Organic food has seeped into our lives. In a big city such as Delhi, I often spot many a high end stores, selling organically grown vegetables, fruits, pulses, cereals and much more. The tag go-organic seems to be the new mantra.
But is this just a fad, or are there some really good health benefits attached to it? This weekend I spent my time in a nearby hi-end grocery store that stocked up a range of organic products. When I stood there thinking whether organic food should be the order of my day, I was lucky to chat up with the owner of the store, who helped me understand what exactly is organic food, and the degree of benefit it actually provides to the consumer.
What exactly is Organic Food?
To put it in the simplest of words, organic food refers to crops that are grown without the use of harmful pesticides, fertilizers, and other synthetic materials. Even the animals under organic farming are fed with organic supply without the use of any synthetic growth hormones or antibiotics.
What you get out of it?
- Zero chemicals in the food you eat. They are safe from poisonous pesticides that have the potential to cause serious health issues.
- Eco friendly stuff is what you get. The methodology of farming does good to the soil and environment. It does not go by the principle of increasing crop size, thus protecting the soil. It conserves water too! So yes, by consuming organic food, in a way you are doing your bit to preserve our environment.
- Get your power punch in nutrition. Vital minerals from the soil are passed on to the produce. And what more they are ready and intact in the stuff you consume.
- Taste- I personally did find the vegetables to taste much better. And the apples were sweeter too!
- Let’s get to the fat. I came to know that organic products have zero hydrogenate fat. So that’s a step towards protecting your heart.
What is Not Good?
- Gosh the price! I ended up paying 2-3 times more!! This is due to the overhead costs involved in organic farming. Going totally organic would cost you quite a bomb!
- Food rots at a faster rate. Most products come with a low shelf life. So you got to consume them pretty soon.
- Not easily available. Except for a few products most of the produce is restricted to “up-ish” hi-end stores and retailers. So for me it is a big pain to get to these specific stores to buy my weekly requirement, plus the disadvantage of the shelf life.
- E-Coli are in organic too. E- Coli are the bacteria found in intestinal tract of animals are a threat to human health. It is said that even the organic food is not safe from the contamination caused by it.
So what do you think? Is it worth going all organic or stay put with the tried and tested food available with the local vendors?
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Categories: Body and Mind
Tags: #ATOZCHALLENGE 2016, Oraganic Food
Hmm, your post makes me wonder Ramya! I have seen a lot of foodgrains and a few vegetables and fruits at our high-end superstore but never bought them….simply considering the high cost! However, I think we must be ready to pay that if we want real nutrition and not harm from what we eat! I do wish some efforts would be taken to reduce the overhead costs and make these a tad less expensive.
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
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Not sure if it is really worth going to organic foods considering the price and exclusiveness. I try to buy seasonal foods and vegetables. That is a better bet..
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I eat a mix of organic and non-organic. The cost is prohibitive, as you point out. But in the United States, we also have to be careful of certain products (like soy) that are GMO. If you want to avoid these in our country, you must buy organic. Also, I have found that certain fruits, such as strawberries, actually last longer if they are organic. (it could be, though, simply a matter of them being fresher or more local.) There are lists online of the foods where you get the most benefit by buying organic.
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I buy a mix of both organic and non-organic vegetables. Yes the price sometimes makes me think too. I have started working on my herb and vegetable garden. Hope I get to see some result
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
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As a working homemaker, I need to find a balance and I try to do that. For example, I haven’t gone 100% organic but there are a few things that I have been consuming which is free of pesticides. To name them – wheat atta and honey. For veggies, I prefer local vendor over departmental stores. This way I ensure I help a poor fellow with a caveat that I can change and go to folks whose cart changes daily so maybe the shelf life is lesser and stock is fresh.Apart from organic, I try to make things that could be free of chemicals. Like make your own ginger garlic paste or try your own roasted coriander and garam masala.
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I think we are making a big song and dance about nothing. I believe this is just a fad and I won’t spend money on something like this. We grow rice without any fertiliser and know that it has to be consumed really fast because it doesn’t have any keeping qualities. So you win some and lose some
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