9 | Organic Foods: Debunking Myths and Unveiling Truths

We're diving into the world of organic food which can be a quite overwhelming topic. People are drawn to the idea of organic food because they believe it offers superior health benefits and is better for the environment. In this episode, we dig deeper into the differences, pros, cons, and myths around organic vs. conventional foods so we can be educated consumers.

4:40 When we talk about organic food, we're talking about products that are grown and produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, irradiation, or sewage sludge. Organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, which is often seen as a positive aspect. Critics argue that organic farming still uses natural pesticides and that their impact is not well understood.

7:55 Organic farming isn’t always as superior as we think as far as environmental impact. The higher demand for organic actually leads to a larger footprint and more fraud in farms falsifying organic certifications.

9:52 To be considered organic, produce needs to be certified and meet certain criteria, but there is no global standard. The idea of buying organic is often noble, but may not be as effective as we think.

11:59 Labeling standards are inconsistent, leaving a lot of confusion and uncertainty between labels such as “organic” and “natural.”

12:54 The overall consensus in the literature is that there isn't a significant difference in the nutritional content between organic and conventional foods. We dig into some of the findings comparing these two foods and where differences are present.

15:42 There is less pesticide residue in organic foods, but not none at all. There is a lot of fear around “toxic” substances, often leading to unnecessary shame around conventional produce.

17:54 We talk about the harm of overanalyzing our food choices and how this can be more negatively impactful to our health.

18:53 Many organic products (or products made with organic ingredients) lead to a misconception that they are better for our overall health when they have no additional benefits. An organic cookie is still a cookie.

20:39 Organic food is less accessible for some people, especially those with limited budgets and focusing exclusively on promoting organic food may perpetuate food inequality. In some metropolitan areas, the price of organic foods can be double that of conventional foods.

23:32 There is a lot of fearmongering around conventional foods (example: The Dirty Dozen). One of the best things we can do to reduce pesticide consumption is to wash produce with water. Study quoted: https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/Fact-Sheets/Analytical-Chemistry/Removal-of-Trace-Pesticide-Residues-from-Produce

25:16 We do not know the long term effects of pesticide exposure. Focusing solely on the organic label may limit our perspective on what contributes to our overall well-being.

28:40 People often think that organic food is morally superior, but that's not necessarily the case. We can instead shift to thinking about what we’re trying to achieve within each purchase we make.

34:18 There is no shame in wanting to purchase organic, b

💛 STAY CONNECTED
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.

🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt

🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition

Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!