ORGANIC, GMO/NON-GMO, CONVENTIONAL~ UNDERSTANDING THESE DIETARY TERMS
ORGANIC, GMO/NON-GMO, CONVENTIONAL~ UNDERSTANDING THESE DIETARY TERMS
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
There are so many different terms when deciding what to eat that it can be confusing. There are also many different opinions on what is good for you and what to avoid, depending on who you ask. Let’s go over the most common terms and get an understanding of what exactly they are, that way you can make the best choice for you and your wellness goals.
ORGANIC is probably one of the most widely known and sometimes misunderstood wellness terms. You will usually find organic is also non-GMO, however it’s often not noting as both on a label. There are many ways for something to be considered organic, as well as different classifications of organic. These classifications include 100% organic, organic, made with organic and organic ingredients. To be certified organic, there is a specific process that is involved. Farmers keep detailed records and must adhere to strict guidelines to have an organic certification, as the product should be easily traced “from farm to table”. Some of these guidelines include, but are not limited to, quality of soil, water and feed (for livestock), living space (for livestock), appropriate vaccines and the absence of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides.
NON-GMO is a food or product that has not been genetically modified. These foods or products are as in a pure form as they are intended to be in nature. They are free of being genetically altered which may have negative effects on our health and well-being. Invite Health products are NON-GMO and they ALL go through a high standard of quality control testing and are cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) certified.
CONVENTIONAL is also often referred to as GMO (genetically modified) foods. Some of the most common foods and ingredients on the market that are genetically modified include corn, canola oil and soybeans. Conventional foods or products often are contaminated with such things as pesticides which can be a contributing factor to some diseases. GMOs may be a contributing factor in increasing ones risk of such health related issues like allergies and cancer.
Green Tea Tx is a concentrated green tea. It is both organically sourced, non-GMO and decaffeinated. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant that can be beneficial for a wide variety of health concerns. It has been shown to help lower risk of heart disease, is helpful for diabetics and supports weight loss. Green tea is also good for healthy skin as it has anti-inflammatory benefits. I like to add 2-4 droppers to a glass of water each day.
Organic Greens Plus Hx is a powder that can be added to water for easy consumption each day. It supplies organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, fiber and even a probiotic blend. It provides nourishment and digestive support for optimal wellness. I like to recommend a scoop in water in the afternoon as a “pick-me-up” treat.
I hope this has cleared up some of these terms as to what they actually mean and how they may effect ones health. In my experience, I choose non-GMO (first) and organic (second) when it’s available. However, it’s not a perfect system. I do always recommend whole, real foods as opposed to processed. For example, I’d rather someone use conventional fresh vegetables instead of organic canned vegetables. One’s personal budget is to be considered as well. For instance, using conventional ingredients for meals would be better than the organic and/or non-GMO processed foods. While fresh non-GMO and/or organic is best, I always recommend conventional, even if it’s GMO, fresh fruit over the organic cookies. This is a great example of where “just because it’s organic, doesn’t mean it’s better or even healthy”. How will you incorporate these terms into your daily wellness plan?
www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/organic-basics
www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324576#summary
www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/food-genetically-modified
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019963/
www.worldfoodinformation.com/organic-vs-conventional-deep-dive/
www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-green-tea
