Organic foods--are they worth the increased cost?

Organic foods—are they worth the increased cost?  Good question.  I think each family must make their own decision on that issue.  According to Helpguide.org, fruits and vegetables (especially those you cannot peel) carry the highest risk of pesticide levels. Their top 12 (potentially) pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables include lettuce, kale, celery, apples, bell peppers, nectarines, peaches, pears, strawberries, cherries, grapes, and carrots.  They suggest we consider buying organic on these fruits and vegetables.  More information about this topic at their website http://www.helpguide.org/life/organic_foods_pesticides_gmo.htm

Organic foods--are they healthier for us?

Organic foods—are they healthier for us?  Researchers at Stanford University looked at 237 research papers and concluded there’s “little evidence of health benefits from organic foods.”  They found little differences in vitamin content when comparing organic and conventional foods. When they looked at organic vs. conventional milk, they found no difference in protein content but they reported there was some evidence that organic milk may have more omega-3 fatty acids than conventional milk. 

When the researchers looked at pesticide levels, they found that organic foods had a 30% lower level of pesticides. They found that the pesticide levels in all the foods were within a safe range.  When the researchers considered children consumers, they found those children eating organic foods had lower levels of pesticide in their urine.  At this point, no one knows if that’s a significant health concern or not. 

http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2012/september/organic.html

Organic foods

Organic foods

I’ve been thinking about organic foods recently.  What are they?  “Organic” is used to define how food is grown and processed.  If you think “organic” means less chemicals and antibiotics are used, you are correct.  According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), there’s a specific standard farmers and processors must meet to label food “organic”.  The “USDA Organic” seal is applied to 95% or higher organic products.

·       Organic means  the fertilizers used on plants are natural (manure and compost) instead of chemical

·       Organic means pesticides come from natural sources instead of synthetic pesticides

·       Organic means herbicides (weed killing) is done by environmentally friendly methods such as hand weeding, using mulch, rotating crops and environmentally approved compounds instead of synthetic herbicides

·       Animals are fed organic food and allowed to be outside instead of using antibiotics, growth hormones and medicines to keep them healthy and growing.

I’ve explained how organic foods differ from conventional food.  If you want more information about organic foods, check out the Mayo Clinic information at  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255   The USDA website gives information about organic foods at http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/food-labeling/organic-foods

Safe travel while on vacation

It’s summertime

You’ve planned for months (maybe years), dreamed of your overseas destination and made reservations. You want to enjoy your family time together.  “Don’t wreck your vacation” from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shares some tips to minimize your risk of a car crash while on vacation in a foreign country.  Almost half of the medical evacuations from foreign countries to the US result from a car crash.  Some of these tips involve things we routinely do at home like wear seatbelts and use car seats for small children.   Here’s some tips you may not be thinking about.

·       Know the local traffic laws before driving in a foreign country—or better yet, use taxi drivers for transportation

·       Make sure you use marked taxis and use the seat belts.

·       Don’t ride motorcycles or scooters.  If you must ride one, wear a helmet.

·       Don’t drink and drive.

·       Avoid overcrowded or top-heavy buses or vans.

·       Be alert when crossing the street, especially if people drive on the left side of the road.   

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/InternationalRoadSafety/

In the News--Americans drinking less sugary drinks

In the News:  Americans drinking less sugar-sweetened beverages

During the time-period of 1999 to 2010, Americans lowered their calorie intake from sweetened beverages by 68 calories per day for US kids ages 2-19.  Adults lowered their sugared beverage intake by 45 calories per day.  The researchers looked at over 22,000 kids and 29,000 adults.  The researchers found that the decreased sugar drinks were sodas and fruit drinks.  The sports drink/energy drink calorie consumption did not change.  So, we are drinking less soda and fruit drinks as a population. That sounds like a step in the right direction, doesn't it?