Health aNd Fitness Guide

Organic food is produced without using artificial chemical fertilizers and pesticides — the way it was when man began growing crops. Organic crops — cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, spices — are not subjected to food irradiation and do not use genetic modification. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth-hormones. Even the use of veterinary drugs is generally avoided or minimized except for genuine remedial care.

Organic produce tastes so much better. Fruits and vegetables are full of juice and flavor. They are also more nutritious, containing about 50 per cent more vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Since organic produce is not covered in artificial pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers, it is safer.

Organic foods usually cost more — sometimes as much as 50-100 per cent — because organic farming is labor intensive, and the yield is less.