Organic foods can be easy to overlook in the grocery store, when their non-organic counterparts are sometimes half the price. But can you afford to eat non-organic? Here are the top 5 reasons why I choose to eat organic:
Pesticides have been shown to negatively impact hormones. If you feel you are suffering from hormone dysregulation, non-organic foods may be contributing.
Pesticides have also been linked to developing cancer. As cancer rates continue to rise in this country, choosing better foods is a powerful tool for prevention.
Organic foods are higher in antioxidants and certain vitamins. This means that bite-for-bite, organic foods provide your body with more necessary nutrients!
Organic foods have been shown to promote a healthier gut microbiome. Scientists are only just discovering the importance of the microbiome, but data illustrates that gut dysbiosis has been linked to a myriad of conditions including: weight gain, fatigue, body pains, brain-fog, depression and mental illness, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, allergic and dermatologic concerns, hormonal imbalance, and (naturally) gut complaints. In other words, the gut microbiome is important for almost everything!
Organic foods are better for the environment. As pesticides and non-organic soil amendments are washed off of farmland by rains, all plants and animals downstream are negatively affected. The biodiversity of the planet relies on humans making ethical choices with our food production.
Organic foods are foods that are not grown with pesticides, and do not have chemical additive (such a coloring or preservatives). When on a budget, however, sometimes it can be hard to decide which products are safer to splurge on, and which are safer to skimp on. The Environmental Working Group produces two excellent guides to help you choose: the "Dirty Dozen" and the "Clean Fifteen":
Functional Medicine is the practice of preventing and uncovering the underlying causes disease, and diet therapy is a pillar of this practice. By your daily choices, you are either promoting wellness, or promoting illness. Functional Medicine focuses on your ability to heal yourself, by taking the time to listen, investigate, educate, and provide you with a roadmap to your healthiest self.
If you would are interested in exploring a therapeutic relationship with Jessica Kolahi in her Functional Medicine practice, and curious about what dietary choices can help you heal, book a discovery call today!
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