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| | Nutrition Tips Home Page | | Going Organic During Pregnancy | Good nutrition is important during pregnancy, especially during the first several weeks of development. Deciding what constitutes good nutrition can sometimes be a bit confusing, so here's some helpful information:
Eating the Natural Way
Consuming organic foods is one way to eat healthier. Organic food is produced without using conventional pesticides or bio-engineering. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. In addition, organic foods are environmentally-friendly, since organic farming promotes the use of renewable resources, as well as soil and water conservation.
A great time to begin eating organic foods is before you become pregnant; however, choosing to go organic is a wise decision at any time. If you are trying to conceive, it would be a good idea to have your partner start eating organic foods before you conceive to ensure the healthiest baby possible.
You Are What You Eat and So is Your Baby
Over one billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States each year to protect crops from insects, pests and weeds. We then consume some of these chemicals as pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. During pregnancy, these chemicals can reach your baby through the umbilical cord and can later be passed through your breast milk if you’re not careful.
Extra caution should be taken during pregnancy and lactation. This could mean washing fruits and vegetables before eating. This could also mean eating certified organic foods as a good way to reduce your risk of pesticide exposure and safeguard your child’s health. Either way, it is extremely important to get the recommended servings of fresh foods, including fruit, vegetables, and meat. Please remember, though, that avoiding fresh fruits and vegetables altogether is much more harmful than any traces of pesticides that you might come across. Just choose what you eat wisely, just as you would any other food.
What does “Certified Organic”Mean?
The words "organic" and "certified organic" are sometimes used in a misleading manner to attract consumers. To make certain that you are purchasing an organic product, look for a seal on the package from the certifying agency, such as the Organic Crop Improvement Association, or ask the store for the organic certificate for the product. “Certified organic” refers to agricultural products that have been grown and processed according to uniform standards and verified by independent state or private organizations accredited by the USDA.
Growing Market Demand
Many supermarkets now carry fresh organic produce, due to growing demand. Organic produce costs more than regular produce and may not appear blemish free. This “naturalness” is actually what you want, so don’t let a few brown spots deter you from going organic.
In order to protect the long-term health of your family, it might be a good idea to buy organic products. Keep in mind that not all meats are pumped full of antibiotics and not all fruits and vegetables are coated with harmful amounts of pesticides.
Think of eating organic foods during your pregnancy as a way to give your baby an extra boost by eating healthier, fresher foods.
To Find Out More
For further information about organic farming practices, visit the Organic Farming Research Foundation website or the USDA National Organic Program website. To learn more about shopping for organic foods, visit the Natural Resources Defense Council website. |
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