Changing our lifestyle to include all of the ethical, green, animal-friendly or healthy options available these days can be a bit daunting. 

Switching to organic food is the easiest way to make a big impact on your health, your baby’s and the planet’s, as this method of farming ticks all the above boxes.

If you’re one of those people who think of organic food as either a scam or an unaffordable low priority, please read on. 

Here are 4 simple reasons which I hope will convince you that organic food is not a fad, nor is it a luxury item. 

It is simply how food is supposed to be grown.

Various independent comprehensive studies have concluded that there is overwhelming evidence that organic food is more nutritious and includes higher levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium as well as trace minerals such as boron, selenium, manganese and phytonutrients.

Most of these micronutrients and phytochemicals are essential for just about every biochemical reaction in the body as they act as catalyst enzymes. 

They are also powerful antioxidants which are essential for optimal health, and help us fight degenerative diseases such as cancer. 

I see daily deficiencies in these trace nutrients in my natural fertility clinic in Melbourne. 

They manifest as hormonal problems, PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, prolonged labour, stretchmarks, post-natal depression, malformations, gestational diabetes as well as a host of other issues from insomnia to headaches. 

While I’m not saying this is the only cause for these issues, remineralisation of the individual along with lifestyle changes and appropriate herbs is often all that is required to rectify the problem.

Conventional farming adds macrominerals to impoverished soil as well as lots of nitrogen, which causes quick and lush growth in vegetables, resulting in a higher water content and therefore fewer nutrients (have you ever wondered why organic vegetables and fruit often look smaller? It’s because they’re not swollen with water!).

Conventional, non organic farming uses a wide variety of pesticides to control insects in vegetable, fruit, wheat, and other crops. 

Approximately 30 000 tonnes of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators are used each year in Australia. 

Though chemical residues are approved individually for safety levels, the testing for these chemicals is woefully inadequate as we really have no idea of the combined effects of multiple compounds when ingesting a normal range of fruit and veg. 

Organophosphate pesticides are currently the most widely used insecticides in Australia, and residues are found on the majority of conventional fruit and vegetables. 

Many of these pesticides are known as hormone disruptors as well as carcinogens, and have been associated by scientific studies with fallopian tube damage, impaired fertility, sperm DNA abnormalities (which can lead to recurrent miscarriages and/or malformations), autoimmune responses, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental problems in children.

Despite reassuring statements from government organisations about the safety of these pesticide residues, I strongly  believe that non organic produce is unsafe to eat at any time, but particularly during preconception care, pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood. 

Why? From my point of view, it’s easy to put two and two together. Organophosphates have been shown to cross the placental barrier, and residues have been found in meconium (baby’s first poo) and breastmilk. 

These chemicals are lipophilic, which means they can cross the lipid barrier that surrounds our cells. They can be stored in fat cells for years. A baby’s brain and nervous system are composed of fats… you see where I’m going with this? 

On the other hand, organically farming has to follow strict regulations which prevent the use of conventional pesticides, chemical fertilizers and routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers as well prohibit the use on GMOs in animal feed. 

Animal cruelty is also prohibited and a truly free-range life for farm animals is guaranteed.

Currently no independent testing of the long-term health effects of GMO foods on humans has been carried out.

The various exemptions from GE labelling laws in Australia make it impossible to know which grocery items use GMO-derived ingredients. Certified organic foods are a great way to avoid GMOs.

Buying organic food also promotes a healthy environment by reducing chemical run-off and residues in drinking water, waterways and coastal areas, which is the main cause of diminishing marine life, animals and plants. 

Organic farms also promote biodiversity, with, on average, 30% more species and 50% more wildlife like birds, butterflies and bees. 

Australian Government 2009, ‘Labelling of GM foods’, www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au

Astroff, AB & Young AD, 1998 ‘The relationship between maternal and fetal effects following maternal organophosphate exposure during gestation in the rat, Toxicology & Industrial Health, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 869-889.

Guney, M, Oral, B, Demirin, H, Take, G et al 2007, ‘Fallopian damage induced by organophosphate insecticide methyl parathion, and protective effect of vitamins E and C on ultrastructural changes in rats’, Toxicology & Industrial Health, no. 23, pp.429-438. 

Soil Association UK 2009, ‘Health’, www.soilassociation.org

Whyatt, R & Barr, DB 2001, ‘Measurement of Organophosphate Metabolites in Postpartum Meconium as a Potential Biomarker of Prenatal Exposure: A Validation Study’, Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 109, no. 4, pp. 417–420 

Worthington, V 2001, ‘Nutritional quality of organic versus conventional fruits, vegetables, and grains, The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, vol. 7, no. 2, pp.161-173.