If you’re anything like me, your health is a constant concern. With ceaseless studies feeding us information on what should and shouldn’t be used for proper functioning of the body, I’ve had to develop my own opinion on what is and isn’t necessary to buy organically or naturally. I am no doctor. However, I hope to share what products have and have not proved practical when dealing with organic purchases.
Water: I giggle slightly when my mom goes on one of her health kicks and stocks up on 33- ounce Smart Waters. H2O is H2O baby. If you’re concerned about the quality of your drinking water, invest in some type of filter. It matters not if the water you purchase is from the pure streams of Fiji, or if it’s fortified with electrolytes. Its molecular structure has not changed. You can find a Brita pitcher for around $40, and each filter lasts for hundreds of glasses of water. That same $40 plus the water bill would maybe equate to 15 bottles of precious Fiji gold.
Deodorant: It’s nearly impossible to find a women’s deodorant that isn’t an anti-perspirant or containing aluminum. Neither are ideal components; anti-perspirants prevent the natural process of sweating and a direct link has been found between aluminum in deodorants and dementia and Alzheimer’s in later years. Yes, the risks are there. But I must give my own two-cents. For the past two weeks, I’ve been using Tom’s Deodorant, an organic, aluminum-free brand. I don’t think I’ve ever been so repulsed by my own stink that I refuse to raise my hand in class. Yes, my body odor is worse using this deodorant than when not using any at all. As much as I would like to lower my risk of any illness in later life, there’s very little purpose in using a product that defeats its own function.
Produce: This one’s a bit iffier. I can’t really say whether or not it’s worth the expense because I don’t pay for groceries. Organic produce is grown in a method free of pesticides and of any unnatural growth fertilizers. However, it can often be double the price of non-organic fruits and vegetables. No matter what, the nutritional value of the produce does not change. The same levels of vitamin C are present in an orange grown organically and one that is not. Most food we consume is injected with synthetic ingredients. It’s your choice in what areas you’d prefer to cut back.
Eggs, Meat and Milk: These three basics are the only foods that I would always recommend be bought organically. Most packaged foods contain plenty of artificial sweeteners and fillers. It is what it is. However, animal meat and its byproducts should all be purchased organically. Buy grass-fed beef. The ones not being fed grass are being fed genetically modified wheat. It’s not like we need more of that in our diets. Buy cage-free eggs. The other eggs come from chickens cooped up with thousands of other chickens and force-fed food. Buy hormone-free milk. The levels of estrogen in other milk can cause early puberty in young girls and promote an unbalance in testosterone levels in males.
When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, it all goes back to moderation. Try to avoid any and all unnatural products if possible, but if you can’t avoid it, don’t stress. A little can’t cause too much damage
