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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is organic food always better for you?

    Related Topics
    Nutrition Organic Eating
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  • Angela Jackson

    Exercise Scientist

    I have qualifications as an Exercise Scientist, Herbalist and Health Coach, with over 10 years experience in the preventative health industry helping people to improve … View Profile

    In my opinion, yes. Organic food is produced without the use of chemicals. Our environment is full of chemicals, so any way we can reduce the toxic load on the body is beneficial for our long term health. You can imagine after 50-60 years of eating food containing chemicals that there may be some repercussion for that. That's why I run detox programs with groups, so that we can regularly eliminate the toxins that build up and reduce the load on our body. This is very important in modern life! I also find organic food tastes better too!

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    Chris Fonda

    Dietitian, Nutritionist, Sports Dietitian

    As an Accredited Sports Dietitian, APD and athlete (springboard diver), Chris has both professional and personal experience in sport at the sub-elite and elite level.Chris … View Profile

    Food Standards Australia New Zealand carefully monitor the level of chemicals (pesticides and fertilisers) in Australia so that food produced here are safe for consumption. It is a common misconception that organic foods are better for you than non-organic foods however the evidence just doesn't show this. Both organic and conventionally grown food contain all the nutrients needed for optimal health and are both grown as nature intended. Even organically produced food products do contain small amounts of natural pesticides and herbicides to keep the bugs and weeds away. Just because something is ‘natural’ doesn't always mean that it is better for you.

    There are many reasons why people choose to go organic:

    • Flavour and taste
    • Personal preference
    • Free from genetic modification (not routinely done in Australia)
    • Reduced chemicals (e.g. pesticides) in diet
    • Environmental benefits

    Then there is the cost, in my experience with clients many simply cannot afford to go organic. So I advise my clients/patients to simply wash their conventionally grown fruits and vegetables prior to food preparation and consumption which removes the chemicals.

    But hey, if it is one strategy that helps people to eat better and consume a wholesome diet I am all for it. But for expert advice, look no further than an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). You can find an APD at www.daa.asn.au 

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  • Angela Jackson

    Exercise Scientist

    I have qualifications as an Exercise Scientist, Herbalist and Health Coach, with over 10 years experience in the preventative health industry helping people to improve … View Profile

    Even if it has the same nutrient level (debatable) - isn't non GMO & reduced pesticides enough to say that it is better for you? 

    Whether you think that is enough of a benefit to warrant the additional expense is another debate entirely. But you need to ask yourself - why does it taste better? Eating food as Mother Nature intended is always good advice. I don't think simply washing the food removes all the damage though, surely the food absorbs toxins just like we do. 

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  • Amrina Panda

    HealthShare Member

    Consuming organic foods isn’t a wonder cure. However this decision brings a lot of change in your life making it healthier. Whether you want stay away from pesticides, love the flavor of organic foods or looking for healthy ingredients— there are many reasons to go for organic foods. Actually, we have got 10 best reasons to dive into organic foods today!

    1. Water streams are not polluted by chemical run-off of the farms.

    2. The amount of pesticide residue that you personally consume daily can be greatly reduced. The chemical fertilizers taken by pregnant women may lead to health issues and birth defects for the newborn.

    3. Chemical fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide linked health hazards to farm workers and anyone living nearby the farming area can be eliminated.

    4. Using buffer crops, the biodiversity can be improved, and by eliminating harming or killing insects as well as other wildlife that is not a risk to crops.

    5. Reduced dependence on chemical as well as agri-development organizations which is good for farmers.

    6. You can get rid of GMO or genetically modified foods or adulterated foods.

    7. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides cause huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

    8. Usually, organic dairy cows are not vaccinated with hormones for milk-boosting like recombinant bovine somatotrophin (rBST) that may upturn insulin levels in human beings.

    9. Organic farming is good for the soil.

    10. Organic foods are tasty. It’s simply my modest opinion, but I’ve observed a difference in the flavor of peaches, strawberries, grapes as well as leafy greens.

    Hope these 10 reasons are good enough to convince you. If you are already using organic foods, share your experiences.

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