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Knowing what to eat can be truly confusing because it depends on who you listen to and which diet camp they’re in. But there’s one thing everyone can agree on: Food should be whole and as unprocessed as possible.
In Beverly Hills, California, popular primary care physician Sasan Massachi, MD, believes that you are what you eat. And when it comes to nutrition and weight loss, he recommends you take that a step further and choose organic foods whenever they’re available.
When food earns the organic designation, it means it was grown and processed in a specific way. Surprisingly, organic food is less than 5% of overall U.S. food sales, although consumer demand for it is on the rise. The US Department of Agriculture uses a certification process to ensure all foods with the iconic green label meet the standards:
The organic process also highlights the prevention of pests instead of treatment for them. Food that is produced in this manner offers a number of key benefits to optimize your health.
Produce that’s not laden with chemical pesticides just tastes better than foods that have been sprayed or treated. Likewise, animals that aren’t artificially fattened with hormones and that grow without stress in natural environments taste better than conventionally farmed animals.
When food tastes good, you tend to eat more of it. And well-raised fruits, vegetables, and animal products are vital to your well-being.
Farmers use pesticides to protect crops from insects, infection, and weed overgrowth. However, exposure to pesticides in food and water is linked to the following health problems:
Environmental Working Group produces a list of the most heavily contaminated fruits and vegetables that they call the Dirty Dozen. Eating organic reduces your own toxic burden and significantly lowers your exposure to problematic pesticides.
The overwhelming majority of conventionally grown livestock is fed or injected with hormones to make them grow faster and produce more milk. Those hormones eventually end up on your dinner table and in your body.
GMO, or genetically modified organisms, are man-made foods created by combining strains of DNA from plants and animals. They’re making their way into the food supply at an alarming rate. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine warns that GMO foods can cause health problems. Organic foods are not genetically modified.
To learn more, talk to Dr. Massachi about customizing a nutrient-rich, organic diet that meets your unique needs and goals. Call today to book a consultation or use our online scheduling feature.
