Organic Foods: An Important Part of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Organic foods are a crucial part of an anti-inflammatory diet and living a healthy, clean lifestyle. Decades ago organic food was the norm and the standard. Now we have to seek out organic food to avoid the toxic chemicals used in conventional farming practices, throughout our environment, and all over our food.

My hope is to bring more awareness to the amount of harmful chemicals that are on, and in our conventionally grown and processed foods. I also hope to help you make informed decisions around the foods you and your family eat.

Why are organic foods so important to our health?

Conventionally (non-organic) grown, raised, and processed foods are heavily saturated with pesticides, fungicides, glyphosate, antibiotics, and many other chemicals that are wreaking havoc on our health! Back in 2004, the EWG did studies testing the umbilical cord blood of newborns and found over 200 chemicals present in the blood tested. This shows just how prevalent these toxins have become in our foods, environment, and bodies.

It is no wonder we have such an epidemic of chronic illness here in the U.S. The chemicals being sprayed on our foods are a large contributor of inflammation in the body. Many of these chemicals are hormone-disruptors, neurotoxins, as well as being linked to cancer and other health issues.

Years ago when I began an anti-inflammatory diet and clean living, I also made the decision to consume organic products as much as possible. This was after extensive research into the truly appalling chemicals that our foods are being exposed to. These are chemicals that I do not want in, on, or around my body!

The information I provide in this resource is important to keep in mind when making decisions around your food choices but also remember to give yourself grace. Make small or big changes that are reasonable and practical for you and your family without creating added stress.

Benefits of Organic Foods:

The biggest benefit to consuming organic foods is that you are lowering your body’s exposure to harmful chemicals. This will significantly impact your health in a positive way!

Another benefit to organic foods, specifically produce, is that they are higher in nutrients, essential vitamins, and minerals. Pesticides wipe out the beneficial living organisms in the soil. This also decreases the nutrients in the soil. The nutrients in our foods come from the soil in which they are grown.

It’s no surprise that there is a correlation between the amount of chemicals in our soil and the rise in nutrient deficiencies. This has lead many of us to need synthetic supplements to get many of the nutrients that should come from our food.

Maybe this is just me, but I think that organic fresh produce and organic pasture-raised meats taste way better!

Organic vs. Non-Organic Meat & Dairy Products:

This is a large topic and I am only touching the surface of it here. Conventionally raised animals are typically eating a very unhealthy & unnatural diet, saturated with pesticides, void of nutrients, given lots of antibiotics, and oftentimes washed in bleach. This is all passed onto us when we eat these animals!

In the near future, I will create another resource that goes more in depth on the farming practices, labeling, and greenwashing terms used in our meat and dairy industry. For now, I would mainly focus on buying animal products with a certified organic label or from a local organic farmer or rancher.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Produce:

An organic certification on produce means it is non-GMO and has minimal exposure to pesticides. Some pesticides derived from natural sources are allowed under an organic certification. These include things like neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and other less harmful, natural chemicals.

Many crops are being genetically modified to withstand and survive the chemicals being sprayed on them during the growing season. It doesn’t just end there, conventionally grown foods are being sprayed again right before harvest. Then oftentimes covered in even more chemicals like Apeel and ProduceMaxx.

Unfortunately, Not all Organic Foods are Free of Chemicals:

Have you seen the mist sprayers in the produce section of many large chain grocery stores? More often than not those sprayers are a mix of water, pesticides, and other chemical solutions like ProduceMaxx to disinfect and extend the shelf life of produce. Ask questions at your local store to see what they use in their sprayers. Here’s a resource on the grocery store mist sprayers.

I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want or need a coating placed on my produce. I want real fresh food that is full of nutrients and healthy benefits. It’s unfortunate that we have to work so hard to access truly organic foods. I recommend organic farmers markets when possible and if available in your area, find a grocery store that doesn’t add things like ProduceMaxx and Apeel to their produce.

Organic Vs. Non-Organic Packaged Foods:

Packaged and processed foods are full of harmful ingredients and toxic chemicals. It is so important to read ingredient labels and if you’re unsure of what an ingredient is, I would put it back on the shelf. It’s just crazy to me that some of these items are even allowed to be sold and marketed as ‘food’!

Due to the legal loophole under GRAS, companies are allowed to declare their own chemicals and ingredients as safe. This has lead to so much corrupt and tainted research on many of these harmful ingredients. Here is an EWG video on food additives:

An organic label on packaged foods is much more regulated. Around 2000 synthetic chemicals are allowed in conventional packaged foods. Only 40 synthetic substances can be used in packaged food that is certified organic. The synthetic ingredients allowed under an organic label also have had to undergo third party testing and studies. Read more about it here.

The cost of buying Organic Foods:

It is more expensive on the front end to buy organic foods but it can save in medical expenses and health challenges down the road. I believe our health and quality of life is worth the investment.

If you are unable to budget buying all organic foods, there are helpful resources like the EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen produce list. This list will prioritize which produce has the largest amount of chemicals present, which in turn can help us choose the produce that is most important to opt for organic.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products that I regularly use and love!}

Washing and Storing Organic Produce:

We use a homemade vinegar and filtered water produce wash. Vinegar can reduce mold and parasites, it is also antibacterial which makes it great for using in a produce wash. We use 1 part organic raw apple cider vinegar to 4 parts filtered water. You can do this in a large bowl or your sink. Soak your produce in the vinegar and water mixture for a few minutes. Then use a gentle brush like my favorite one here or your hands to gently scrub your produce. Make sure to rinse your produce under cold water and let dry before storing.

Organic produce can have a shorter shelf life. How you store your produce can impact its freshness. Pay attention to how the produce is stored at the store (refrigerated section, room temperature, etc..). Try to copy that storage method.

We love to store our leafy greens, herbs, and many other vegetables in damp veggie bags. We have found that storing them this way significantly improves and lengthens their freshness! Here are my favorite produce bags, we bought them several years ago and they have been worth the investment!

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