Is Organic food a con? Why does it cost more...

[ZuperNev]

Govt says there is no difference in normal supermarket food or organic produce. How can this be true that the nutrient values are similar? Is anything fresh anymore? What is your experience of trying to eat organic over everyday foods? Mostly looking at fruit, veg and freshly made meals (baking too).

[PhilFreeToAsk]

I am not convinced that the government can really assess the benefit of organic food. What criteria do they use? Previous recommendations by the government change over time. The recent discovery about glysophates being found in food when we were assured that it is completely broken down. There are some reports linking glysophates with cancer.

Have you ever read a report that suggests any link with organic food and health scare?

I would use your own common sense that suggests organic food should be healthier and don't rely on any government report. It is well known that it is better for the environment. An area of major concern in non-organic meat's use of antibiotics and growth hormones.

Organic food is nearly always going to be more expensive. However, organic porridge oats are inexpensive. Compare the price, quality and healthiness to sugar laden branded cereal. It will seem like good value. Although organic brown rice is more expensive but when you consider how many meals can be made from a packet.

I make my own organic muesli using the same ingredients as non-organic supermarket packaged muesli is about 25% cheaper.

Organic fruit and veg are expensive in comparison. Sometimes over 100% more in price. That does put me off buying some organic produce.

[ZuperNev in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

Brilliant answer Phil,

What is your muesli recipe? Does the saving come from the bulk bought vs packet costs over time? Usually getting all the ingredients can rack up in short term say £6-10 but equivalent weight/quality would be £12-20.

The govt also sanctioned use of animal remains into animal feed for BSE and non-one was taken to task for allowing that. So we know they don't always tell the truth or half-truth so yes common-sense seems sensible. However, with all the constant propaganda confusing things it makes choices difficult for those not willing to do their homework.

Having watched how organic and non-organic food is grown and stored it is really difficult to see how they are even close to being the same when consumed. You can always tell fresh natural produce when you taste but it seems harder to find now.

Thanks again.

[PhilFreeToAsk in reply to ZuperNev]

I use Queenswood foods for my Muesli base, Pumpkin and Sunflowers seeds (all organic) and Sainsburys almond flakes (non-organic). The Muesli base is made from oats, wheat and barley flakes and Jumbo oats. I prepare a mixture in the following ratio (dictated by the size of my container):

• Muesli - 300g (68%)

• Pumpkin seeds - 35g (8%)

• Sunflower seeds - 40g (9%)

• Flaked Almonds - 65g (15%).

Total cost of this mixture is under £2. I buy the muesli and seeds in 500g packs.

I don't eat dried fruits. I wanted a balanced mixture that had slow release carbs and a breakfast rich in minerals & vitamins and healthy fats.

For a price comparison, I looked at Alpen (No added sugar). On reflection quoting a price comparison is hard as Alpen does not have any seeds or as many nuts plus it bulks up with skimmed milk, raisins and barley extract. However, I am confident that what I suggested can still be made cheaper than Alpen with better ingredients which I think makes a healthier product.

[ZuperNev in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

so no berries either? Like your style otherwise. Thought you were spending more

[PhilFreeToAsk in reply to ZuperNev]

Thanks about mentioning berries. I agree that adding fresh fruit like strawberries would be a good addition. I make up for the lack of fruit at breakfast with fruit during the day.

For medical reasons, I stick to a really good low GI breakfast. I want to start with slowly absorbed carbs that doesn't raise my blood sugar quickly. I won't eat dried fruit like raisins which is has a very high GI value.

The muesli that I eat for breakfast costs about 20-22p per portion. Organic Porridge is about 10-12p per portion not including heating. Quite surprising.

[Tibblington in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

Oh dear PhilFreeToAsk, why oh why are you using skimmed milk (am I understanding you correctly?) when the rest of your food is so good. It should not be called milk because it isn't, it's a product made from milk which has had all the goodies taken out of it. You need the fat soluble vitamins, they are not dangerous as was previously publicised. There are suppliers of whole,organic, raw milk near London, you can find them on the Internet.

I too make my own muesli but enjoy it with grapefruit juice; I just like the sharp taste. Tibbly

[PhilFreeToAsk in reply to Tibblington]

I was making the point that Alpen uses skimmed milk. I add just water to my home made muesli to moisten it. I tried Soya Milk but I did not really enjoy it.

In fact, I don't drink milk at all - it just did not agree with me. The only dairy products that I have are Yeo's high fat Greek Yoghurt and the odd bit of butter.

[Tibblington in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

Thanks for the explanation, I had no idea that Alpen had milk powder included.

[Jmrose in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

Organic.org will list the "Dirty Dozen" foods you should really eat organic and the "Clean Fifteen" foods that are okay not eating organic.

[albinohedgehog]

Well trust the govt to have a narrowminded view. Perhaps the nutrient content is the same but there are other considerations, like the toxicity of pesticides and fertilisers, the taste of the food (which is often better in organic) and last but not least the ethical and environmental side of things. I dont buy much organic food due to the cost, but always try to buy organic celery, carrots and courgettes as they are fairly cheap, and taste better to me. I also used to buy organic milk when i bought dairy, as the baby cows get 3 months with their mothers, instead of 1 day as with non-organic milk. Also i dont eat much starchy food now but i agree that oats and rice are worth buying organic, as they have such large surface areas and we eat alot of them.

Also i think that nobody knows what these pesticides are doing to our bodies in the long run, wheareas we already know that food grown naturally is as safe as possible. Even if the pesticides arent actually causing seriois diseases, the chemicals they contain are still another thing that our bodies have to get rid of.

Anyway, off my organic soap box now!

☺

[ZuperNev in reply to albinohedgehog]

Love it

[Tibblington in reply to albinohedgehog]

Hello albinohedgehog, I enjoyed your well reasoned reply and agree with all you say. I will willingly share your soap box with you.

While on the subject of the government and their recommendations, there is a U.K. funded Government body called Public Health England with a team of managers all earning well over £150,00, in fact the CEO Duncan Selbie gets £200,000. They convene a committee called the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) of the twenty three professors and other 'experts' only six have no vested interests. They are all there, Unilever, Nestlé and the sugar people to name but a few.

Wonderful to know that you are getting organic milk too; we get our milk from the farm.

You are another enlightened contributor. Best wishes, Tibbly.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

ZuperNev,

Have you gone to a Farmers Market for fresh veggies and fruits? They tend to last a few days longer than the ones sold in stores.

[ZuperNev in reply to Activity2004]

I do buy from street markets when possible

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to ZuperNev]

I love Farmers Market food.

[Whitmore]

Farmers market always xx

[Jestar]

All i know when i eat non-organic tomatoes they are tasteless compared to organic tomatoe's juicey flavor and that's the truth.

[Tibblington in reply to Jestar]

Yes Jestar, it is the truth. As I have just said in earlier post, give me two carrots of which one is organic and the other non organic and I will be able to tell which is which. Tibbly

[ZuperNev]

Have you noticed the cost of food creeping up?

Food phoney fake news with Avocados too...