Natural foods are foods that are minimally processed. Natural foods do not include ingredients such as refined sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, sweeteners, food colors, or flavorings.
Sucanat, stevia, raw honey, agave syrup and maple syrup are sweeteners often used in place of white sugar in a natural foods diet. Sea salt is also preferred over table salt.
Proponents of natural foods diets argue that refined ingredients promote obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
During the natural food movement, natural foods were made popular in America and Western Europe during the 1970s. Its principles include avoiding artificial ingredients and 'processed' foods such as refined sugar and white flour.
Food produced or sold according to the ideals of the natural food movement is sometimes known colloquially as 'health food,' although many people also use that term in a broader sense to mean any type of healthy eating.
Although in modern times the natural food diet has largely been practiced only by a minority, it has frequently influenced the way the wider population eats.
Recent research conducted on organic milk has shown that it has more anti-oxidants, omega 3, CLA, and vitamins than non organic milk. According to the researchers at the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Aberdeen, and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, organic milk is healthier than non organic milk as organic cows are pasture grazed which results in better quality milk.
Research on the health benefits of organic milk has increased the hopes of numerous people who strongly believe that mankind should stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides and shift to the more sustainable organic farming practices.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Bio Farming
Farmers face a multitude of plant pests and diseases. Pressures from insects, viruses, weeds and weather can impose considerable damage on crops, lowering yields and raising costs.
Traditionally, farmers have relied on combinations of herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers and irrigated water to protect their crops and boost production. Each of these inputs adds to the cost of the product, but they are necessary investments. In addition to the economic costs, these inputs also may exact environmental costs.
Biotechnology Increases Options for Farmers
Plants developed to defend themselves against insect pests or diseases or to tolerate certain herbicides represent the first generation of biotechnology crops. Crops developed using biotechnology give farmers greater flexibility and safer, more innovative choices in pest management. The economic and environmental benefits of biotech crops have been documented in comprehensive reports from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.
Insect-Protected Crops - Biotechnology is used to strengthen a crop's own ability to defend itself against destructive insects, reducing, and sometimes eliminating, the need for chemical pesticides. The plants are given the genetic ability to produce a protein-toxic to certain insects but harmless to humans and animals-that is found in a common soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. The current generation of Bt cotton, corn and potatoes protects against the European corn borer, the cotton and pink bollworms, and the Colorado potato beetle, respectively. Other insect-protected plants in development include soybean, peanut, broccoli and eggplant. A nematode-resistant pineapple also is in development.
Traditionally, farmers have relied on combinations of herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers and irrigated water to protect their crops and boost production. Each of these inputs adds to the cost of the product, but they are necessary investments. In addition to the economic costs, these inputs also may exact environmental costs.
Biotechnology Increases Options for Farmers
Plants developed to defend themselves against insect pests or diseases or to tolerate certain herbicides represent the first generation of biotechnology crops. Crops developed using biotechnology give farmers greater flexibility and safer, more innovative choices in pest management. The economic and environmental benefits of biotech crops have been documented in comprehensive reports from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.
Insect-Protected Crops - Biotechnology is used to strengthen a crop's own ability to defend itself against destructive insects, reducing, and sometimes eliminating, the need for chemical pesticides. The plants are given the genetic ability to produce a protein-toxic to certain insects but harmless to humans and animals-that is found in a common soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. The current generation of Bt cotton, corn and potatoes protects against the European corn borer, the cotton and pink bollworms, and the Colorado potato beetle, respectively. Other insect-protected plants in development include soybean, peanut, broccoli and eggplant. A nematode-resistant pineapple also is in development.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Organic Food protects environment and animal rights
Organically grown food is also better for the environment because it promotes sustainability. Methods of growing organic food are done in a way to greatly reduce or eliminate environmental pollution. The use of synthetic chemicals is prohibited so that there is no compromising the quality of the soil, water and air. Furthermore, a main focus of organic farmers is the cultivation of healthy soil and the symbiotic relationship between the land, water, air, crops and animals.
Support Local Economy
Many people tout that organic food just tastes better; however, this might be a testament to where the food originates versus how it is grown. Most conventionally grown food has to travel long distances before it reaches your local supermarket, and to preserve its appearance and taste it's often injected with artificial dyes and preservatives. But food grown organically by local farmers and sold directly through markets and roadside stands tastes better because it is fresh. More importantly, however, is that locally grown organic food supports area farms and vendors.
Animal Rights
Animals such as cattle, and poultry that are raised for organic food products are done so humanely. Unlike animals on factory farms that must endure cramped, often filthy living conditions, it is mandated that animals on organic farms be given certain rights. These rights include access to natural light and open pastures, as well as a diet of grass and organic grain. In addition, these farms are often graded on how handlers treat their animals and the conditions under which they are slaughtered. In short, organic farmers ensure that their animals receive the best possible treatment and living conditions during their lifetime.
Support Local Economy
Many people tout that organic food just tastes better; however, this might be a testament to where the food originates versus how it is grown. Most conventionally grown food has to travel long distances before it reaches your local supermarket, and to preserve its appearance and taste it's often injected with artificial dyes and preservatives. But food grown organically by local farmers and sold directly through markets and roadside stands tastes better because it is fresh. More importantly, however, is that locally grown organic food supports area farms and vendors.
Animal Rights
Animals such as cattle, and poultry that are raised for organic food products are done so humanely. Unlike animals on factory farms that must endure cramped, often filthy living conditions, it is mandated that animals on organic farms be given certain rights. These rights include access to natural light and open pastures, as well as a diet of grass and organic grain. In addition, these farms are often graded on how handlers treat their animals and the conditions under which they are slaughtered. In short, organic farmers ensure that their animals receive the best possible treatment and living conditions during their lifetime.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Spreading the Organic word
People are exploring the world of organic food and discovering the many benefits of eating organic health foods. Many people try every diet possible to lose weight and many different food combinations in feeble attempts at eating better without changing much in terms of the actual food. The newest trend in food is eating organic food and for good reason. Eating organic means, in English, that you are being better to yourself and the earth because you’re putting cleaner food in your mouth. Let’s discuss organic health food as a better food choice.
You may be asking yourself why “organic” matters in terms of it being a healthier choice. It means produce has been raised without pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals commonly employed on commercial farms to ward off pests, inject nutrients into the soil and encourage growth. Dairy products are raised without the hormones, such as bovine growth hormone, or BGH, that some commercial farms employ to get more milk out of their dairy cows, which translates into buttermilk, cream and cheese among other products. Cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals are raised in clean environments, fed organic, mineral rich feed and permitted to roam freely. They are not given hormones of any kind or contained in pens, stalls or cages, as some animals are on commercial farms.
When you’re eating organic food, what is not in them is as important, if not more so, than what is in them that benefits you. Artificial colors and flavors, artificial sweeteners, additives and preservatives are all prohibited in organic farming. This is important, especially for children as studies suggest artificial colors and preservatives, among other ingredients, may contribute to hyperactivity in children.
Another important reason why organic health food is better for you is what it lacks. Organic farmers rotate their crops to allow the land to recover and fertilize the land with compost which means everything is natural and chemical free. Birds and other natural pest control methods are used on organic farms in lieu of pesticides and herbicides. When these chemicals don’t touch the food you eat, they don’t touch you making organic health food a healthier choice for you.
You may be asking yourself why “organic” matters in terms of it being a healthier choice. It means produce has been raised without pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals commonly employed on commercial farms to ward off pests, inject nutrients into the soil and encourage growth. Dairy products are raised without the hormones, such as bovine growth hormone, or BGH, that some commercial farms employ to get more milk out of their dairy cows, which translates into buttermilk, cream and cheese among other products. Cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals are raised in clean environments, fed organic, mineral rich feed and permitted to roam freely. They are not given hormones of any kind or contained in pens, stalls or cages, as some animals are on commercial farms.
When you’re eating organic food, what is not in them is as important, if not more so, than what is in them that benefits you. Artificial colors and flavors, artificial sweeteners, additives and preservatives are all prohibited in organic farming. This is important, especially for children as studies suggest artificial colors and preservatives, among other ingredients, may contribute to hyperactivity in children.
Another important reason why organic health food is better for you is what it lacks. Organic farmers rotate their crops to allow the land to recover and fertilize the land with compost which means everything is natural and chemical free. Birds and other natural pest control methods are used on organic farms in lieu of pesticides and herbicides. When these chemicals don’t touch the food you eat, they don’t touch you making organic health food a healthier choice for you.
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