Healthy Nature

Should your children eat organic?

Truth be told, you’ve really picked a complex topic to research. That’s good! It means you want to get to the core of what really matters.

Are organic foods simply marketed to parents terrified of the long-term consequences of eating foods treated with pesticides so companies can rake in more money?

Or is there legitimacy to the whole argument that organic is healthier and safer for children too?

The data, at this point, is mixed and inconclusive.

Here’s some of the ins and outs:

1. No One Knows the True Effects of Pesticides on Growing Bodies

Is it true that many of the fruits and veggies children eat come loaded with pesticides?

Yes.

One study reported in the 2006 edition of Environmental Health Perspectives found that 23 children who began eating organic food instead of conventionally grown food had their organophosphate pesticide levels drop significantly.

This happened after just 5 days.

However, that study, and no other study, has been able to precisely conclude what long-term effects that will have on children.

And such a study is nearly impossible to do.

Would going organic be healthier? Probably.

But then again, the pesticide levels found in conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are way lower than the amounts the EPA estimates that could cause harm.

There’s no straight answer on this one!

2. Organic Meat and Dairy Foods Have Mixed Answers Too

Fruits and vegetables are a somewhat unclear issue, and the same applies to meat and dairy foods for children too.

Common pesticides (like organochlorine) love to accumulate in the fatty tissue of meat and dairy.

You may have heard the chatter about antibiotics being present in some meat. However, current regulation in the US exists to make sure meat stays antibiotic-free in conventionally raised animals.

Farmers can use antibiotics in what ends up being meat and dairy products on your table. However, they must conform to strict regulations, which include the antibiotic passing entirely through the animal before it’s brought to market.

So, you shouldn’t expect to eat antibiotics in any kind of meat.

Should You Feed Your Kids Organic Food?

Well, unfortunately, there’s no definite conclusions on this matter.

But one thing’s for certain: you’re not a bad parent for not feeding your children organic.

You might be helping them avoid some health problems in the future. But there’s no convincing evidence you’re actually doing so.

So…it turns out to really be your own conscience and feelings on the issue. Should you feed your kids organic?

Well, only you can decide.