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Part 4 Discussion: the State of Produce

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I've decided to launch a 10-part discussion feature on Nutrition...specifically the state of nutrition nowadays.  I hope that sharing the very basis of what I've learned from years working in the field might make it easier for some of you to start taking the right steps towards getting healthy!  If you missed my previous discussion post, click here


*Whew*  Things got a little sidetracked here with Mental Health Awareness Month last month and a trip to NYC right before that, but we're getting back on track!

Today for the 4th part of our discussion segment, we are talking about the state of our produce today.  This means our fruit, vegetables, herbs, grains and seeds.  Pretty much anything that grows in the ground.  I'll be breaking it down into simple but important points. Check it out:

Soil quality Most common fertilizers often only contain 3-4 of the basic minerals that used to be found in soil.  Therefore right out of the bat, our produce is less nutritious than it used to be when our grandparents were young.  Studies done by Globe & Mail and CTV news show that in some cases, the nutrient loss be anywhere from 50%-100% in some cases. -Source

Pesticides are another big one.  I know a lot of them are said to be safe for human consumption but that isn't necessarily the case.  Washing your produce can help but it's hard to say how much of those toxic ingredients actually leach into the food itself?  A lot of these chemicals haven't even been tested for long-term human consumption so who knows what effects they're having on us long term.

Freshness When buying in supermarkets, you can almost be certain the produce you're buying isn't local (unless it says so right on the item or it's shelf).  That means it's been shipped from who knows how far away.  You probably don't even want to know how long before ago it was actually harvested... and then just sat on a shelf or in storage somewhere before making it to your grocery store.  I mean, the stuff still looks fresh, but it really isn't. Often times the taste will give it away though - if it has any taste to it at all.

It's different for certified organic produce though because those items HAVE to have 3rd party certification that they are in fact 100% organic.  3rd party certification means that some outside party, not affiliated with the company in question has to come in and very every aspect of production, from seed to harvest to ensure all guidelines are followed.  Certified organic produce has absolutely NO pesticides or GMOs so you can be sure they're the real deal.

* That isn't to say that all organic produce is created equal. There will always be people trying to get around the rules just to be able to charge that extra amount of money for something organic.  That's why looking for ''3rd party certification'' is key.  You want all the assurances possible that the product you're buying is as green as can be.  That way you minimize toxic exposure while optimizing nutrient intake.*

Buying Local Since we brushed the subject there, let's keep going. Buying local is always a good option but again there's no guarantee that local means cleaner or pesticide-free.  Making sure you're food is clean should be a priority so if local farmers aren't offering as close to organic as possible, it's your right to ask them to; or find someone else who will.

Reality The reality is I don't always eat organic myself.  In the small community where I live, organic food is not always readily available.  And when it is, it's sometimes overpriced, even for organic.  In those cases when organic is not an option, there are always ways to work around it.  Buying local at least, means your food will be relatively fresher than the produce aisle of your grocery store. Especially if you can actually harvest the fruits/veggies yourself.  When produce isn't in season, just try to limit your consumption of the dirty dozen, wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly with natural fruit & veggie cleaner - or make your own, it's cheap & easy!

The Bottom Line is, eating fresh fruits & vegetables is always a healthier option than eating fast-food or overly processed snacks.  Adding produce to your everyday routine is always a good idea, so try not to stress too much about it, do the best you can and never mind the rest :)

The important thing to remember here is that big corporations are making decisions about the food you eat. They're using pesticides that haven't always been properly tested for human consumption (and you will consume trace amounts or more no matter what they say) so my goal here was to bring awareness to that fact.  If it bothers you, seek out organic produce. Talk to your local suppliers or governing bodies. Make yourself heard.  WE CAN make a difference here and the best time to start is now.


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