Switching to Organic Foods

Organic food has increased about 20 percent since 1997 in all major supermarkets. They sell everything from cereals, to dairy products, to meat, to vegetables and fruits. Organic foods are guaranteed by the USDA to be free of toxic pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, and modified organisms. Environmentally, organic farms are also better since they use less energy.

There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that eating organic foods is better than consuming regularly grown and produced foods. However, it does reduce the intake of potentially harmful chemicals. This fact alone impels many families' decision to make the change.

If you have been thinking about switching to organic foods, here are several things you should take into consideration.

Reading the label

Learning to read foods labels is the most important thing. Keep in mind that not all "100% natural" meant organic.

--100 percent organic--means containing only organically produced ingredients.

--Cage-free--means animals are not kept in cages, and the USDA has no regulation on what the animals are fed or time spend outside.

--Farm fish--means fish raised in pen, and the USDA has no organic standards for seafood.

--Free range--means the animals spend at least half of their lives outside and is regulated by the USDA.

--Grass-fed--means farmers' food sources is grass, and not regulated by USDA.

--Made with organic ingredients--means having at least 70 percent of organic ingredients.

--Natural--means no artificial ingredients, or added colors.

--Organic--has at least 95% organic ingredient.

Making the switch

It is best to make the switch to organic foods moderately, and it also helps you keeping track of your favorite ones. If you have children in the house, this schedule will make it easier for them to adjust.

--Week 1--start with dairy products such as milk, cheese, and egg.

--Week 2--fruits, and vegetables.

--Week 3--meat, chicken, fish, and nuts.

--Week 4--pasta, rice, and bread.

--Week 5--beverages.

The Dirty Dozen

Pesticide is reduced by 90 percent by eating these organic varieties, known as the "dirty dozen".

--Apples

--Cherries

--Nectarines

--Peaches

--Pears

--Strawberries

--Grapes

--Red raspberries

--Celery

--Bell peppers

--Potatoes

--Spinach

Where to find organic foods

There are several sites online where you can look for organic foods. You can find the list under the "Resources" section.

Switching to organic foods take times, persistent, and commitment. Also, check out your local health food stores, farm stands, and supermarkets. The cost for organic food is a bit higher than conventionally grown and produced foods, but they reduced the potentially harmful chemicals. Keeping your family's diet natural and free of unhealthy ingredients is worth the switch.