We are all more conscious nowadays of what we put into our bodies – be it what we eat or drink and even what we mentally and emotionally absorb. Having a good lifestyle is important to us, and we strive to keep a balance between being active and being able to wind down.
One way to make positive changes to our lifestyle is to begin opting for organic food. But if you would really like to make consuming organic food a part of your life, then you should learn all you can about it – so you will also have a better idea of how it truly benefits you.
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The definition of organic food
We’ve all heard of organic food, but what does it really mean to us? By definition, organic food is the way products (especially vegetables and meat) are grown as well as processed. To be classified as organic, a product or type of food should be able to meet certain standards and requirements. For instance, organic produce must be planted and grown in soil that is safe and pesticide-free. It must also undergo no changes or modifications. A farmer or grower of organic produce should not be using pesticides which are synthetic or GMOs (bio-engineered genes), nor should they use fertilisers which are petroleum-based or fertilisers which come from sewage/sludge.
To be classified as organic, livestock (such as chickens, cows, and the like) must be able to go outside and have access to nature, and they must be fed organic feeds as well. Organic livestock should not be given growth hormones, antibiotics, or by-products from other animals.
Organic food is not just about keeping ourselves healthy by eating fresh, safe fruits and vegetables as well as meat of better quality. It is also about the proper raising of livestock and the proper planting and growth of produce which can also have a beneficial effect on our environment.
The advantages of eating organic food
There are many benefits related to eating organic food, and plenty of studies have shown organic foods’ many advantages to our health. For one, organic food is better for individuals who are suffering from allergic reactions to certain types of foods, preservatives, or chemicals, as they learn that their allergic symptoms go away (or, at the very least, lessen) when they consume only organic produce or meat.
Apart from this, organic food does not contain a great amount of pesticides. We all know that pesticides are composed of chemicals that include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Conventional food contains large amounts of pesticides, which are still present even when the food is washed.
Another advantage of eating organic food is its freshness. There is no doubt that organic food (especially that grown locally, such as the organic produce and meat available from Hungerford Farm Shop) is fresher than non-organic food, and as a result, tastes much better as well.
As you already know, organic food, particularly meat from organically-grown animals, is often free from growth hormones, and the animals are not given any antibiotics which may be harmful to them as they are being raised. The improper (and heavy) use of these antibiotics in the conventional production of meat can create bacteria strains which are resistant to antibiotics. As a result, a person who becomes sick from these bacteria strains may become less able to respond to treatment with antibiotics.
If you would like to make a change for the better in your health and lifestyle, try out the locally-sourced farm shop in Hungerford, which has a varied selection of organic meats, local cheeses, wine, produce, and more.