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Organic food for baby – should or should not?

Organic food for baby has soared in interest the last years. Is it better and more healthy? Read these 12 foods you should start with and why.

Organic food for baby is a topic that has soared in interest during the past several years. Parents have become more concerned about the potential effects pesticide residues might have on their baby’s health.

The most basic definition of organically grown food is that it is produced without the addition of synthetic chemicals. That includes fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Also without the addition of hormones such as bovine growth hormone and antibiotics. It has also not been genetically engineered. To carry the official “organic” label in the United States, food must be grown according to a set of uniform standards approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

But does an organic seal mean that a food tastes better or is more nutritious than something that’s been traditionally grown? Not necessarily, and that’s why you shouldn’t feel that a non-organic diet is unhealthy.

Currently, science can’t tell us whether organic foods are more nutritious than non-organic ones. So if buying organic foods is cost prohibitive, you shouldn’t feel guilty.

Organic food for baby? Start with this.

Just by making your baby’s meals from scratch, you’re giving her a tremendous advantage in life. Your efforts should be applauded! Likewise, if organic is your way of life or if you’d like to just try incorporating some organically grown foods into your baby’s diet, more power to you.

If you do plan on buying some organic ingredients to incorporate into your baby’s meals, our advice is to first focus on purchasing the organic counterparts of produce that are most heavily treated with pesticides (see list below). Reason being, children are at greater risk from pesticide residues than adults because they typically eat more produce per pound of body weight than adults do.

Based on research from the USDA and the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Working Group has ranked produce by its pesticide content. from highest to lowest. So when grocery shopping, it’s best to buy organic varieties of the following foods:

  • Peaches
  • Strawberries
  • Apples
  • Cherries
  • Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Kale/Collard Greens
  • Celery
  • Potatoes
  • Nectarines
  • Imported Grapes
  • Blueberries
  • Spinach

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