Choosing Organic Food for the Family

Organic foods often has a higher price tag over those products from conventional farming.

Product cost is probably one of the notable things that you will see differently between organic and conventional farming produce. The higher price tag of organic products is nothing compared to the long term benefits it gives. But higher price tags should not stop us from going organic.

Consider the following:
- Cost of health care expenses spent on various food-related illnesses
- Amount of money that taxpayers doled out to subsidize large farming operations.
- Money that we pay for our water bills to filter out agricultural chemical residues out of the drinking water.
- Hospital bills that we have to pay in case we get sick from the foods that we eat.
- Medical expenses we incur due to water-borne diseases

Given these things to think about, will you agree that choosing organic foods pays off in the end?


Organic foods are richer in nutritional value since it has polyphenolic compounds that act as antioxidants. Organic meat is richer in omega-3 fats and contains higher amounts of conjugated linoleic acid or CLA that helps reduce risk of cancer. By consuming organic meat, we do not only prevent ourselves from mad cow disease but we help reduce the risk of getting cancer. Moreover, people who are patronize organic meat and foods have better immune system levels. They also have better sleeping habits and are less likely to be overweight. Eating organic foods is also beneficial to babies and children. The average baby is born with 200 toxins and carcinogens in their body and by the time the kid reaches 2 years old, most have pasted the lethal limit for the toxins. And by feeding your child organic products, they will have about 1/6th the amount of carcinogens in their blood. No one can dispute that organic food grown and raised in natural, healthier environment is a better choice for your family.

Organic Chicken Meat

There is no doubt that Chicken is a favorite food among kids, toddlers, and even adults. Children and adults alike share their love for fried chicken especially the chicken wings and drumstick parts. It brings so much joy to bite into the crispy chicken skin and its savory meat.

Chicken has always been a favorite dinner or lunch fare in fastfood chains and restaurants because people love it. Health-conscious adults opt for chicken breasts since it is lower in fat in the meat. They do away with other meat parts since fat is said to be highly concentrated on those with chicken skin on.

In early times, this widely domesticated fowl has been depicted in Babylonian carvings and was considered to be the most commonly available food source. Mature hens and younger pullets are raised for their edible eggs and meat. Immature males or cocks are castrated to become meat birds called capons. Chicken meat was believed to be the most easily digested meat in the Middle Ages.

Consumption of chicken meat increased in the United States during World War II resulting from shortage of other meats like pork and beef. Likewise, the consumption of chicken surpassed the consumption of beef and pork in Europe due to consumer awareness of mad cow disease or Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in 1996.


Chicken meat consumption dominates because of the relatively short production cycle, low price premium and integrated production compared to beef or pork.

Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Specific requirements must be met and maintained in order for products to be labeled as "organic". Similarly, animals are raised without antibiotics, hormones, or any other drugs. Organic chickens are fed only with natural, organic food. Organic foods are grown without modifications, and it must remain separate from conventional products. Farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, herbicides, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Organic feed cannot contain any animal by-products, antibiotics, or genetically-engineered grains as many herbicides, pesticides and fungicides act as potentially cancer causing agents.

Aside from being given a healthy and balanced diet, organic chickens are also provided with clean and healthy living environment. That way, incidences of chickens getting various diseases will be nil or kept to a minimum. The largest volume of organic meat sales is for poultry.

Since chicken is the most widely available organic meat, it finds its way to a number of natural food retailers and conventional groceries. It will be good to know that Chicken is also the most popular natural and organic meat, purchased by more than seven in ten American shoppers (73%).

It may sound so easy to claim that one’s farm is organic and that they practice organic chicken raising, but that it well said than done. There are strict sets of rules before a farm could be called and certified organic. Farms must follow certain rules and must be inspected annually by a third-party certifying body to make sure that those rules are met and followed.

Making the Switch to Green Lifestyle

With the green lifestyle bandwagon, people are becoming more and more conscious about what they eat. Undoubtedly, food is one of the basic needs we human focus on to ensure health. Our body gets the nutrients it needs from milk, bread, eggs, fruits, meat and vegetables we eat. And since eating is a regular activity that we all do frequently, our health is directly affected by the food choices we make. What we put in our bodies is a matter of personal choice, what we can afford to buy and of convenience.

Hence, eating eco-friendly food becomes the most significant single action we can all do to combat global warming. By opting to go without certain products at certain times of the year, people realize that they help save on climate-change impacts of transporting these goods.

The number of consumers loading up on homegrown, organic fruits and vegetables plus meat are increasing. As these people encourage friends and relatives to go for locally-sourced, seasonal foods by seeking out the small close to home, the clamor for healthy food options increases. Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability is often discussed.

Moreover, questions on how foods are grown or brought about are often raised as it impacts both human health and the environment. Not only do people reduce their food consumption but they are now becoming more meticulous about the foods and the quality of foods they eat. Consumers would like to know more about where their food comes from. They would like to be informed on how the chickens are raised and what goes into its meat before they actually buy it.

You may have seen organic products on the counter or at your local supermarket, but you know what is really means to be organic? Do organic foods have significant advantages over standard products? When you visit a grocery store, a wide array of chicken choices awaits you. There is free-range, cage-free and natural and organic meat to choose from.

While looking at those options, you will find out that organic food comes with real benefits and significant costs. It makes you really wonder if the higher-priced organic chicken is actually worth it. Is organic food really healthier? Is it more nutritious? What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is “organic” always best?  Why is it so expensive?