Topic: Organic or non-organic

[Andy Dick]

I figured it would be interesting to get opinions of food intakes and see where some other lifters/coaches weigh in on the organic and non-organic foods debate in regards to athletes and lifters.  A lady at my work swears by all organic foods, she claims that if you do not eat non-organic foods you are going to mess up your recovery because your body has to work 2x harder to recover because it has to remove all the toxins from the body.  I always go from the philosophy that it doesn't matter where to food comes from as long as the athlete gets enough of the required nutrients (carbs, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) to sustain activity and improve performance.

What do you think?

[Tom Sherwood]

I agree more with the lady. If your serious about your training and have the money to buy the natural or organic food I would do it. Its nothing magic but i think it helps in the long run especially with your immune system and feeling better mentally and physically. Which leads to positive training and better results IMO

[Matt Rupiper]

Research!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32205139/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

People should stop going off their opinion/anecdotal evidence and look to where things really are...if more people did, there would be a LOT less riff raff (i.e. acupuncture, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, outlandish claims by massage therapists, etc)

So, organic or not....?

[Matt Erdman]

Organic = more nutrients, so obviously it is a better choice. Of course the first step is to make sure you are eating a good amount of veggies in the first place, then worry about organic.

Lacto-fermenting increases enzymes, vitamins, and bio-availability. It's the best way to get more bang for your buck. Just invest $8 in some jars.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Seriously, I would avoid the Bovine steroid supplemented milk products....they are banned in Canada, Mexico, and several other Nations but sold here in fascist America with no disclaimer and no knowledge by the public. It causes cancer. Get the hormone free milk or organic milk. Or, drink alcohol like our Founders did. :)

[Mike Cook]

Since organic means no man-made pesticides and no man-made herbicides, organically grown foods will have more pests and weeds, and therefore, more likely to have more bacteria than food grown conventionally, using the best available pesticides and herbicides.  Maybe you get more protein content if you eat an organically grown apple with some worms in it than a conventionally grown apple without the worms.  I don't buy organic foods.  I think it is all hype.

Chris, are you advocating for more governmental regulation of dairy products in the form of prohibiting bovine steroid supplementation?  Or more governmental regulation by requiring more disclaimers on packaging?  I thought you generally were for less government regulation of the private sector, not more.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I am for NO government regulation of any aspect of the economy- laissez-faire. It is the fascist state of affairs in the USA which is suppressing the information about the bovine steroid use through corporate ownership of the media, and encouraging its use through government subsidizes, manipulation of the tax code, regulation, etc. Further, the push for the use of bovine steroids in milk comes from the UN's agenda 21. Scary stuff there. Such things would be quickly punished in a FREE market, by "consumers."

[James Register]

I can't understand the laissez-faire mindset.  Let the bankers make more money and the lower paid hard workers starve?

I think there was some research recentlay challenging the organic hype.  The headline over here was Organic 'has no health benefits'.