Health Home Tips

[Guest guest]

Tip 2: Go organic and eat fresh foods

_http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-02?utm_source=tips2 & utm_medium=email & u

tm_content=second-link & utm_campaign=kid-health_

(http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-02?utm_source=tips2 & utm_medium=email & utm_c\

ontent=second-link & utm_c

ampaign=kid-health)

 

 

Most people prefer their foods free of pesticides and toxic chemicals, for

obvious reasons. Pesticides and toxic chemicals are increasingly linked to

serious health problems – especially for our children, whose developing

bodies are more vulnerable to chemical exposures.

We'd like to believe that our government is policing the safety of our

food and the containers it comes in, but it’s not.

Our advice is to limit your family’s exposure to:

_1. Pesticides. Buy organic or low-pesticide fruits and veggies_

(http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-02?utm_source=tips2 & utm_medium=email & utm_c\

ontent

=second-link & utm_campaign=kid-health#avoidpesticides)

_2. Two common toxic chemicals - BPA and PFCs - by avoiding food

containers that contaminate_

(http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-02?utm_source=tips2 & utm_medium=email & utm_c\

ontent=second-link & utm_campaign=kid-health#BPAandPFCs

)

_3. Growth hormones by choosing more natural meat and dairy products_

(http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-02?utm_source=tips2 & utm_medium=email & utm_c\

o

ntent=second-link & utm_campaign=kid-health#Growthhormones)

1. Why should you avoid pesticides?

Years of research have shown different pesticides to be associated with a

variety of health problems, including:

* Cancer

* Hormone disruption

* Abnormal brain and nervous system development

Young children and pregnant women are especially at risk. Pesticides are

unique among chemicals released into the environment because they are toxic

by design. Their sole purpose is to kill living or“pests†- insects,

plants and fungi.

How to avoid pesticides on your food

* Buy organic when you can. Organic produce is grown without

pesticides, so when you eat it you’re not also eating toxic chemicals. As it

should be.

* Don’t use pesticides to grow your own food. More and more

Americans have backyard and community gardens. _Use natural techniques_

(http://www.beyondpesticides.org/organicfood/gardening/index.htm) – not

pesticides - to

manage pests.

* When you can’t buy organic, buy less-contaminated conventional

produce. Every year EWG ranks popular fruits and vegetables based on the

amount of pesticide residues found on them. For example, apples and peaches top

our “Dirty Dozen†list, so buy those organic, but sweet corn, peas and

watermelon are all in the “Clean 15,†so you can feel better about buying

those raised conventionally.

* Download the guide and the handy iPhone app at _FoodNews.org._

(http://www.foodnews.org/) _Donate and we'll send you a fridge magnet, too._

(https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1144/t/8838/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_

KEY=4572)

2. Avoid containers and packaging that contaminate food with two common

toxic chemicals - BPA and PFCs.

Buy fresh to minimize packaging

EWG recommends eating foods that have been processed as little as

possible. Processing techniques detract from nutritional value, and chemicals

from

food packaging can leach into what you’re eating. For food packaging we

recommend avoiding bisphenol A (BPA) and the Teflon and Scotchgard family of

perfluorochemicals (PFCs).

What is BPA and why should you avoid it?

Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a synthetic estrogen used to harden

polycarbonate plastics (like some baby and water bottles) and in the epoxy

resin used can linings. It was found in the bodies of 93 percent of the

Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control. In laboratory tests trace

BPA exposure been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and trigger a wide

variety of disorders, including chromosomal and reproductive system

abnormalities, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, adult-onset diabetes,

obesity

and resistance to chemotherapy.

As with many toxic chemicals, infants and young children are at the

greatest risk of harm because their bodies are still developing. The National

Toxicology Program has expressed concern that children’s exposure to BPA may

lead to problems with brain and reproductive system development and

behavior.

Limit your exposure to BPA from canned foods and plastic containers

* Canned foods. _Almost all canned foods (including canning jars)

sold in the U.S. have a BPA-based epoxy liner_

(http://www.ewg.org/reports/bisphenola) that can leach BPA into the food

inside. Pregnant women and

young children, especially, should limit their consumption of canned foods to

avoid BPA. Here’s how:

* If you’re feeding your baby infant formula, use powdered formula

because it has the least BPA. If you’re set on liquid formula, choose a

brand sold in plastic and avoid ready-to-eat formula, which has the highest

levels. _Read more from EWG on safely feeding your baby._

(http://www.ewg.org/babysafe)

* Buy fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned.

* For canned veggies and fruits, choose glass bottles where

available; the lids may contain BPA but less than cans.

* For canned beans, consider choosing Eden Foods brand _because the

cans are BPA-free._

(http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/07/eden-foods-a-bpa-free-pioneer.html) Or soak

and cook dried beans – it’s a little more work but

also less expensive.

* In a pinch, rinsing canned fruit or vegetables may reduce the

amount of BPA you ingest.

* Make a special effort to avoid canned prepared foods like pastas

and soups. We have found that they tend to have higher levels of BPA.

* Simple precautions can minimize exposure to BPA and other

chemicals that leach from plastic containers and water bottles:

* Use glass or a BPA-free plastic baby bottles.

* Avoid polycarbonate containers (marked with a #7 or ‘PC’),

especially for children’s food and drinks.

* We recommend the use of glass over plastics, but when you have no

choice, plastics marked with a #1, 2, 4, and 5 don’t contain BPA and are

generally safer for food.

* Don’t microwave plastics or fill them with hot liquids.

* Wash plastics on the top shelf of the dishwasher, where the water

is cooler, or by hand.

* Avoid old, scratched water bottles.

* Use stainless water bottles without plastic linings.

 

What are PFCs and why should you avoid them?

PFCs, short for perfluorochemicals, belong to the family of chemicals that

includes Teflon and Scotchgard. They are used to coat carpets, clothes,

furniture, and food packaging, among other things. They persist in the

environment and the human body and have been associated with lower birth weight

for babies, cancer, infertility, elevated cholesterol and liver problems.

How do PFCs get into your food?

PFCs are used to coat food packaging, particularly those made for greasy

foods. Research has shown that the chemicals can leach into what’s inside –

your food.

Limit your exposure

* Avoid non-stick pans and kitchen utensils. When overheated, they

can release toxic particles and chemicals in gas form. Opt for stainless

steel or cast iron instead.

* Cut back on greasy packaged and fast foods. You might find PFC’s

in pizza boxes, fast foods wrappings, microwave popcorn bags, muffin and

pastry bags, butter boxes, and hash brown and French fry bags.

* Pop popcorn the old-fashioned way - on the stovetop or with an air

popper. You can also microwave popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag.

3. Limit your family’s exposure to growth hormones and antibiotics by

choosing organic meat and dairy products

Under federal law, antibiotics and growth hormones are prohibited in

organic meat and dairy products. We recommend organic dairy, meat and other

products from Organic Valley Family of Farms, a cooperative of more than 1,300

certified organic farmers in more than 30 states. We're also fans of

Stoneyfield Farm organic yogurt.

PAGE: Executive Summary

_Print full report._ (http://www.ewg.org/book/export/html/28163)

 

 

(http://www.ewg.org/book/export/html/28163)