Today’s latest diet craze is “going organic.” The demand for grocery stores to carry organic produce has increased, so more and more stores offer special produce. But what does organic even mean? Is it just a scam by farmers to increase prices, or are there real health benefits behind these products?
Organic products are said to be healthier for us as well as our environment due to a decreased amount of chemical usage during production. The farmers do not use pesticides on their crop or harsh chemicals for the organic meats. Instead, farmers rotate crops to ward off insects, and let the animals roam free instead of keeping them confined in a tight space (often leading to diseases). They also feed the animals natural foods instead of chemically modified animal feed.
To see if a food item is one hundred percent organic it must have “USDA Organic” on the label. This means the product meets the standards of the United States Department of Agriculture. If the label has “no chemicals added” or “hormone free,” that does not necessarily mean it’s completely organic.
Many people choose to eat only organic foods for a variety of reasons. Anne Wolf, a registered dietician, says some claim organic products simply taste better; others say they don’t want to ingest any chemicals. Still others choose this diet and lifestyle because of what it stands for: they believe it helps themselves as well as the environment because of the farming process. Ultimately, Wolf concludes that people go organic as a preference and not exclusively for any health benefits.
Now the real question becomes, are organic products worth the cost? It is a fact that organic costs a great deal more than regular products because it takes a lot more to produce the items. More labor and manpower is involved to ensure crops grow properly without the use of pesticides. But if someone cares about the environment and their body and if it gives an individual “peace of mind” according to Wolf, the cost is worth it.
But what is someone supposed to do if they want to eat organic foods, yet cannot afford the lifestyle? One way to cut costs is by buying the generic brands of organic foods instead of the famous name brands. Another way is to buy organic meats and produce in bulk and freeze the leftovers.
Look for the “USDA Organic” stamp on food labels in the Stern and YU cafeterias. Soon you will realize that this hot topic is a lot closer to home than you may have thought. The benefit of eating organic is helping the environment, while using fewer chemicals. The disadvantage is that it does cost significantly more. Is it truly worth the extra few dollars? You decide!