Westlake Word

Special Stores. High Prices. Healthier... actually, maybe not?

 

Whenever someone hears the word “organic,” he/she automatically thinks of other words such as “fresh”, “healthier”, and simply, “better” than conventional food. When thinking about organic products, people also mostly think about fruits and vegetables that are organic versus conventional. Just because a food is deemed “organic” does not mean it is healthier or possibly even better for you. In fact, a fruit or vegetable does not change because it is organic, it is the materials used to grow those items that changes.

 

When foods are grown organically, they are grown without pesticides, fertilizers, and are not genetically modified. When looking at a list titled “The Dirty Dozen,” shoppers tend to buy organic versions of the plants of the dirty dozen list.

 

However, according to the article, “Should you go organic,” registered dietitian Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital states, "The verdict is still out about pesticides and fertilizers as far as the long-term impact on health. There are so many other variables in the environment. It's hard to say it's the pesticide on the peach that was the primary cause of a health-related issue." Therefore, it may not be the pesticides used on the fruits and vegetables that have an impact on health, it could be other factors that could affect organic fruits and vegetables as well.

 

Fruits and vegetables are most thought about when someone mentions the word “organic.” However, popular junk foods can be thought about as well, and are not that much different in healthy factors. One example is popcorn; many people love it and it comes in different flavors. When looking at organic popcorn, such as O Organics’ organic sea salt popcorn, people can see it has 140 calories per serving, 70 calories from fat, and 8 grams of fat, as noted by Fooducate.

 

However, when looking at Smartfood Delight sea salt popcorn, it has 140 calories per serving, 60 calories from fat, and 7 grams of fat, Fooducate informs. As seen, organic foods are not that much healthier than conventional foods.

 

In short, there is not much that someone could do to make organic foods have a higher nutritional value or be “healthier”. No one can magically make organic foods healthier. On the other hand, there are always healthier options and “lite” food options but that just may be packed with GMOs that make it “healthier.” Therefore, McManus says, "At this time, after examining the data, I don't see any nutritional reasons to choose organic foods over conventional,” as noted in “Should you go organic?”

 

Organic foods have a price tag, and everyone knows it; even though they may not have any more of a nutritional value, the price may be worth it. Organic food is not healthier in that it does not reduced calories or fat content, but it is pesticide free; it can be noted that scientists do not yet know the full effect that pesticides have on the body. Imagine if someone asked you if you wanted fertilizer for a snack.

 

Works Cited

"O Organics Organic Popcorn, Lightly Salted." Fooducate, Fooducate LTD, www.fooducate.com/app#!page=product&id=E0EFFE24-E112-11DF-A102-FEFD45A4D471. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018.

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"Should you go organic?" Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard University, Sept. 2015, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-you-go-organic.

 

"Smartfood Delight Sea Salt Popcorn." Fooducate, Fooducate LTD, www.fooducate.com/app#!page=product&id=53FCBCA3-41E6-862C-4DFD-915875CD902B. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018.