read somewhere once that even one apple has more than the FDA deems safe for pesticide count. I think that since children are so vulnerable(since the barrier between blood/brain doesn't fully close until about 9) it is really important to pay attention to what they eat. I know my kids react to white sugar. I know they react to any preservatives or food colorings. So if they do get those things it is a very rare occasion. But I don't buy things like that.

I agree that we may never fully know the amount of damage they do-so I am not taking chances. Plus, we eat vegetables for nutrition- and sad to say most farming done in this country is on soils that are stripped, sprayed , not allowed to rest and crops are not rotated.

[guestmama9904]

i have been fortunate in my life to never have been exposed to much non-organic foods. my parents were very health-concious, shopped at the local natural foods coop or their friend's farm and once i grew up i chose to buy mostly organic and local when possible. sure i went through a teenage sugar/candy obsession but overall i have generally only eaten organic food my whole 27 years.