When you think of food, what do you think of? Nourishing, calories, grocery stores.
How important is food to you and your family?
When you look at the food that you put on your table, do you know where it is coming from and what exactly it is made of?
What are GMOs or GE (Genetically Engineered) foods: GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE).
Without water and food, our bodies would not be able to function. Food is supposed to nourish us. Hippocrates once quoted, “Let food by thy medicine.” However, in a large amount of foods that are being purchased in your local grocery store, even Whole Foods, are genetically modified. Genetically modified foods were introduced years ago, with the purpose of increasing volume to “feed the world.” As of today, these foods having taken over the food chain. Sadly, it is hard to tell which foods are genetically modified and which are not. Some of the most common genetically modified foods are: Corn, Soy, Potato, Tomatoes, Canola Cottonseed, Papaya, Radicco, Squash, Salmon via Healthy Child Healthy World
Sadly, even trusted health brands do not want to be labeled. Also, American Brand, like Hershey’s, are changing ingredients in countries that require labeling but not changing the ingredients here in the US.
The reason this is important is that there is now evidence that these foods are taking the toll on the human body, including allergies, reproductive issues, birth defects, leaky gut and much much more. The documentary, Genetic Roulette, takes a hard look at these foods and the evidence pointing the deterioration of our bodies.
The other area of concern is that there are numerous countries that now require the labeling of genetically modified foods, but the United States will not label these foods. Currently these are the countries who require labeling of GM foods: Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Venezuela, Taiwan, Russia, India, Chile, South Africa.
5 Steps to help eat less GMO foods
1. Buy Organic: Certified organic products are not allowed to use any GMO’s in their production. But be careful with this as there are loopholes. Product must be made of 100% organic products.
2. Learn to read ingredient labels. Download this free Shoppers Guide app and have it with you when you shop.
3. Recognize and become aware of the top products that are GMO.
4.. Look for NON GMO Project labels when shopping.
5. . Eat more greens/fruits. Buy local. When shopping local you can speak to the actual people growing/raising your food. You can ask their processes and procedures and many times tour their farm. Many times, it is so expensive to get the labeling of Organic that most small time farms do not continue with the process even though they are actually organic.
Food, what does it mean to you now?
Learning/Action Sources:
For more information about the history of GMO foods
Learn more about what labeling GMO
Is Organic really GMO free
A healthy Online Costco/Sams/Grocery Store
Top brands who do not want their products labeled
Tips on how to avoid GMO foods
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Linda used to find herself in an occasional drive through, buying the typical boxed goods, eating meat and drinking dairy, before making changes starting in 2004. After getting married and then having 2 boys, 14 months apart, her health journey has taken many turns. Linda has become very active in educating others about the benefits of healthy food options, juicing, smoothie making, and label reading, among other things in her Facebook group, The Healthy Famdam. You can also find her posting about all things Families and Babies on her Facebook page, The Helpful Sister. If you are into pinning and tweeting connect with her here: Pinterest, and Twitter.
Karla T. says
And people wonder why girls are wearing bras in Pre-K…
Sarah says
Or why boys will soon be wearing them too!!
Xandra says
Such an important discussion, and one we need to be having! Corn and soy are in just about everything now (even some bread has high fructose corn syrup!).
We really need to be conscious about the choices that we are making, and what we’re putting into our bodies – we eat to nourish ourselves so we should be careful what we’re ‘nourishing’ with!
Thanks for helping bring this issue to the attention of so many people!
Lisa says
Paying better attention to food labels is on my list for 2013 too!
Gina Badalaty says
We’ve been on the autism diet for 2 years (gluten and dairy-free), we’ve eliminated preservatives, colorings, most phenols, MSG, corn, soy, and now we are working on the rest of the GMOs. Can you guess WHICH I’m having the hardest time with? GMOs are in absolutely everything.
Sharon says
We have 2 vegetarians in our house and I will only use non GMO soy. I committed to eliminating as many processed foods as possible from our household and it is SO hard! It’s easy to make good choices, but it’s often not convenient or cost effective. I have a culinary degree, so its easy for me to formulate nutritionally balanced meals, but it is a big job to do it 7 days a week.
Heather {LocalFunforKids} says
I was also excited to learn that all of TRADER JOE’S own brand foods are GMO FREE. One more reason to love that place!!!