Here's Hoping Folks Read More Than Headlines

My husband forwarded to me this Reuters article today. The headline startled me:

"Organic Food Is No Healthier, Study Finds."

The article basically stated that the nutrient content of organic is not substantially better than that of conventional food, so there is no reason to choose organic over conventional on the basis of nutritional superiority.

The title is really misleading - suggesting that there is no reason whatsoever to choose organic over conventional.

So let me recap five reasons to eat organic food over conventional - that have NOTHING TO DO with whatever claims these scientists are making over nutritional content:

1. It IS healthier. The fruits and vegetables are grown without pesticides and synthetic chemicals, and the dairy, meat and poultry are raised without antibiotics and growth hormones. All of these substances are harmful, particularly for children who are still developing.
2. It tastes better. Yes, this is highly subjective, so you should try it and see for yourself.
3. Organic farming protects the environment.
4. There are a ton of hidden costs with conventional foods - subsidies, health issues, chemical regulation and testing, and environmental hazard/cleanup among them - so organic foods might not be that much more expensive in the whole scheme of things.
5. You might sleep better at night knowing you are feeding your family the healthiest foods possible.