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Organic Baby Foods. Are they important? Should we spend the extra money? Let’s dive in on how to feed our newborns and toddlers safely.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
Research has proven that organic fruits and vegetables are no more nutritious than non organic. However, the truth is that they don’t claim to be. Organic only means that the item was grown and harvested a certain sustainable and eco-friendly way, with no/low pesticides, or chemical fertilizers used. The safest option with the most intact vitamins is going to be your local farmers market. When you go shopping in a store the produce may have been picked weeks ago, and the nutrition of fruits/veggies starts fading from the moment of picking.
You may have heard of the dirty dozen before. It’s a way to choose organic on the items that have the most risk of pesticide contamination, and not stress about the rest.
In general, leafy greens and sweet fruits with thin skins are often at risk of being sprayed more often, so try to choose organic baby foods when choosing these options.
ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Unlike fruits and vegetables, meat does contain higher quality nutrition if it is raised well. Grass fed beef, wild caught fish and pastured eggs [not just free range] both have a healthier omega 3:6 ratio than conventional beef and eggs. Diets higher in Omega 3s have been linked to better heart health and a stronger cardiovascular system, improved brain health, improved eye health, reduced risk of autoimmune diseases and mood disorders, and even reduce the risk of cancer.
Dairy from grass fed cows is digested better and is a healthier source of fat. Cows that are treated better also have more space and spend less time standing in their own poop! Grass fed yogurt and butter are great fat choices for infants that aren’t dairy sensitive.
Chicken and other meats don’t have as many natural options are there are for cows. You can purchase meat from a local farm if you’d like a sustainable source. However, if you’re worried about clean food for your baby- just look for any packing that says raised without hormones or antibiotics.
GRAINS
Grains generally don’t need to be organic. However, the research isn’t clear about long term health impacts of GMOs. So parents that would like to avoid GMOs should purchase their corn, soy and rice products either organic or GMO free.
FORMULA
Without getting into a deep dive, American formula is way behind other nations in it’s quality and regulations. Conventional formulas contain GMOs, pesticides, milk treated with hormones,
Organic formula has restrictions on the amount of pesticides, but unfortunately the ingredients may not be much better. For more information from a nutritionist on the makeups of formula, check out this out.
Unsure on how/when to start solid foods? Check out our mega food blog with all of the how’s/when’s/what’s and why’s. Starting Solid Foods.
