I came across this photo and had to laugh, pretty hard. Because it’s the truth. I was in the middle of a conversation via twitter about GMO foods when this question came my way:
“Do you think people complaining about #GMOs have a doublespeak, consuming unhealthily over-processed food?”
My response? Yes, from my experience, I think some do. Organic junk food is still… junk food.
Case in point:
The Claim: “USDA organic”
The Truth: It’s organic so it must be healthy, right? Not so much. For an extra 60 cents per box, consumers save 20 calories and 1 gram of fat. They also gain 2 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fiber, and 50 milligrams of sodium and they lose 6 percent of their daily iron. The point is, even organic junk food is still junk food. Your body processes organic refined flour and powdered cheese the same way it does conventional, so at the end of the day it’s still a high-calorie, low-nutrient letdown.
I had my fair share of Kraft Mac and Cheese as a kid, but the fact that it wasn’t “USDA Organic” isn’t what made it a less-than-healthy food option. We can argue our points all day about labels, and production methods, and size of farms, but when it comes down to it, highly processed foods, are still highly processed foods. That package of almost-vegan, organic oreos is still a box of sugar. Sorry PETA, this includes your list of vegan snacks too.
Don’t let labels dictate what you perceive as better food choices. Junk foods in any form are not the best food options when aiming for a healthy diet. Maybe it’s not things like Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in our plants, or antibiotics, hormones, or feed additives given to our animals that are our biggest concerns. More often than not, maybe we just need to get back to the kitchen, learn how to cook again, and take a little more personal responsibility in our food choices. Labels make us lazy.
Now, who’s up for a boneless banana?
