Hospitals are turning to organic health foods in an attempt to cut back on fats and chemicals in meals for patients and staff alike, but do these benefits outweigh their costs?
Organic food is free from GMOs and exposure to pesticides, while also offering higher concentrations of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that may help protect against heart disease.
1. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are central components of a nutritious diet, so it comes as no surprise that most consumers who buy organic produce also purchase organic meat, dairy and eggs. While it would be ideal to source all produce and vegetables organically, that may not always be feasible or wise; to stay on track consult the Environmental Working Group’s “Clean Fifteen” list of non-organic items; instead focus on purchasing the organic versions of foods you typically eat most often.
Organic produce offers several advantages over its conventional counterparts, including lower pesticide exposure and higher antioxidant levels than conventional fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, research is lacking on whether these additional antioxidants offer any health advantages; additionally organic fruits and vegetables tend to be more expensive.
2. Meat
Organic food used to be limited to health food stores and farmers markets; now it can be found regularly at supermarket chains as well. Hospitals also now provide organic and local foods for both patients and staff alike.
Research indicates that organic fruits, vegetables and dairy products contain less pesticides and fertilizers as well as more essential nutrients than their conventional counterparts. However, no conclusive proof has yet emerged to demonstrate the overall health benefits associated with eating organic.
Stanford University researchers recently conducted a 2012 study that concluded the 15 fresh foods with low pesticide residue levels — known as “The Clean Fifteen” — do not differ significantly in nutritional value from nonorganic options. Furthermore, research into whether organic food can help people manage cancer or other chronic illnesses is still in its initial stages.
3. Dairy
Organic milk, yogurt and other dairy products have long been touted for their purported health benefits, yet few clinical trials have demonstrated significant improvements to human health outcomes from choosing these organic diets over conventional ones.
Animal studies indicate organic milk contains higher concentrations of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids than its conventional counterpart, potentially providing protection from heart disease risk.
Cooking at home is an economical and sustainable way to incorporate organic foods. Start your day right with Hemp Hearts Granola-topped yogurt parfait or gluten-free oatmeal featuring your organic milk of choice – or hospitals are even taking notice, teaming up with local organic distributors to offer healthy offerings in their cafeterias and commissaries.
4. Eggs
Organic eggs contain more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants than conventionally raised chicken eggs, as well as having more nutritional value overall.
GMO ingredients are another key advantage. Many scientists consider GMO crops to be harmful both to people and the environment, and should therefore be avoided as much as possible.
More high quality research must be conducted on this issue. Studies have revealed that people who consume organic diets tend to have lower levels of pesticide residue in their bodies than other individuals.
Consuming highly processed organic foods may not necessarily be in your best interest; these items still contain calories, added sugars and sodium content that could compromise your health. Incorporating an organic diet won’t necessarily reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria either; nevertheless there is ample evidence to back the benefits of an organic diet.
5. Seafood
Seafood refers to any edible marine organism from the ocean. This includes fish, shellfish and marine plants such as seaweed. Although seafood differs from meat in terms of source of protein content, it can still be included as part of a vegetarian diet plan.
An abundance of seafood in one’s diet provides an abundance of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals that support weight loss, heart health and brain development.
But when selecting sustainable seafood options such as clams and Arctic char, it is crucial that they are harvested or raised using environmentally friendly practices to minimize pressure on wild fish stocks that have been depleted due to overfishing, helping preserve healthy marine environments. Furthermore, choosing organic seafood will lower mercury and microplastic risks, while nonorganic varieties typically contain more pesticide residues compared with their nonorganic counterparts.
