When you go to the supermarket, do you know which foods are genetically engineered? It’s okay if you don’t, as most people aren’t sure either.
It’s certainly understandable as you’re forced to remember all sorts of things when it comes to food. You’re expected to watch the fat content (primarily trans fats and saturated fats) and the amount of sodium in foods you ordinarily eat in order to stay healthy and strong.
You also need to know whether a product has anything that you or your family is allergic to in it, and so much more. So, is it really necessary to add one more thing to your already overflowing list of grocery shopping responsibilities?
In short, the answer is yes. Why?
Ultimately, you should know everything that you put into your body – from foods to supplements to anything else you choose to ingest. Your health and that of your family is in your hands, so the more you know about the items you consume, the more you’re able to make informed decisions in regard to your own health and welfare.
It’s important to understand what genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are and, perhaps most importantly, what foods you can find them in (and what foods you won’t). That way, you can make an informed decision about whether you’re comfortable feeding them to your family, and know how to avoid them if you’re not.
GMOs are food sources that have altered DNA. Essentially, “food scientists” use organisms, bacteria, or viruses to get food that has desired traits (such as disease resistance to keep the crop healthy or pesticide tolerance so it isn’t affected by insecticides and pesticides).
Farmers work to grow crops with the desired traits as well, but they rely on the natural reproductive processes of the organisms versus adding foreign genes that are engineered in the lab.
Realistically, you’ve likely been eating GMOs for quite some time and have been completely unaware of it. Scientists conducted the first GE (genetically engineered) food trials in the late 1980s, and now they’re found in approximately 65% of foods found in grocery stores across the U.S.
It is estimated that 60-70 countries currently require GMO food labeling, but the United States is not currently one of them. Some agencies and organizations are lobbying for the labeling, but as with any other legislative action, it may take some time to get an answer on this issue, as the food lobbyists in Washington, DC, who are completely against labeling, are quite powerful.
Here is a list of some of the foods you’ll find at your local supermarket that have likely been genetically modified:
Yes there are and here are a few of them:
Organic foods are not permitted to contain GMOs, so they are good choices for anyone looking to either control or eliminate the GMOs in their diet.
Unfortunately, the jury is still out on this question. Some scientists who are anti-GMO have concerns that they may cause allergy related issues, but others say that they are 100% safe to eat.
Luckily, you have quite a few options. As mentioned above, you can buy organic foods as they are GMO-free. How do you know if something is organic? One way is to become familiar with food label codes on your produce.
If it is meat that you’re concerned about, make sure the animal was 100% grass fed and look for labeling that signifies that the product is non-GM. You can also buy direct from local sources, as most GMO foods come from larger industrial food companies.
When eating out, avoid foods cooked with any oil other than olive oil, and you can always ask that the chef prepare your meal with butter instead. Order organic menu options if offered and choose homemade menu items over anything that may have been made from boxed or canned ingredients.
Because GMOs are present in a lot of processed foods, you can also cut most of them out by making your own meals from scratch (remember that some whole foods do have GMOs in them, so you’ll want to check them out prior to using them as ingredients if you’re going GMO-free). Grow your own produce and you’ll guarantee that you’re not eating GMO products.
Educate yourself as a consumer and know what you’re putting in your body. The decision is yours, so the most you can do for you and your family is make it with both eyes wide open.