There’s some confusion in the world about exactly what “organic” means – in fact, it means less than you think. Organic food – essentially food certified that it was made without pesticides – can still be junk food, and can still be unhealthy. Mark Bittman has a great article this week about how the “organic” buzz word tricks people into thinking organic food must be healthy.
It’s a no-brainer if you really think about it: how can organic cookies, made with real sugar and butter by a company that can afford an expensive government certification, be healthier than a tomato grown without pesticides by a small farmer who can’t afford a certification, or even a conventional (non-organic) tomato grown with pesticides? But the word “organic” has come to signify health in our minds, even as it’s being diluted by companies that practice the letter of the organic certification without the spirit, which would involve a more holistic view of creating healthy food.
I agree with Bittman on the best way to improve your health and the environment: cook more. Use fresh, unprocessed ingredients. Get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. If cooking seems too hard or time-consuming, check out the posts below for some quick and easy, relatively healthy meals.