Organic foods are becoming more and more popular. I no longer have to go to the local health food store to find organic foods – more and more options are popping up every day at my mainstream grocery store.
Many of the brands that cater to the food-allergic use organic ingredients, but how important is eating organic to you if you have food allergies?
I recently came across this article in the Des Moines Examiner, by Stephanie Hay, that reminded me why I choose organic foods whenever I can. Stephanie points out that organic foods don’t contain food additives and flavor enhancers such as aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, dyes, contaminants, and preservatives, and notes that people are increasingly becoming more and more allergic to these additives. I also worry about genetically modified foods and how they may affect us.
While eating organic foods is generally considered healthier for everyone, I think it may be even more important to those that are food-allergic. Although eating organic isn’t always practical or cost-effective, my rule of thumb is to buy foods with as few ingredients as possible, and no additives.
What do you think? Do you eat organic?
Photo via Creative Commons by Lars P
2 comments:
I do try to eat organic for more of the foods I am able to eat with all of these dietary limitations... that being said, though, I rarely buy the organic fruit and vegetables.
I find it ironic, yet I don't change. What I perceive to be the utmost healthiest items (fruit & veggies) that I eat the most often just seem to break the bank when compared to their non-organic equivalents.
I did learn from the movie Food Inc. that organic doesn't mean pesticide-free, which surprised me.
But still, with all the health issues I have, I should be able to justify the cost of organic produce since I go to the trouble of making almost everything else (including my homemade hummus) organic.
Makes me question my priorities.
StephanieC, I have been finding more and more organic produce at the mainstream grocery store than ever market. And this time of year the farmer's markets can have some great buys too!
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