Nutrition
Organic or CONVENTIONAL?
GET THE FACTS By Jo Ann Serota, DNP, CPNP, FAANP T
he organic food business has become a major industry, with more than 28 billion dollars in sales in 2012, up 11 per- cent from 2011. You can now fi nd organic products lining the aisles and fi lling the produce sections at most supermarkets. You may wonder if serving your family organic foods has health or other types of benefi ts. Organic foods may lessen your family’s exposure to certain pesticides, antibiotics and other chemicals that may cause human disease. It has been shown that organic foods have less pesticide residues, lower nitrate levels, more vitamin C and more phosphorus than conventional foods.
In addition, organic farming can decrease the impact on the environment when compared to conventional methods of farming.
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There is no scientifi c evidence proving that organic foods are superior to conven- tional foods regarding safety or nutritional composition. Organic foods cost about 10 to 40 percent more than conventional foods, due to the increased costs of labor, organic animal feed and lower productivity. It’s your choice whether to go organic or stay with conventional foods. What is essential to promote good health is incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free milk and dairy products into your family’s diet on a daily basis.
Jo Ann Serota, DNP, CPNP, FAANP, is a certifi ed PNP and co-owner of Ambler Pediatrics, Blue Bell, PA. She is a Past President of NAPNAP and President of the NAPNAP Foundation.
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