Revolution GrayEating habits are such an important factor in a healthy, natural lifestyle.
Redirecting your grocery shopping trips to an organic store that will provide you with healthy alternatives, tips, and valuable information rather than risk being tempted with all the junk food littering the aisles of the nearest supermarket is one of the first steps on the road to a healthier lifestyle. Although going the organic route is known for being a bit more expensive, in the end your good health is definitely worth the possible increase in spending. The debate on the necessity of buying organic foods has been ongoing, but any way you look at it, the less chemical contamination the better, so here is a short list of foods that are highly recommended to pick up at a natural/organic grocery store.
Meat
The reasons for buying organic meat may seem obvious, but not everyone fully understands what may be transferred from their favorite barnyard animal straight into their own body. There have been strict regulations put into place regarding hormone and antibiotic doses given to livestock and poultry, but your best bet still lies in the certified organic label, which cuts out the chemicals altogether.
Fruit
Strawberries, peaches, grapes, apples, and any other of your favorite fruits with skin have the potential of being highly laden with pesticides that don’t just wash off. Peeling the skin off isn’t an option for all these fruits, and for those you can manage to peel, you’ll be taking the nutritional value off with it.
Popcorn
Staying away from your traditional microwave popcorn can help reduce health problems in the future. The bag’s linings have been found to have perfluorooctanoic acid, which is a chemical that may be linked to cancer and also has harmful effects on the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. Sticking to an air-popper or the stovetop would be your best bet.
Milk
Just like with meat, the cows producing milk and other dairy products you bring into your home may be pumped full of hormones and antibiotics. The organic classification means these dairies have followed natural procedures, and you should be safe from any of the resulting effects of non-organic products.
Greens
Veggies sound as healthy as you can get, but don’t be duped into thinking that just because it’s green it’s doing your body good. Celery, spinach, lettuce, and cucumbers are enjoyed by many, including insects. Spraying the leafy plants with pesticides to prevent insect infestations is, in turn, working to poison the humans eating them. The natural approach to getting rid of critters used by organic growers include mesh nets, nontoxic repellents, and traps.
Coffee
Many coffee plantations have turned to unnatural planting and growing methods, causing deforestation, and also heavily chemically treat the plants to increase productivity, which has harmed the surrounding soil and animals. Buying only organic coffee ensures that you are doing your part to discourage the environmental damage and eliminating any health risks associated with coffee made from artificial trees.
Eating organic is a very important step in any woman’s personal path to a healthier lifestyle. I hope that these tips helped to expand your knowledge as you continue to make good choices for your body, mind, and spirit. Happy eating, lovely ladies!
Tiffany Olson is a passionate blogger from Redding, CA. She is a whole foods enthusiast who supports her local Saturday farmers market as well as her local natural grocery store in Redding.