Scrumptious Reads

We hear all kinds of food-related reports: health claims and weight-loss promises, disease prevention and earth-friendly practices. Sometimes the information seems contradictory and confusing. Although there are no simple or straightforward answers, we think moderation is key. Beyond that, it’s important to educate oneself in order to make well-informed choices.
Originally, we planned on making some recommendations of foods you may want to consider avoiding, but realised that even our sources were subjective. Earlier this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine a group of researchers published a review of 237 studies that demonstrates organic foods are not healthier than their non-organic counterparts. There may be a difference in taste but there is no difference in nutrient content or health-benefits.
Apparently, the best way to guarantee you know exactly what you’re eating is to grow or produce it yourself. If that’s not possible, develop a good relationship with local farmers and buy only fresh, locally-grown food. And of course, try to reduce, limit, or eliminate your intake of highly processed foods.
Dr Smith-Spangler, of the Stanford Center for Health Policy, concluded that we should all be eating more fruit and vegetables, regardless of how they are grown.