One of the most interesting section in the grocery store, at least in the superstores in USA, is the egg section. The egg cartons placed in the section come with different labels– Grade AA, Grade A, Grade B, All-Natural, Cage-Free, Free-Range, Farm Fresh, No Hormones, Omega-3, and then there is Organic. None of the eggs, including the so labelled organic, would hatch to produce a chicken if incubated.
The food you eat today are so much engineered, it can no longer be called as natural. The egg section is just one of the extreme examples, but the fact remains same for other food products. Today food products are produced under controlled conditions, altered to be prone to pest and other diseases common under the natural environment. The urbanization has pushed farms farther from the real consumers, and food products are modified to endure long duration of transportation and have better shelf life.
In short, the ‘farm fresh’ leafy vegetable in the supermarket in New York might have come from Ecuador some 3,000 miles away; harvested at least 15 days before; and carry small doses of chemicals that is lethal to small insects and may be to you as well.
The ill effects of consumption of these modified foods have started to show up widely in health of the people. Because of this, an awareness has come to source for the ‘life nurturing’ real food. The corporates controlling food products do not want to be left out, and so started branding products ‘organic’. But this label is also misleading, as there is little or no regulation governing the labeling for food products, and the influence of powerful lobby groups keep the issues under cover.
While this may sound like a hapless situation, there are some conscious changes you can make to our lifestyle and minimize the impact. Here are some of them –
- Eat what is right for you – Eating healthy does not mean eating exotic food. What you need is the right combination nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, that is appropriate to your age, lifestyle and health conditions. There are many alternative food items to get the appropriate nutrients. Do adequate research or consult nutrient experts to develop a stable food habit, that fits our condition.
- Eat locally – The simplest of the practice for a healthy food habit is to eat what is grown/produced locally. The food that is native to the place you live in, is generally the best suited for the lifestyle in the region. Fruits and vegetables from the farmers market tend to be fresh, generally free of harmful pesticides and preservatives, and you may even have an opportunity to see where and how it is produced. You may even grow some of your daily food items in your backyard or terrace garden.
- Avoid processed food – At any cost, avoid consuming food that is precooked and packed. They generally contain preservatives to extend their shelf life, and even the safest preservative is not so safe when taken regularly. The same applies to the packaged food and ready-to-eat food.
Food is the energy source for your body and mind, and it is a sound practice to take the most care in eating the right food, that provides the best package of nutrients needed for you.
Bon appetite…
