Food
Nutritious food choices impact health and vitality, from organic vs GMO options to grass-fed meats. Learn proper selection of fats, proteins and carbs.
Last updated
Nutritious food choices impact health and vitality, from organic vs GMO options to grass-fed meats. Learn proper selection of fats, proteins and carbs.
Last updated
When it comes to overall health and well-being, nothing is more important than the foods we choose to put into our bodies. Food selection is essential for maintaining energy levels and vitality. A balanced diet should include healthy fats, high-quality proteins, and nutrient-rich carbohydrates. To improve digestion and prevent unwanted weight gain, it is helpful to avoid certain foods like processed vegetable oils and hard-to-digest grains.
Understanding the differences between organic, genetically modified (GMO), and non-organic foods can help you make better choices for your health and the environment. Additionally, grass-fed meats are generally more nutritious and contain fewer unwanted chemicals compared to grain-fed meats. By making informed decisions about your food choices, you can support both your personal health and environmental sustainability.
Certain food groups are more supportive of efficient energy production and metabolic health than others. These include:
Fat sources: Coconut, olive and avocado oil, butter, animal fat, and fats from dairy.
Protein sources: High-nutrient-dense seafood, pasture-raised ruminant animal meat, leaner cuts of chicken and pork, and dairy (if tolerated).
Carbohydrate sources: Whole ripe fruits, honey, maple syrup, root vegetables, cooked leafy green and cruciferous vegetables, waxy potatoes, sweet potatoes, and white rice.
Avoiding foods high in polyunsaturated fats (like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds) as well as hard-to-digest foods such as whole grains, beans, and legumes, will support digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and help minimize unnecessary weight gain.
There will be factors that are unique to each individual. Remember to adjust slowly and experiment to understand which foods are best for you.
The differences between organic, GMO, and non-organic foods are significant and can impact your health and the environment:
Organic:
Definition: Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.
Standards: Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation.
Certification: Before a product can be labeled "organic," a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to ensure compliance with the countries organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food must also be certified.
GMO (Genetically Modified Organism):
Definition: GMOs are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This often involves the introduction of genes from other species to achieve desired traits such as pest resistance or increased crop yield.
Regulation: In most of the world, GMO farming is allowed, and there is no law requiring food labels to state whether or not they contain GMO ingredients. However, foods labeled Non-GMO or organic cannot contain any GMO ingredients.
Concerns: Consuming GMOs is considered unproven and risky, and a few countries have outlawed GMO farming or require clear labeling of GMO foods.
Non-Organic:
Definition: Non-organic food is produced using conventional farming methods, which may include the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, and growth hormones.
Nutritional Value: Non-organic foods may have diminished nutritional value compared to organic foods due to the use of synthetic chemicals and premature picking for transportation.
Health and Environmental Impact: Non-organic farming practices can lead to pesticide residues in food, potential health risks from antibiotics and hormones, and environmental concerns such as soil degradation and water contamination.
Choosing grass-fed over grain-fed animals can have one of the most significant impacts on health and is important for several reasons:
Nutrient Content: Grass-fed meat has significantly higher levels of essential nutrients compared to grain-fed meat. For example, grass-fed meat contains more vitamin E, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Grain-fed meat, on the other hand, has only one-quarter as much vitamin E, one-eighth as much beta-carotene, and one-third as many omega-3 fatty acids.
Fat Composition: The fat content in grass-fed meat is healthier. Grass-fed animals produce more anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and less pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. This balance is important for human health, as most people consume too many omega-6s without balancing omega-3s.
CLA Content: Grass-fed meat is richer in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fat that has been shown to have anticancer properties and can help reduce fat accumulation, particularly around the abdomen.
Absence of Unwanted Chemicals: Grass-fed animals are less likely to be treated with hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals that are commonly used in grain-fed, factory-farmed animals.
Natural Diet: Grass is the natural diet for ruminant animals like cows and sheep. Feeding them grain is not their natural diet and can lead to a loss of nutrients in the meat and milk they produce.
Health Benefits: Consuming grass-fed meat can help prevent diseases, improve brain function, and support weight loss due to its higher content of healthy fats and nutrients.
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