Feeding our children

[JulieM]

This is a little bit OT, inspired by BlueMoose's thread about Marilu Henner's book. I was researching regular versus organic baby formula for my DD when I found this website: www.epa.gov/children/food/food-polluted.htm

We often hear and see the debate over natural meats and organic produce, but it's scary to see our government tell us that what they're approving is safe to eat, and at the same time they're telling us these same foods can harm our children.

Your thoughts?

[lorilei]

This, I suppose, is the reason why I support my local food co-op and buy organic produce and BHG-free dairy products...

I know some would say that "organics" aren't regulated strictly enough... but in my opinion (apart from growing all produce myself), it's the safest option available at this point. I don't even have children, but I have a real problem with willingly putting those chemicals in /my/ body.

Something to keep in mind when organic isn't available:

Mexican-grown produce tends to have lower concentrations of pesticides and chemicals derived from polluted soil. This is due to the fact that Mexico stopped using (or never used) the deadly carcinogenic pesticides that were allowed in the U.S. United States' soil is highly contaminated, and probably will be for years to come.

[JulieM]

Thanks lorilei for the tip about Mexican produce. I tend to automatically stay away from produce from South America and Mexico, fearing they may use pesticides that we have banned here. But maybe Mexico is safer than I thought.

I just read another article (2nd one in a couple of weeks) about organic produce that says organically grown foods contain a natural compound that is a natural insecticide! A recent study in England has revealed that this natural insecticide helps prevent cancer in humans! How interesting. As we search for the reason that cancer is so prevalent in our society, we continue to see a correlation to the foods we eat.

[kwormann]

We just started buying organic produce and canned goods...boy is it expensive! I just feel its worth it! It was the final step....we dont eat any processed foods anymore and we try to buy things w/o refined sugars and hydrogonated oils. This was our final step in TRYING to be as chemical free as possible!

[JulieM]

Originally posted by kwormann
We just started buying organic produce and canned goods...boy is it expensive! I just feel its worth it! It was the final step....we dont eat any processed foods anymore and we try to buy things w/o refined sugars and hydrogonated oils. This was our final step in TRYING to be as chemical free as possible!

Good for you, Kim! I know it's a difficult process, especially avoiding the refined sugars and hydrogenated oils. If you're like me, it goes against they way you've eaten all your life. Avoiding hydrogenated oils is so difficult, if you like the ocassional cracker, cookie, or almost any other ready-made food, beside cereal.

Ocassionally we like a cookie after dinner with fruit, and I've found that the Stella D'oro Almost Toast cookies are trans-fat free and are like an almond biscotti. As for crackers, we love the Frookie brand "Wheat & Rye". Have you tried them? They're organic and whole grain and yummy with tuna salad, cheese or hummus. :)

[kwormann]

Julie, It has been easier than I thought with WHole Foods around! I even found their Triscuits, only wheat and salt! They have a decent price on free range eggs, too (1.29) I also have found I prefer the olive oil chips they have there to the ones I grew up on!