Support NeoGAF

[tree fiddy]

I've always wondered this. Why fork over more cash for organic foods? Has it really been proven that they're healthier for us?

 

[xsarien]

Hell if I know, but I sure as hell feel more comfortable if I can actually pronounce the ingredients. That's why margarine's been out of my diet for years.

 

[arter_2]

they usually taste better i know that for sure, plus they seem more genuine i dunno they are worth thier price. plus i dont like the idea of people really fucking with vegtables.

 

[Bob White]

All I know is tofu is better than cheese doritos.

 

[sc0la]

I have found the extra price to be associated with a couple things:

::Reassurance of what you are eating - Organci foods have to meet specific standards in order to be labeled as such.

::Responsible production - organic vegetables are usually produced in more land responsive and responsible ways using crop rotation, smart non chemical pest control etc, and animals are generally cared for in a more humane fashion.

::Your money is going to someone who Walks the Talk - the extra price is going to a sort of change that you support, whether that be indipendant farmes, neo-ecological farming practices, or just fighting the industrial food production status quo.

Are they more healthy for you? I don't know, but I would hazard a yes since a lot of organic foods shy away from excessive processing that generally yields widely accepted as harmful artifacts such as saturated fats, trans-fats, high sugar low nutrient foods.

While those three things above may not matter to you, thats fine, the price difference may not seem worth it. But I think that generally there is more to consider than "is this organic head of lettuce more healthy than this non-organic head of lettuce?"

I have also felt that chemical pestacides on vegatables are probably most dangerous to children who are still developing (before and after birth). I know quite a few doctors who only feed their children organic foods.

 

[warabi-mochi]

Are they more healthy for you? I don't know, but I would hazard a yes since a lot of organic foods shy away from excessive processing that generally yields widely accepted as harmful artifacts such as saturated fats, trans-fats, high sugar low nutrient foods.

You can't manufacture saturated fats through extreme processing. Saturated fats are basically the fats you get from animals, as well as coconut and palm oil. Usually you'll find them in butter, eggs, cheese, lard, meat, etc. Trans fats show up in products because it's cheaper to make baked goods with margarine/edible oils than butter. While most companies were frying foods in hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils under the mistaken ideal that it was healthier for people due to poor research and lots of lobbying by groups.

Anyway, all fats - excluding trans fats - are extent good for you. You actually need the fat for many vital body functions. Taking in too much of anything is never a good idea, but eating products with just saturated fats isn't likely to kill you unless you're eating 8 eggs, or six steaks a day, or something equally ridiculous.

 

[Doth Togo]

I've heard that non-organic foods have certain toxins that harm the body. Those are referred to in the previous posts regarding pesticides, farming chemicals, etc. Large corporations produce such products, As far as organic foods is concerned, the smaller farms, locally owned, which do not use the pesticides, chemicals, etc are produced by them.

For some, organic foods is trendy. Think upper scale grocery stores like Whole Foods/Freshfields/Harris Teeter/etc. But in short, if I had a choice, I'd go with organic to help out the smaller farms. Competition for consumers is always good.

 

[Diablos]

Organic foods are free of chemicals and stuff that really aren't good for your body. As a result, some organic foods (like cereals) have a lot more calories and sugars because they need to be naturally enriched so they not only taste good, but keep well.

 

[DaveH]

I'd say that the health benefit of organic versus non-organic is probably marginal... not like people are dropping like flies from eating mass produced or GMO food (or the reverse- organic eaters looking like supermen). The most important thing, IMO, it that people who buy organic tend to be more health conscious period, which has tangible health benefits. Buying organic, they're putting their money where their mouth is so they're going to be paying attention (more likely) to what's going into their mouth and outta their wallet.

It's like any testimonial be it a diet powder, exercise machine, or Subway sandwiches... it's probably more about them becoming disciplined and health conscious (and taking related actions) than any miracle product or diet.

 

[Hitokage]

Anyway, all fats - excluding trans fats - are extent good for you. You actually need the fat for many vital body functions. Taking in too much of anything is never a good idea, but eating products with just saturated fats isn't likely to kill you unless you're eating 8 eggs, or six steaks a day, or something equally ridiculous.

Not quite. Saturated fat, while necessary to some degree, is not a "more is better" substance. After you consume the requirement, it rapidly becomes unhealthy. Unsaturated fat doesn't have this diminishing return, barring caloric intake.

 

[tree fiddy]

Great posts guys!
I was just curious, that's all. I'm a student so I can't afford to spend anymore on food than I have to but at the same time, I'm becoming more health concious.

 

[COCKLES]

There a shitload more expensive I can tell you that.

Reason people are so fat:- they can't afford the overpriced diet versions of food.

If I buy a can of reduced salt beans. Shouldn't the fact I'm paying for less salt make them cheaper?