I keep reading articles relating the decline of human health since the inception of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This term may sound foreign to you and you might think this does not affect you, but I beg you to keep reading. The worst of the GMOs are those that carry their own insecticides, you eat these foods (i.e. corn) then the insecticides break down your guts to the point of letting undigested food bits into your bloodstream. The body attacks these particles as if they were viruses or bacteria, for most people this results in new allergy, cancer, or other disease.
Organic For Baby and Mom
The effects of harmful chemicals on human beings can begin with the foods you eat while pregnant or trying to conceive. These mutations of genes are passed to the fetus. The infant formula you then feed your child also contains modified and engineered ingredients. Ever have your baby throw up a bottle of formula? I did. Every day. I had to switch formulas until one didn’t make my son sick. At the time, I didn’t know anything about GMOs, however they were all around me and had been for at least a decade. The best kept secret that is a silent killer and multi-billion dollar industry for those who create and sell it.
Making My Face Red
One aspect that I’m very interested in researching is the effect certain foods have on skin. Before moving to Texas I didn’t have red blotchy skin on my face, didn’t need prescription creams to keep it in check either. I found pictures of myself (sans make-up) from nine years ago, I had pretty nice skin! After years of living here in the US, I developed rosacea. Is there a connection between GMOs and this skin disorder? The less wheat and processed foods I eat, the less red and irritated my face feels. Coincidence? I don’t know yet, but if anyone has information about this or studies please share in the comments below.
Avoid shopping in the middle of the store
I’ll make it easy for you. This is the list of the most frequently found ingredients that could be genetically modified: Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Cottonseed, Sugar Beets, Hawaiian Papaya (most) and a small amount of Zucchini and Yellow Squash**. Buy these ingredients in their natural organic form, or with a “No GMO” label. This also includes pet food. I suggest printing the shopping guide to keep in your purse or if you have a fancy shmancy phone, download an App for it.
Buy organic meat, dairy (or at least rBGH/rBST free), and organic vegetables or fruits, especially those without peels (berries, stone fruit, squash).
Organic Food Is Not That Expensive
I went shopping to compare prices of organic versus conventional foods. Here is what I found:
Assuming a pound of each of the fruits and seeds were purchased, the difference is less than 6 dollars. And note that organic food isn’t always the most expensive item or brand on the shelf to choose from.
But if you know how much the GMO filled foods could impact your health, causing illnesses, anywhere from allergies up to and including cancer, how much will you spend to relieve symptoms over your lifetime? Wouldn’t that money be better served preventing you from getting sick in the first place? GMOs are the root cause for what ails you, natural and organic foods will take them out of the equation.
I’m A Farmer’s Daughter
This is a sticky situation. My father used to farm grain crops. He is also a chemical technologist. A double whammy for his foodie Earth-loving daughter. I asked some tough questions and ruffled Dad’s feathers to at least make him aware of what’s happening with GMO seed crops. He confessed that he grew GM Canola in 1998, the last year we farmed. It was probably cheaper to buy than regular seed, although that doesn’t sit well with me. I know it was a hard year but still…
There is a list of safe seed sources from farms that have signed the Safe Seed Pledge in 2012 (YAY!) available here.
Final Thought
As I was writing this post I was snacking on some “all natural” Sun Chips. I paused. Read the label and threw out the bag. Read about the lawsuit against Frito-Lay using “all natural” on the label of GM snacks. If you need me, I’ll be going through any remaining snacks in the house and tossing them out. Consumers can let their choices be heard through the products we choose or don’t choose to buy for our families. Please READ THE LABEL!
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Resources
Non-GMO Shopping Tips and Free Printable Guide (** list taken from this website)
I won’t get too link happy here, you can easily find lots of information in your favorite search engine!
This is a great resource. I’m trying so hard to make sure my family eats right.
Thanks for stopping by. Get the shopping guide, I keep a copy in my purse. Change the way you view the grocery store 🙂
Great post, very thoughtful! I’ve long been convinced GMOs stealthily introduced into the food chain during the 1980’s has been at least partially responsible for the growing obesity epidemic worldwide, (and who knows what else!)
Try not to go so hard on your dad. Monsanto, the company responsible for introducing GMOs into our diet has had a long history of being VERY aggressive about convincing farmers to buy their products. (Google Monsanto if you want to learn more about how very nasty and powerful they are!)
Yes, he got shy pretty fast when I started talking about GMOs. I know it’s not his fault!
Thanks for this great post. Many more Americans need to know more about GMOs and make their own decision on whether or not they want to avoid them I know I do, and remain hopeful that Prop 37 (mandatory lableing of GMO containing products) in California goes thru!