By now I am sure you are aware of the dirty dozen and pink slime meat. What you may not be as familiar with are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and why exactly they are dangerous. “A genetically engineered food is a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered in a laboratory by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of genetic alteration is not found in nature and is experimental. The scientific term is “transgenics,” and is also often referred to as GMO, or Genetically Modified Organisms.”
GMOs have been creeping into our food supply since before the early 90s. They were engineered to help fight against insects and plants that destroy crops. But much like the drug resistant bugs that have developed thanks to the overuse of antibiotics these GMOs are no longer effective at keeping the bugs away. Now the powers involved want to push a new pesticide which includes ingredients of Agent Orange (yes that agent orange).
I am a firm believer in eating food the way God intended it to be, free of unnatural science experiments. There is a lot of research out there showing the benefits of sticking to organic food (or food as our ancestors called it) and natural living. Unfortunately, the effects of consuming GMOs were never tested. Now we are seeing some scary correlations between what is in our food supply and our health.
- 9 out of 10 cancers have environmental causes
- The US has the highest cancer rates in the world
- 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women will get cancer in the US.
- Obesity links
- 400% increase in allergies
- 300% increase in asthma
- 400% increase in ADHD
- 1,500% increase in autism (source: Healthy Child Healthy World)
Just think about it like this: genetically modified corn was created to poison the insects that eat corn crops. It is poison for insects but food for us. Or soy beans were genetically modified to be weed killers. Weed killers for plants but food for us. That sounds legit, pfft.
Unlike 50 other countries, including China, Britain, and Mexico who ban or restrict GMOs, we aren't even warned that the food we are buying contains them! It is outrageous to think, in the land of the free, we are not free to know what is in our food.
It is not just the food items themselves we need to watch out for, but the by products and products coming from animals. Eighty-eight percent of feed corn fed to farm animals is genetically modified. That means you are getting it into your system just by eating meat or drinking milk. Studies show that eating meat from animals fed a GMO diet increases your chances of becoming overweight. (read: Genetically Modified Food May Be Why You Are Fat.)
Top 10 GMOs to Avoid:
1. Corn (80-90%)
2. Soy (94%)
3. Sugar (95%, Cane sugar is safe)
4. Aspartame
5. Papayas
6. Canola
7. Cotton (oils)
8. Dairy (not to mention all the antibiotics in this one)
9. Zucchini
10. Yellow squash
That can be a lot to remember, especially when you are grocery shopping with your kids in tow! Technology to the rescue! For iPhone you can download NonGMO Project App, listing GMO free food. For android you can download True Food shopping guide.
Remember: There is no way of guaranteeing that what you are buying does not contain GMOs unless it is labeled. Organic food cannot contain GMOs but kosher and all natural foods can still have them. You may be thinking I can't eat anything and I have to live in a BPA free bubble my whole life! Well, you could if you wanted to but that wouldn't be much fun! The easier solution is to become educated about what is in your food. I promise you it might freak you out at first but in the long run it is one of the best things you can do for your family and yourself.
California is set to make history in the food industry in November. People, like you and me, who wanted their food labeled gathered 1 million signatures to get GMO labeling on the ballot. I am praying it passes in California, because it will snowball to the rest of the states. I believe we have a right to know what is in our food and that is why I am an official member for the Right To Know blogging team.
For more information on Proposition 37 and what you can do to help spread the word visit CA Right To Know.
Join us for a Twitter Chat about GMOs in our diet
Who: @CARighttoKnow & @LabelGMOs
When: Friday, August 10th
Time: 10-11pm EST/7-8pm PST
Hashtags: #Yeson37 #LabelGMOs
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