Since it’s been a bit quiet here for the past couple of weeks, I thought I’d post an interesting Consumer Reports article about when it makes sense to buy organic food.
Sometime during the last summer I started making changes in the things that I eat and gradually I’ve been eating more and more organic foods. Not that I’m anywhere close to even eating organic more than 50% of the time, but in general I now attempt to avoid processed & refined foods, drink organic juice, avoid anything which has corn syrup in it, etc. Generally speaking if it’s not fresh or has things like dyes, colors, sweeteners other than real sugar, preservatives, etc, I try to not consume it.
With these and some other minor changes (such as only eating glycose friendly carbs) I’ve surprisingly lost about 20 lbs since the Summer without even trying, and continue to slowly lose weight. The best part about the change in what I eat is that I’m probably eating better than ever and still enjoy terrible things like soda (though I prefer natural cherry and vanilla soda), the occasional bit of chocolate, coffee, etc, and am still managing to shed weight. As long as I stick to the way I’ve been eating for the last 6 months or so, I’m pretty certain this will finally be the magic bullet to make my weight loss much more permanent rather than some crazy fad diet.
It’s also fun to find-out what things taste much better as organic products. Among my favorite discoveries– dairy products, pretzels, soda, fruit juice (particularly apple juice), and beef. A couple of things which I’ve not liked– organic peanut butter, and the Annie’s organic salad dressings.
Being that I get more liberal with age and grew-up in a farming community, I can certainly also appreciate that organic farms also practice sustainable farming practices and keep the small mom & pop farmers in business with much less land than traditional farms.
Brandon,
I wholeheartedly agree. I think over half of the meat, milk, eggs, veg and juice that we buy is now organic, with quite a few other organic ingredients creeping in as well. I appreciate both the taste and philosophy of organic food (why would anyone want it any other way?). All that ‘factory produced’, shiny, blemish-free fruit that tastes of nothing. Yuck
Sadly, here in the UK being organic typically adds significantly to the price, but I can think of few better things to invest in than one’s food and health. All the major supermarkets here are continually expanding their organic ranges and hopefully prices will fall as the industry gradually adjusts.
We have a six month old son and I’m so pleased that (unavoidable environmental sources aside) he’s had pretty much a chemical and additive free upbringing so far.
Organic food appreciators of the world unite
Brandon,
i’m on the organic train as well. my fav recent discovery is granola ceral (pumpkin, apricot and vanilla flavors are the best) with soy milk. i was blowing $3 every morning on an Einstein bagel- this stuff is cheaper, quicker and better for you and tastes great.
sean
*picks up the red phone*
Mayor? It looks like we’ve lost Brandon to mother earth. … Yes, he’s gone hippy. May god have mercy on his soul.
I miss Boulder food in that sense. Out here in Hawaii there is not much fresh produce let alone organic. My diet has fallen to the way of fast food and anything that can be cooked in a microwave. Great job on the weight, I’ve dropped 50 lbs since we first met! Hovering about 10-15 pounds over my target weight right now.
My wife turned me on to organic foods (and healthier eating in general) about two years ago. There are still some organic things I don’t care for (soy milk, organic peanut butter) but for the most part I feel a lot healthier than I used to.
If you like breakfast cereal check out the organic products from Kashi. I like the Autumn Wheat and Cinnamon Harvest a lot, they taste great, give me energy and don’t leave me starving a few hours later.
You look damn good too, B; svelte and trim. Just don’t grow your hair out and play the bongos to Widespread Panic songs.