The importance of the right nutrition cannot be upon emphasised enough.Good nutrition gives your mind and body the fuel it requires. It keeps almost 95% of diseases at bay. I truly believe that providing our bodies with  clean nutrition is the initial stepping stone to a healthier lifestyle. 

While we all try to inculcate a healthy diet into our lifestyle, we must not neglect the kind of products that we intake. I feel we often neglect the source and origin of our products, which is imperative to acknowledge on our part. In order to replenish our  bodies, we absolutely cannot forget our responsibility to the Earth and other mortal lives on the planet. Being conscious and aware of where our food products come from is undoubtedly our  responsibility. 

 

Organic Produce

 

“Organic” refers to how vegetables and fruits are grown and farmed. Organic produce is grown in specially dedicated farms, with organic farming practices. Over the last two decades, the concept of organic farming has gained immense popularity amongst health-conscious individuals. There are numerous health blogs and experts promoting the use of organic produce, but lets us talk about why using organic produce is so vital for our health. 

 

How is Organic produce beneficial for us?

• Organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers, hormones or GMOs.
•  It is free of additives and preservatives.

• No artificial means are used to enhance the produce, such as colouring, sweeteners, or flavouring.

• Natural fertilisers and manure is used to farm organic produce.

• It is proven that organically grown produce has more nutrients and is rich in Vitamins and antioxidants.

• Livestock raised organically is not injected with growth hormones or antibiotics thus, making their milk highly nutritious. 

• Organically raised livestock is kept in a comparatively free, healthier environment and is grazed on pastures.

• Organic produce delivered to your homes or bought in stores tends to be fresher and stay fresher for a longer period as there are no added preservatives.

 

I personally feel we should all switch to organically grown produce as it is evidently better for our health, the well-being of animals, and moreover the ecosystem. Cost can be a concern for a lot of us, when it comes to buying organic. But honestly, in the longer run, you will find spending on organic produce is way better than spending time and money on health issues later on.

  

Sustainable Nutrition

 

Another aspect of being conscious about our health and the environment, along with consuming organic produce is Sustainable nutrition. Sustainable nutrition is a concept of attaining sufficient food from the food system while not straining the ecosystem and making sure that the nutritional needs of the coming generations are met.

I believe it is our responsibility to be better human beings and engage in sustainable practices to ensure ample nutrition sources for everyone and make conscious choices about how we consume food. We should consider adopting sustainable diets that have a minimal impact on the environment and are still accessible as well as affordable. Sustainable diets aim at easing environmental pressures, while also promoting our mental, social, and physical health and welfare. 

  

What does a Sustainable diet include?

 

Looking at the challenges of growing number of diseases, malnutrition cases, environmental degradation, and resource depletion, the World Health Organisation presented some guiding principles for a sustainable diet and what it should consist of:-

 

• Whole grains, legumes, nuts and a variety of organically grown fruits and vegetables.

• Moderate amounts of dairy, poultry, fish and eggs, however, I personally encourage going dairy free.

• Food fulfilling the adequate need for nutrients and energy.

• Minimal use of hormones and antibiotics in food production.

• Reduction in  food waste and loss.

• Safe drinking water.

• Minimising the use of plastics and derivatives in food packaging and storing.

In my opinion, the idea of organic as well as sustainable nutrition go hand in hand, and more importantly considering the current scenario, organic and sustainable nutrition is the way to go. It is not only paramount to eat organic produce, but also to be aware of how the food reaches us and if it is sustainable and environmentally friendly or not. We need to be more conscious of our actions and food consumption patterns to maintain a biological and ecological balance.