Why I think Dr. Oz is misinformed on organic food being a good choice for every budget
Please read the article I have linked to this post and then read my post. Enjoy! I have to say, Dr Oz, just lost all of my respect. Yes it's important for people who can't afford to go organic to know that they can still make healthier choices, but the foods he chose are some of the most important to organic on. Industrial feedlot meat is raised in foul living conditions, fed so diet of genetically modified organisms "GMOs", and pumped full of Antibiotics which is using 80% of the antibiotics used in America leading to "super bugs" like MRSA and others not susceptible to antibiotics. Conventional Milk and dairy are also raised in this manner and pose the same health and humanitarian hazards. Choosing organic eggs may cost a few dollars more, but the chickens are raised in a mandated humane environment without the use of battery cages which severely restrict a hens movement and quality of life giving each bird no more room than a piece of paper to move around in with no outside access. Industrial Oils are another big problem, the chemicals used to extract the seed oils are toxic and organic extra virgin olive oil should only be used in low temperature cooking below 325 degrees it has a low smoke point and cannot tolerate high best. A good alternative to olive oil is virgin unrefined coconut oil. It has a high smoke point and isn't processed with chemicals. It's perfect for for roasting veggies in the oven or for quick stir fry's on the stove top, and can work as a butter substitute in baking and for vegans and vegetarians, plus it's super healthy and high in short chain fatty acids which we all need more of. Organic peanut butter is two ingredients. Peanuts and salt. Conventional peanut butter is usually mixed with trans fats and added sugar, both which contribute to obesity and diabetes. And as far as chocolate goes, Hersheys is about the worst choice out there. Using child labor and inferior ingredients and lots of added ingredients that are unnecessary. The best choice for chocolate is dark 73% organic FAIR TRADE. This is the only way you know that your actually supporting farmers and not using unethical labor practices. And getting the good benefits chocolate has to offer like antioxidants without a ton of added sugar. These are the reasons why I think DR Oz is wrong. Even people living on a very low income can make better healthier choices by buying organic on these items and the "dirty dozen" which are the top 12 fruits and veggies with the highest content of pesticide residue. This list is put out by the Environmental Working Group and can be fouls by googling "EWR dirty dozen". By choosing organic on the items that really are important and going conventional on everything else it is possible to feed a family on a tight budget. Especially now that places like Walmart and Aldi offer some organic items. Trader Joes is also a great affordable place to shop for staples and all of their store brand products are GMO free and cost less than name brands at the Jewel or other grocery stores. I think it's really important that all people have access to good nutrition and Eco friendly food. The farmers market that Dr. Oz says is only for the 1 percent is really for everyone. By buying foods in season from local farmers. You're getting top-quality ingredients at a lower cost because you're cutting out the middleman. Plus often times these farmers use organic growing processes and are not USDA certified due to the cost but you can get the same organic quality produce at a lower price. You can stock up on what's in season and freeze or can it and have it in the off-season and save yourself money that way too. Many farmers market even accept food stamps. Another way to save is to but frozen organic produce if the fresh produce is out of your budget. Frozen food is packed at the time of picking which preserves vital nutrients, making it a good healthy choice that is more economical. Also, stock up when things are on sale, almost all meat and produce can be frozen and used at a later date. With all of the resources out there for healthy food it's definitely possible for a family on a tight budget to still make healthy, eco friendly choices, that benefit not only themselves, but the world as a whole. The only way that we are going to continue on as a human race is to make changes in the way that we raise our food and buy our food. Every step that each family takes in the right direction also reduces risk of obesity , diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases caused by eating the Standard American Diet, but that's a whole other post. Make the best choices for your family, be an informed consumer. Check out sites like The Environmental working Group, "EWG.org", the organic consumers association "organic consumers.org", both sites offer a ton of consumer education regarding organically and food safety. Local Harvest "local harvest.org" is a great way to your local farmers markets. I hope this information helps you make the best choices for you and your family and your world.
