Organic food question

Blockhead

My dad his whole life ate good. Meats, cheeses, pasta, ice cream, everything... He works out alot and still looks like an athlete, But hes been dating this lady recently and she is a vegan(sp) no meat, no dairy, Everything is organic. Now he is like that now, everything is damn organic in his house, and all he eats is organic food and boca burgers. And this is all he talks to me about is that i eat like crap, In which i honestly have a great diet, ... Now i don't feel like arguing but its getting on my nerves now and I really want to know... Is organic food better for you, than say stakes and cheeses and pastas.... Is organic food that good for your body and health????

mca47

Overall I'd generally say that it is probably a little better for you, but if you eat healthy non-organic foods you should be fine.
Minimally processed, no preservatives, no additives, all natural...
Personally, I buy a lot of organic food but I also get a lot of non-organic healthy food. I too am a bit of a health nut but cannot always afford the organic stuff.
I don't eat any red meat or pork (10+ years now) and try to stick to natural healthier alternatives.
I work in cancer research so I see first hand the result of unhealthy lifestyles.
I'm am convinced more and more that the stuff we cram down our throats every day is the biggest cause of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.
Organic produce is simply the ONLY way to go. Sure it cost more but the difference is night and day!

Abookamongstthemany

HeidiJam wrote:

My dad his whole life ate good. Meats, cheeses, pasta, ice cream, everything... He works out alot and still looks like an athlete, But hes been dating this lady recently and she is a vegan(sp) no meat, no dairy, Everything is organic. Now he is like that now, everything is damn organic in his house, and all he eats is organic food and boca burgers. And this is all he talks to me about is that i eat like crap, In which i honestly have a great diet, ... Now i don't feel like arguing but its getting on my nerves now and I really want to know... Is organic food better for you, than say stakes and cheeses and pastas.... Is organic food that good for your body and health????

I think so but even with organics you still need to research the best brands and find whats best for you and what things you're specicially trying to avoid.

MrBrian

HeidiJam wrote:

My dad his whole life ate good. Meats, cheeses, pasta, ice cream, everything... He works out alot and still looks like an athlete, But hes been dating this lady recently and she is a vegan(sp) no meat, no dairy, Everything is organic. Now he is like that now, everything is damn organic in his house, and all he eats is organic food and boca burgers. And this is all he talks to me about is that i eat like crap, In which i honestly have a great diet, ... Now i don't feel like arguing but its getting on my nerves now and I really want to know... Is organic food better for you, than say stakes and cheeses and pastas.... Is organic food that good for your body and health????

You can buy organic cheese and stakes, organic does'nt mean vegetarian.
But yes, eating food without chemicals (for the most part) is healthier.

MrBrian

oh yea, I main organic product I buy is Organic milk. Otherwise I just avoid things like HFCS.

Ahnimus

I eat poorly and I will probably die 10 years earlier.

But think of all the time I saved not worrying about it

hippiemom

HeidiJam wrote:

My dad his whole life ate good. Meats, cheeses, pasta, ice cream, everything... He works out alot and still looks like an athlete, But hes been dating this lady recently and she is a vegan(sp) no meat, no dairy, Everything is organic. Now he is like that now, everything is damn organic in his house, and all he eats is organic food and boca burgers. And this is all he talks to me about is that i eat like crap, In which i honestly have a great diet, ... Now i don't feel like arguing but its getting on my nerves now and I really want to know... Is organic food better for you, than say stakes and cheeses and pastas.... Is organic food that good for your body and health????

Meats, cheeses and ice cream are loaded with fat and cholesterol. A little bit is fine, but if you're eating a lot of that stuff, chances are your arteries are going to be very unhappy with you and will make you pay in the future.

Most non-organic foods contain chemical pesticides. Meats and especially dairy products also contain growth hormones and antibiotics. Non-organic corn, wheat and soy products are likely to have been genetically modified. Not much is known for sure about how most of these products will affect the human body over the long term, because there's been no long term testing.

If your dad is bugging you about it, it's probably because he feels a lot better since he changed his eating habits and he wants you to be as healthy as possible.

Ahnimus

hippiemom wrote:

Meats and especially dairy products also contain growth hormones and antibiotics. ...Not much is known for sure about how most of these products will affect the human body over the long term...

It is known that the hormones added to meats and the effects of synthetic lighting causes people to go through adolescence earlier.

chopitdown

hippiemom wrote:

If your dad is bugging you about it, it's probably because he feels a lot better since he changed his eating habits and he wants you to be as healthy as possible.

you kidding me??? misery loves company...he doesn't want to be the only one in the house eating boca burgers and vegan fare

i agree though, check the brands on the organic food and try avoid the processed foods and HFCS that is added to a lot of food and if going organic makes that easier, by all means go organic...but please, please cheat every once in a while.

Leatherman®

It's definitely better for you. I can't say I'm disciplined enough to do it myself though. Here's a couple nice resources:

http://www.edenfoods.com/

http://www.organicconsumers.org/

Ms. Haiku

I buy organically because growing organic plants or feeding animals with organic feed is better in the long run for the earth, and the people that eventually eat the plants or animals. My understanding is that the pesticides/hormones whathaveyou end up in the fat cells of people who eat them. The theory is that those pesticides in the cells could cause cancer. That is why if a cow is given growth hormones it ends up in the fat of the cow and eventually in the fat of the person that eats it.

Also, although maybe not in all cases, farmers who use pesticides may not rotate their crops, and the soil is depleted of nutrients earlier.

It sounds like your mixing two concepts on health: the food and how the food is processed. I think eating is so personal that if someone picks on you for it then that person is basically insulting you as a person. What can be more personal to a person than his/her body? I eat differently than my twin, and our body shapes are different because of it. If I feel that I'm going down the holier-than-thou path I hope she reminds me of compassion. Luckily, this doesn't seem to happen much.

I remember when I was about 20 pounds heavier one of my older sisters told me that maybe I shouldn't eat so much cake. You don't forget shit like that, you know? It's not nice.

redrock

Just eat a balanced diet, getting all the necessary nutrients from all the food groups that includes meat if you wish. The key words are moderation and balance. There are plenty of resources to inform you of the portions of each good groups required.

Organic is not a 'diet' choice like vegetarian or vegan, you still eat everything. Though organic foods are supposedly pesticide free, and organic meats are more 'animal' friendly, some pesticides are still permitted and limited 'treatment' to animals are permitted as well. It would be crazy to think otherwise as, unless you're growing your own food in your back garden, we're talking farming, ie large numbers or large plots of land and also transport to the shops (goods have to stay fresh)... What I'm getting at is that you need to be careful with the labelling 'organic'. Check the small print.. Look for 100% organic.

Yes, if you are worried about chemicals in your system, 100% organic is the way to go but on the other hand, 'normal' food is not going to cause cancer or anything! The levels of residual pesticides you find in shop bought produce is negligible.

You said it in your post: "My dad his whole life ate good. Meats, cheeses, pasta, ice cream, everything... He works out alot and still looks like an athlete"..... a good balanced diet and exercise!!!! Ideal.

polaris

my 2 cents

it really depends on what one considers to be a healthy diet ... and what nutritional philosophy you prescribe to ... i try to limit processed foods, dairy and gluten in my diet ... i buy organics especially in meats as i think the shit they put in that is the worst ...

for produce - i mix it up because most of the organics comes from factory farms in california or south america ... i'd much prefer to buy food grown a lot closer to home ...

as for dealing with your dad ... as long as you think he is trying to tell you cuz he cares for ya ... then bear it and move on ...

nick1977

I believe it is. Pesticides and herbicides sprayed on crops get into the soil...which in turn goes into the plant. Over time, these toxins will build up in our bodies.

Organic meat and dairy is especially better (even the taste!) Go buy a half gallon of organic milk and regular milk.....you will see and taste the difference yourself. Cows injected with hormones and chemicals cannot produce the best milk.

I buy organic as much as possible....I believe it tastes better and is healthier. I could talk about this for hours, but I'll stop here.

Ms. Haiku

nick1977 wrote:

I believe it is. Pesticides and herbicides sprayed on crops get into the soil...which in turn goes into the plant. Over time, these toxins will build up in our bodies.

Organic meat and dairy is especially better (even the taste!) Go buy a half gallon of organic milk and regular milk.....you will see and taste the difference yourself. Cows injected with hormones and chemicals cannot produce the best milk.

I buy organic as much as possible....I believe it tastes better and is healthier. I could talk about this for hours, but I'll stop here.

I actually did a little experiment with potatoes. I ate an organic potato, and a non-organic potato. The non-organic potato tasted *saltier*. Yep, there is a taste difference. HMMMMMMMMMMM the best milk is locally grown organic and packaged in a glass bottle. . . now, that's living the good life. There was *heaven* in a bottle sold for a little bit of time at the PCC in Seattle. I don't know the brand name, but they stoped selling it. It was just wonderful, that's what I remember. That happened at a coop in my DC area, too. I was able to get milk in a glass bottle, and then I wasn't. I wonder if milk packaged in a glass bottle is less economical for the producer so it's more of a higher risk of decreased profits.

stuckinline

nick1976, i completely agree with your post

and ms. haiku, i did a similar experiment, but with rice. i made some uncle bens and i couldn't believe the "bleach" smell and taste of it. then i made organic rice, and the taste is 100% better.