Food Choices for Children - 5 More Suggestion

APRIL 23, 2006

Back to a favorite topic, food. I love to eat tasty, healthy food; who doesn't? One universal environmental principle is that people in all lands everywhere delight in sharing good food with family and friends. In this nation we have more food choices than the rest of the world combined, but sadly we also have inherited the downside of conventional agriculture as well. More diversity in our markets and more choices on our shelves have not resulted in a healthier happier population. However, look at the smile on the faces of people who choose to ask for organic.

On April 19th I listed 5 of the top 10 foods to buy organic. They were baby food, rice, strawberries, cereal, and milk.

Let us look at 5 more, and why.

1. Corn - I love corn on the cob right off the farm, but most of the corn I eat is in the form of processed foods - corn chips, corn dogs, popcorn etc. Most corn is raised conventionally with pesticides and herbicides, and the seed is often genetically modified. If you want to use the precautionary principle find the organic section.
2. Bananas - The first fruit offered to babies; most bananas come from countries where pesticide regulations are not as strict as those in our own country. I have been to the Dole plantations in Costa Rica and the big blue bags they use to cover the hand (the big bunch) of bananas when they are on the tree is filled with pesticides. Granted you peel the skin, but the nasties are really nasty with nasty sounding names like benomyl and chlorpyrifos. Dole offers a great organic banana now.
3. Green beans - My grandmother used to say 'if it is green it has to be good for you.' I guess that was the justification for the spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and green beans on the plate. Once again buying conventionally grown vegetables requires a extra measure of washing before eating, whereas the organic variety can be eater with confidence.
4. Peaches - Apples - Grapes - Raisins I lump these all together because pesticide residue is common and the organic fruits taste better anyway.

The issue is not about scaring the public but making us all aware that there are alternatives. What is the price of a child's health? Cost should not be an issue with our youngest and the lobbying of mothers who chose organic baby foods and products for their children should be on-going.

The most important instrument at home for maintaining a good environmental ethic is the fork.

Contact the environmental working group at www.ewg.org to see what the latest advice is offered about the food we serve our very young.

--Peter