Extreme clean?

Happy · 01-13-2005, 08:58 PM

I was just doing a search for other forum topics on "organic" and I found that there are relatively no posts or discussions on organic foods. I was just thinking the other night that we (people with healthful lifestyles) go to such extents to eliminate "bad" foods i.e processed foods, hydrogenated oils, sugars etc. from our diet, and yet one of the most integral ingredients in our diets - dairy - could be considered just as bad for us to consume because of the ingredients within it (rGBH or Bovine Growth Hormone), antibiotics and so on. I think the knowledge of this isn't new to anyone, but I thought discussion would have been more prevalent on the topic of dairy just as it is for Omega-3's and Mercury in fish. I know it costs more to buy organic foods in general, but is it worth spending the extra few cents to bucks to go to the extreme clean in your diet? Personally, I do. But only because I consume a lot of dairy daily (nonfat milk, yogurt, cottage cheese). Anyhow, time to go eat some yogurt.

Canadian_Bacon · 01-13-2005, 09:28 PM

Buying organic is managable if you do it SMART. For instance it is probably a good idea to get dairy that is organic due to the hormone issue.

As a cut of meat gets higher in fat it (IMHO) becomes better to buy organic/free range. This is for two reasons:

1) Many organic pollutants and additives build up in fatty tissue.

2) The fatty acid profile of free-range is superior.

As far as fruits and veggies go I only buy organic for the ones that are considered to be the most 'dirty'. Ones that are generally clean from regular sources I buy non-organic to save cash.

You can do a google search for the 10 most contaminated fruits/veggies. If you are going to buy organic and you eat these then those would probably be the best place to start.

Happy · 01-13-2005, 10:35 PM

Nod.

I consistently buy organic apples, however at Costco I don't hesistate to purchase grapefruit or blueberries in bulk (non-organic).

emartin10 · 01-14-2005, 11:16 AM

I eat (for the most part, whey shakes), completely organic. I am fortunate enough to have a market about 10 miles from my house that sells organic foods for very cheap, much cheaper than normal foods are in the regular grocery. My girlfriend and I spend roughly 80 bucks a week on food, and we stock up. Usually 2 to 3 lbs of chicken, 1 lb of deli turkey, and about 2 lbs of fish. Tons of veggies, and quite a bit of dairy.

I figured, kind of like you are saying, that if I am going to clean up my diet so much, I'd rather clean it up all the way. I've done quite a bit of research on the topic myself, and know that the chemicals in the foods aren't going to make a HUGE difference, but I just prefer to go without them anyway. The fact that I went to school and lived in Boulder for 5 years doesn't help my cause I'm sure, but I am happy with the decision I made.

If it did nothing else, it forced me to stop eating fast food, and gain a huge interest/passion in nutrition, which is what I'll be going to grad school for in less than a year. I'm on my work computer right now, but I have a few really interesting links on the topic, and will try to remember to post them later tonight. Good topic too!