The way we eat can make a world of difference, so start today

The organic revolution has changed the way we farm, but what does it really mean for the food on our tables?

Meat, dairy, eggs, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables can all be grown or raised organic. In short, it's better for the planet, has higher animal welfare standards and is better for wildlife and you, the consumer.

Organic is an 'agroecological' farming system that offers many benefits, the biggest being foods often have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally-grown counterparts.

People with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives may find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods.

Fruits and veggies

Organic produce are grown using natural fertilisers (manure, compost), as opposed to synthetic or chemical fertilisers, which know less about.

Weeds are controlled naturally by crop rotation, hand weeding, mulching, and tilling, rather than with chemical herbicides and pests are controlled using natural methods (birds, insects, traps), as well as a few, choice naturally-derived pesticides.

Avoid the nasties

Chemicals such as synthetic fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides are widely used in conventional agriculture and residues remain on (and in) the food we eat.

Some studies have indicated that the use of pesticides even at low doses can increase the risk of certain cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Children are among the most vulnerable to pesticide exposure because immune systems, bodies, and brains are still developing. Exposure at an early age may cause developmental delays, behaviour disorders, autism, immune system harm, and motor dysfunction, according to research.

Pregnant women are also vulnerable due to the added stress pesticides can put on their already taxed organs. Plus, pesticides can be passed from mother to child in the womb, as well as through breast milk.

Meat, dairy and eggs

In organic methods, livestock are given all organic, hormone- and GMO-free feed and disease is prevented with natural methods such as clean housing, rotational grazing, and a healthy diet.

Antibiotics and medications are used to prevent livestock disease in regular methods and may not have access to the outdoors at all.

Organic farming standards say livestock must have access to the outdoors, meaning access to fresh feed and fresh air.

Organic food buying tips

The best bit of advice is to buy in season. Fruits and vegetables are cheapest and freshest when they are in season.

As Choithrams.com stock produce locally, as well as from all over the world, making it easy for you to find what you're looking for, it pays to find out when produce is delivered so you’re buying the freshest food possible.