Losing Weight with Organic Foods
Posted on June 2, 2009Filed Under Diet, Weight Loss | 3 Comments
First, let’s address the controversy regarding the consumption of organic foods and whether or not they are worth the extra money. Are they in fact healthier for you than conventionally raised food? The evidence suggests an emphatic “YES.” Organic food contains fewer harmful chemicals, is more nutritious, and is better for Earth’s health.
A recent study known as the “Quality Low Input Food Project” ended its four-year research in April 2009 in which it examined the differences in food production systems and how it affected the nutritional value, taste and safety of food in Europe. The findings of this extensive project, which will be fully released in the next 10 months, concluded that organic fruits and vegetables contained as much as 40 percent higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants, which also reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, organic crops had elevated levels of zinc, a beneficial mineral needed by the human body. They also discovered that milk from organically-fed herds had up to 90 percent more antioxidants than milk from herds fed with a conventionally grown diet.
Even prior to this study, there were already excellent reasons to buy organic, such as avoiding the ingestion of herbicide and pesticide residues (which get stored in body fat), supporting small, sustainable farms, and eating better tasting food. We can conclude from the numerous studies conducted that organic foods have higher levels of important nutrients. Alyson Mitchell, Ph.D., a food scientist at the University of California, Davis stated, “[o]riginally, the question was just really intriguing to me.” I found that the higher level of antioxidants is enough to have a significant impact on health and nutrition, and it’s definitely changed the way I think about my food.”
If you still doubt that organic foods are better for your health, remember that artificial preservatives and chemicals that can be found in many foods we eat are relatively new and have only been consumed by humans for a short amount of time. Consider that half a century ago, all these toxins, added hormones, preservatives, and pesticides were not used in the foods we now eat. Our bodies are not engineered to digest these hazardous toxins. Our organs, specifically the liver, are unable to process hormones, preservatives, and pesticides, which in turn stresses the organ. Over time, an accumulation of harmful chemicals builds up in the fat stores of the body, which causes the body storing even more fat. By the way, if you want to remove these substances from your system, do it sooner than later, but first seek medical advice by a medical professional.
The evidence indicates that organic food is more nutritious and the lack of hazardous toxins helps your body perform more efficiently, as nature intended. How does this relate to weight loss? Organic foods are efficiently and quickly digested by your body. As a result, your metabolism speeds up, which is crucial for weight loss, because it doesn’t have to process these harmful chemicals. You then are able to convert the organic food into the full energy potential. This translates to less fatigue and having the extra energy needed to burn off even more calories. Studies have also found that laboratory rats who consume organics sleep better and we all know that you need to sleep enough to lose weight (see my post on sleep and losing weight).
I urge you to try organic food for a couple of months and see how you feel. I’ve been eating organic foods for awhile now and I honestly tell you that it’s helped me with my weight loss but also with some health problems I had been facing. Twice a week, I eat 6 oz of Superior wild Alaskan Sockeye, not farm-raised (might as well not eat it at all) twice a week, which I ordered online from Vital Choice. When you order 3 fillets, you are actually getting 4.5 pounds of Salmon. I cook all the fillets, and freeze most of it so they’re ready to eat on another night. Vital Choice’s Wild Salmon and Seafood, is certified pure, has an amazing taste, and it is #1 endorsed seafood by physicians. Try it once to see if you like it yourself. There’s nothing to lose with 100% satisfaction guarantee. They also carry organic snacks that are yummy too.
Best Wishes for your health!
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