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Should I feed my child organic food?
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Organic food refers to vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and meat products processed and grown by using non-conventional methods in order to boost soil and water conservation, ecological balance and reduce pollution. (Shutterstock/-)
T
he nutritional choices you make for your children are crucial, setting the stage for good health and good habits for years to come. So if you’ve heard about the benefits of organic food, you may be wondering if it is worth the extra expense, especially if you are on a budget.
What’s most important is that your child eats a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, whether those are conventionally or organically grown.
Organic foods do have lower levels of pesticides and drug-resistant bacteria. That may be important for your child because young children are more vulnerable to chemicals, but we simply do not have the scientific evidence to know if the difference would affect a person’s health over a lifetime.
(Read also: Facts and myths about organic food)
Both organic and conventionally grown foods have the same vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, lipids and other nutrients that are important for a child’s health. If you are on a budget, do not buy the more expensive organic options if it is going to reduce your family’s overall intake of healthy foods like fresh produce. It is better for kids to eat five servings of conventionally grown produce a day than for them to eat one serving of organic vegetables.
Organic milk is not healthier for your child than conventional milk, but you should make sure all milk they purchase is pasteurized.
The jury is still out on the long-term health benefits of organic produce, but in the meantime keep your eyes and ears open for new information as it becomes available – so you can make the best possible choices in the future.
No matter the size of your budget, you can do your kids a world of good by ensuring they get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. (kes)
