Are Organic Foods "Better"?

Organic or Not?  That is the question of the decade. If you personally buy organic answer this question, why? Is it because organic foods are "better nutritionally" for you OR do you buy them to reduce the possibility of pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria on your food? 

If you eat organic foods because they are "better nutritionally" then you are wasting your money!  "A study released in September in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that organic products have no significant nutritional advantage over conventional foods, even though consumers often pay more than them." This conclusion followed the review of over 200 studies published from 1960-2011. 

Long term studies are yet to be done or completed showing the health benefits of eating a primarily organic diet to reduce the level of pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  However, one thing seems clearer and that is the fact that spending more money for nutrition is not needed.  Conventionally grown foods produce the same nutritional value as organically grown foods. 

 

If you are concerned with pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, you can spend your money wisely by purchasing organic versions of the highly contaminated fruits and vegetables in this "dirty dozen" list. These 12 fruits and vegetables have the highest pesticide residues of the all fruits and vegetables:

 

Apples

Celery

Strawberries

Peaches

Nectarines (imported)

Spinach

Grapes

Sweet Bell Peppers

Potatoes

Blueberries

Lettuce

Kale/Collard Greens

Snacking=25% of Calories Consumed in Americans

Dr. Richard Mattes of Purdue University has long been researching food and nutrition.  His research on snacking has found that Americans have implemented a "4th Meal" making up over 500 calories extra each day.  Half of those snacking calories are coming from sugary beverages such as soda, juice, or energy drinks.  To make sure you are snacking on the right stuff, Nancy Auestad, Ph.D., of the Dairy Research Institute recommends Americans eating "good tasting snacks that provide dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium and potassium can help consumers meet recommended intakes."

For all the details and the full article CLICK HERE.

        

Obesity & Late Night Eating

A new study will soon be published that looks at the links between late night eating and obesity. In this study, two sets of mice were given the same amount of daily calories, yet one set was given the bulk of their calories WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SLEEPING. The results? The mice given foods while they should have been sleeping had a 48% increase in body weight! Definite conclusions cannot be made, of course, until human studies have been tallied.

And yet, does it make you think about your eating routines? Sleep and weight have been linked to obesity in the past. We've been working on all of these issues in Practice and would love to have you join us!

Here is the article on the study in the New York Times.

Have a well week,