5 Organic Foods Every Woman Should Eat

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Dr. Alan Greene

Monday, July 20, 2009

In case you didn’t catch my article in Glamour magazine, here’s a summary of what I consider to be the most important organic switches every woman should make, if she eats these foods.

• Yogurt: Most women don’t drink a lot of milk, but I know you’re reaching for yogurt in the dairy case when you need a snack on the go. Organic yogurts don’t contain added hormones and antibiotics and can have higher levels of omega-3s. Organic dairy products are not only good for our bodies – they can be much less damaging to the environment. Watch more about organic dairy choices….

• Super Salads: Conventional lettuce has some of the highest levels of pesticides of any food. Choose fresh organic greens as a salad base, then slice in organic veggies to add color and vitamins. You’ll benefit from almost an extra serving of fruits and vegetables a day when you choose organic greens because organic has as much as 25 percent more antioxidants.

• An Organic Apple a Day: Apples are second only to bananas on our fruit shopping lists, but most people don’t know they can contain toxic pesticides and organophosphates, even when they’re peeled. Choose organic apples as well as nectarines, peaches, pears, strawberries, cherries and imported grapes, as all these fruit are more vulnerable to pesticides. Watch more on apples….

• You Say Tomato, I Say Organic: The average American consumes about 90 pounds of tomatoes a year, mostly in sauces and catsup. Organic tomatoes have significantly more lycopene, an antioxidant that may lower cancer and heart disease risks and may do other wonderful things. Watch more on catsup….

• Organic – It’s What’s for Dinner: Grass-fed beef is usually leaner than conventional beef and can contain about 5 times the good omega-3 fats. And choosing free-range beef promotes farming practices that help our environment as well. Watch more on beef…

• Bonus – Red, Red Wine: Scientists were happy to discover the health benefits of drinking a moderate amount of red wine. Resveratrol, an antioxidant in the skin of red grapes, might help slow aging, prevent cancer and do other wonderful things. Organic wines can average about 32 percent more reservatrol and go splendidly with a nice organic marinara and organic salad. Watch more on red wines….

Want more organic recommendations for the whole family? Click here for Dr. Greene’s Organic Prescription.

Dr. Alan Greene, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, Attending Pediatrician at Packard Children's Hospital, Founder of DrGreene.com, and Author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care.

Originally posted at DrGreene.com on March 17, 2009. As research is on-going, you may want to check several sources for the latest information.

Posted by Lilly Bowman on 04/19/2011 at 06:02 AM

Thanks for the great information Dr. Alan Greene its really helpful for any woman I will remember your advice.

Regards
Lilly Bowman

Posted by Yasar on 07/22/2009 at 02:22 AM

Thanks, this is a great web site.

Posted by NatureGirl on 07/21/2009 at 07:36 PM

I remember being vegetarian during my childbirth, but gave in to the milk message my OB/GYM was advocating because, as she explained organic dairy contain short-chain fatty acids that are difficult to get from any other source. That’s when it was difficult to find organic dairy, I remember driving to Berkeley to find it. Thankfully, it’s easier to find in most major supermarkets.

Even 13 years ago, organic seemed a speciality, an option for the hippies. Today, I feel it’s nearly required to help balance the amount of toxins pregnant women are exposed to.

Great advice!

Posted by Kairol on 07/21/2009 at 09:57 AM

I am a cancer patient and author of Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s. I am often asked by young cancer patients what the best thing is to do for their diets. My reply is to take into consideration the time you have for special meal preparation, your budget, and the availability of quality produce and meats in your area. I think this list is a great one. I personally don’t eat dairy as my immune system runs better without it. Instead I make sure I get my calcium from other forms like greens.

Best,
blog - http://everythingchangesbook.com/

Posted by smilinggreenmom on 07/21/2009 at 06:33 AM

Oh thank you so much! I just watched your video on the organic milk and really see the extra money is worth the investment! Our son has suffered from severe food allergies and Eczema and we could not find relief for him in conventional meds…he has been helped with his Vidazorb probiotic! During this time of struggle for our family, we learned a lot about nutrition and the choices we make about foods and their effects on our body. I love this and just tweeted you!

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