More Does Matter
and so does organic
September 2009 |
Reprinted with permission from Taste For Life

In the digital age, color films like Kodachrome may be retired, but you can still enjoy vibrant color every day, just by filling your plate and lunchbox with these amazing foods.

Black beans, purple grapes, orange sweet potatoes, yellow corn, red watermelon, green spinach, and indigo-hued blueberries—eat your way across the rainbow for good health. Research has linked vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients from plant foods with weight management and reduced risk for many diseases.

good for you and the planet
Organic foods are increasingly available in supermarkets. Why choose them? One word comes to mind: integrity. Foods grown and handled organically maintain their soundness; wholesome and complete, they’re nature’s best.

National organic standards define strict adherence to specific practices used to grow and process organic foods. Organic farming maintains and replenishes soil fertility naturally, without toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Foods that earn the “USDA Organic” seal or other approved labeling are produced without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Minimal processing with no added artificial ingredients or preservatives maintains the integrity of organic foods.

health, energy, great taste, and more
The fiber in fruits and veggies fills and satisfies you and keeps things running smoothly. And a happy digestive tract means more energy. Folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C are all important for good health, and science is still discovering the new benefits of plant compounds. For taste and variety, fruits and veggies can’t be beat. Uncle Sam wants you to eat more too, so for quick recipes, tips, the recommended daily amounts, and more, visit the government’s Fruits and Veggies—More Matters website at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

selected sources

• "Organic Agriculture and Production,” www.ota.com, 2007 
• "Why Fruits and Vegetables?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov, 6/09uman Health Outcomes” by P. C. Calder and P. Yaqoob, Biofactors, 5–6/09