Healthy Eating
Choosing organics? The best way to start incorporating organic produce into your family diet is to know which foods are high in pesticides so you can avoid them and buy organic ones instead. Kids Play Central has created a Produce High in Pesticides & Produce Low in Pesticides chart for you to print out and laminate so you can take it with you on grocery trips.
Smart Choices:
- Organic - foods labeled "organic" must meet certain USDA guidelines in order to receive organic certification. Foods must be grown without pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering, and other excluded practices and processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation.
- Locally Grown - foods that are fresh and in-season in your area. Not picked too early to ripen on the truck, local foods also travel shorter distances, saving fuel.
- Whole Grain - make an easy switch by purchasing multi-grain and whole wheat pasta and breads for more fiber, which supports healthy cholesterol and balanced blood-sugar levels.
Buyer Beware:
- Trans-fats and hydrogenated oils (margarine, packaged foods)
- Nitrates (bacon, deli meats)
- Antibiotics and added growth hormones (meat and poultry, dairy)
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Artificial sweeteners
- Artificial colors
- Artificial flavors
Read the label! Watch out for food claims such as "25% less sugar than the leading brands." I've found some of these packaged foods are just as sweet tasting but 25% of the regular sugar has been replaced with artificial sweeteners.
"Natural" does not mean "organic."
Better School Food: "smarter brains, stronger kids, healthier planet."
Eat Wild: Find 800+ pasture-based farms in USA that sell meat, eggs, and dairy products directly to consumers.
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Food Allergy Mama
Food Research and Action Center: Fighting hunger in America.
Local Harvest: Directory of small farms, farmers' markets, and other local food sources.
Meal Makeover Moms
Meals Matter: Recipes, meal planning.
National Farm to School Network: "connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and supporting local small farmers."
Nutrition Data: Nutrition facts and calorie counter. Even fast food!
Pantry Makeover by Whole Foods Market.
Pick Your Own: where to find PYO fruit and vegetable farms and Christmas tree farms.
Seafood Choices: Choose the best and worst seafood.
Smart Mouth: Exposes how the food industry's drive for profit affects what you eat, a calorie meter that helps you see how your favorite foods stack up, and other surprising info about what you eat.
Tiny Tummies: Healthy foods and recipes for babies and toddlers.
USDA Food Pyramid: Now updated for individuals. Type in your age, gender, and activity level.
See also Recipes page. |
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