organic food for kids

why organic is better for our kids

In the past decade research and analysis has shown that children may be much more at risk than adults from pesticide exposure and, consequently, may suffer great harm to their health and physical development.

Quite simply, children ingest more food and water per pound of body weight than adults, so any exposure is greater in proportion to their size. These chemicals may be more harmful to developing organs and bodily systems, including neurological and reproductive systems, than they are to mature adult bodies.

Insecticides kill by attacking the nervous system of insect pests. They are frequently used in fruit and vegetable farming. We found a disturbing study conducted in 20004 that measured the levels of these chemicals in the urine of preschool children living in Seattle, USA. The study revealed that children with conventional diets had on average nine times more organophosphate insecticides in their urine than children fed organic produce.

Young children also lack many of the biological defences that protect adults against the toxic effects of pesticides.

Science shows us that most organic produce is free from pesticide residues and most conventionally grown produce is not. Whatever we do or don't know about threshold levels for harm, most people would agree that food with no poison is better for children's developing minds and bodies than food with some. Why take the risk with non-organic fruit and veggies?

Thankfully, genetically modified organisms are banned from organic food. Studies suggest that as much as 80% of processed foods in the US contain a component from a GM crop. Many parents in the US are simply unaware how much of their food contains GMOs. And since children convert more of their food into body-building material, the potential risks of GM food may be much higher for them.

However, since very little is done to monitor the impacts of GM food consumption on humans, it may take years (or even decades) for health problems to emerge.  One of the best ways to avoid the uncertain risks of GM for our children (and ourselves) is by switching to organic food. In fact, thousands of schools around the world, particularly in Europe, have decided not to let their kids be used as guinea pigs and have banned GM foods completely (Smith, 2005).

In addition, there is growing evidence that organic food generally contains more nutrients than non-organic food.  Leading researcher, Shane Heaton, undertook a comprehensive review of many research studies analysing the nutrient content of organic and conventional food, and found that, on average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals. Just the right stuff for our growing kids.

And according to a group of Welsh researchers, organic milk contains 64% more omega 3 fatty acids. They found that behavioural problems may improve if parents switch their children to organic milk, and that organic milk (compared to non-organic milk) may also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

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