As you know, I am a huge proponent of organic food. Why?
The biggie is that organic foods have higher nutritional value than conventional food, according to some research.
You see, organic food is not sprayed with dangerous pesticides and fertilizers like conventional food.
In the absence of these pesticides and fertilizers, plants boost their production of the phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds.
In fact, just over 50 years ago, all food was considered organic, before big Agri-business came along.
Now, we have many studies that link pesticides in our food to everything from headaches to cancer to birth defects with many big court settlements as a result.
Organic food also requires that no breeding or synthetic hormones are used (in dairy and meat animals to speed up growth), no antibiotics used and are non-Genetically Modified.
However, there are certain foods, even if they are organic, that could still wreak havoc on your digestive system.
Wheat– With gluten sensitivities on the rise, it is being recognized that wheat may be possible triggers of asthma, allergies, migraines and a plethora of other symptoms.
Even if organic, it may still be difficult to digest which could leave many with digestive distress.
The best kind of wheat to consume is sprouted wheat as it still has live enzymes in it to help the body break it down.
For many, though, there are great non wheat alternatives such as amaranth, oats, almond, coconut, cassava, millet, rice or quinoa.
Soy-While soy has been touted as a great source of protein, research has shown its relationship to endocrine disruption, digestive problems, hormone issues, thyroid challenges and fertility complications.
Promoters of soy point out studies of Asians with their reduced rates of breast and prostate cancers with their traditional higher diet of soy.
However, the difference is that they traditionally consume primarily fermented soy which creates health-promoting probiotics that facilitate proper digestion.
Therefore, choose organic and fermented soy products such as miso, tamari or tempeh.
Peanut Butter-It’s the food we all grew up with, but it’s quickly becoming quite dangerous to more and more of our population.
Peanuts have a soft shell which allows contaminants such as fungi to bind to them. As a result, aflatoxin, a cancer-causing chemical produced by naturally occurring fungi in the soil, can easily attach itself to the developing nut.
This could cause systemic fungal infections which now affect the majority of our population which could even cause severe reactions and even death.
If you still buy organic peanut butter, be sure to keep it in the fridge to inhibit the growth of this naturally occurring fungus.
Cow’s milk-another staple of American life, buying organic can eliminate the concerns of antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals.
Way back when, when my kids were very young, I only bought organic milk as I thought it was the better alternative. But it always bothered me that the expiration dates were always around a month out.
If it’s organic, shouldn’t it be fresher and therefore last for a less amount of time than conventional milk?
The big issue is that organic milk is still pasteurized, which effectively removes all beneficial bacteria and enzymes. This is what makes it last so long.
The end result: the milk is still very difficult to break down in the digestive tract and get absorbed.
The best type of organic milk is raw. It is delicious and has the live enzymes so the body can digest it easily.
And if you can’t get organic raw milk, I would suggest mooooving away from cow products altogether and going for more digestible goat’s milk or cheese or from sheep.
Check out camel milk also as a newer milk alternative that is nutrient dense and easy to break down.
Please check out my free personal shopping list and guide to see the organic foods I eat to stay at my optimal weight and feel amazing.
“It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.”
Live well and love more,
Jill Gordon
CHHC, HHC, CNHP, Digestive Health Specialist
www.JilltheHealthCoach.com
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
