Yes, that is right, I want to pick your brain. I know so many of you out there have a wealth of knowledge you are just waiting to share. Since before getting pregnant, I have been thinking about ways I could help my family move to a better, healthier lifestyle. Specifically in the food department. Now I am not one to just jump on the latest and greatest fads so I am not going to run out and buy all Organic because some hippie says its the only way (no offence Hippie friends). And lets just face it, my son and hubby would not be very welcoming to tofu at dinner...they would think I've gone crazy (no offence to those of you who serve tofu). Really I am not trying to offend everyone today...Anyway---So what I am wanting to do is find a few simple ways that I can start slowly changing our eating habits. And without it costing us an arm and a leg. Honestly, when I walk into Whole Foods, I about flip out at how much things cost. For those of you who know me you already realize that I pay full price for nothing. So spending the extra $2 on organic Peanut butter or Organic milk causes me to question...is it really worth it??
So, this morning while eating my bowl of Grape Nuts with Organic Milk, I was trying to do some research online about if organic milk really was better than regular milk. There is so much information out there, and part of it says there is no difference and part of it says there is a big difference. Which is it!? I don't have the time right now to sit and research every little item. Then it dawned on me, many of you have either already done the research or have just learned from trial and error...so why not ask you guys!?
Are you ready?? Here is the question: If you were on a strict budget and could only afford a few healthy items at the grocery store, what one, two, or three items would you say 'I can't live without___.' or This item makes biggest difference in my families healthy eating....
Now remember, go easy on me, we aren't going to start growing Kele in our backyard (however I did just start a little herb garden) or eating fish for breakfast. But are Organic fruits and veggies really that much better? Please help!
NOTE: Please realize that the picture is just a joke. I do realize the obvious that soft drinks, processed foods, and sweets are not part of healthy living. I also know that 'whole grain' bread is suppose to be better than white, drinking water is good for you, and edamame is a good source of protein.
3 comments:
Hey Vim and Sarah, love the blog! It's so funny, because Amanda and I just had a long conversation on this very topic. Given the plethora of information out there, we decided to only rely on that of a valid medical institution... and after a few hours of research, here is what we found:
Organic food for adults -
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255
Organic baby foods -
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-baby-food/AN01424
Basically, there are no claims that organic food is healthier/better for you than regular food.
On a side note, Amanda worked for a pesticide company in North Carolina, and while foods may say "organic" it doesn't mean they didn't use pesticides. It just means they didn't use non-organic pesticides. There is a list of organically certified pesticides. Then the question beceomes, is a natural pesticide better than a manmade one? Are all naturally occuring chemicals good for us? ie arsenic, lead, etc..? This isn't necessarily a legitimate source by any means, but a nice read. Basically, don't believe everything you hear. There is a lot of money pouring into organic marketing and absolutely no claims that organic food is healthier or better for you... just organic.
http://gotheadlice.com/news/2005/pesticidemyth.htm
Let us know whatever else you find out, we are similar missions!
Yes we have pondered this as well and there is just no way to really know. But we do try to stay away from lots of processed foods and one resource that has been very helpful toward healthy eating is the book The Eat Clean Diet. There is a second book geared to families that has amazing recipies for kids and for doing it on a budget. These books are more realistic, not too extreme on the organic stuff and very user friendly. The theories just make sense. That's all I got :)
what an interesting post, sarah! and so great that, even with little vim in tow, you are contemplating questions like this. being in portland, where everyone is green and organic and opinionated about all of those things, i feel i am a little tainted. but, this is what i try to do.
1. i, too, cannot afford organic milk. it kills me to spend $5 when i can get it for $2.5, but, i do try to buy the milk that comes from the most local dairy. so, if you know of a brand that is carried like that, most likely it will be fresher and not have rBST in it.
2. i buy as many fruits and veggies as i can. and, they say with veggies/fruits that have skin you don't eat, buying non-organic is ok (bananas, avocadoes, oranges, etc). honestly, i say if you can buy more fruits and veggies instead of buying less and organic, go for more. something i will say for organic though; they tend to have a much better flavor.
3. if you can shop at a store that carries bulk items (ie, bulk flour, bulk rice, bulk beans, etc), you have an opportunity to REALLY save, as well as buy things that are not processed and are whole grain.
4. stay away from all high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated anything, MSG, and really long ingredient lists. those things mostly just break down as sugars and either make you hyper and then extremely sleepy, or to gain weight :)
5. and on that note, shoot for buying things that have a really short ingredient list and you know what most, if not all, the things are.
so, i don't know if any of that is helpful, but it is a great thing to process and see where you stand in the ever expanding world of organic and natural and green and on and on. good luck! don't give up. it is a good journey to take, and every little step you take towards healthful eating is a positive one.
abbe
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