Hello to all and I hope you are having a good, happy day.
After reading and believing in Delirium's excellent post titled: "Diet For Sarcoidosis", I just wanted to put in my two cents about our food here in the USA.
Delirium has taken the time to share her knowledge with all of us.
I want to talk about the quality of what we consume.
If you haven't yet read Delirium's essay, please do, as it is an excellent commentary on a healthy approach to eating. She'll make you drop your Twinkies with her well researched and documented approach to food. This is the way we should all be eating, all the time, whether we have Sarcoidosis or not.
Most of the following info I obtained from a program on MSNBC. Most of the fruits and vegetables mentioned next maintain an unacceptable or higher level of pesticide residue (even after washing) than others.
They are: apples, nectarines, peaches, pears, strawberries, berries, cherries, grapes, raspberries, all bell peppers, celery, potatoes, spinach, lettuces, and tomatoes. Shocking, but becoming ever more believable to me after purchasing blueberries this summer that I swear I could taste pesticide on, after I had rinsed them in a sink full of water, twice.
We've been drinking 100% organic milk in our house for a long time, at my husband's insistence. I felt that this was a bit extravagant as milk is, after all, pasteurized.
Milk was mentioned as being one of the more tainted food products due to all the hormones and antibiotics, etc. that are given to all beef in general. I thought somehow that milk producing cows were exempt. I guess I was terribly wrong.
If you are still able to drink milk despite your sarcoid, Organic Valley is delicious. All of their dairy products are excellent, but prepare yourself to pay a good deal more than you pay for non organic. In fact all organic foods are 50 to 100% more than the regular foods.
Next, according to MSNBC, it is not necessary to buy organic bananas, mangos, or corn.
The following information is verbatim from MSNBC.
"What organic means:
Animals have not been treated with: antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal byproducts.
Animals must have been fed organic feed for at least a year.
Animals must have access to the outdoors.
Food hasn't been genetically modified or irradiated.
Fertilizer does not contain sewage sludge or synthetic ingredients.
Produce hasn't been contaminated with synthetic chemicals used as pesticides."
If you are going to introduce organic into your diet, make sure it is 100% organic. In my opinion the following claims have very little or no meaning:
"Made with Organic Ingredients"
"Free-range" or "Free-roaming"
"Natural" or "All natural"
Government standards seem to be VERY weak in these areas. Also, I don't see any point in spending extra money on a product marked 75% Organic. Yes, that term is also used.
If you are attempting to achieve a healthier life style by adding organic food to your diet, be prepared to spend more money but don't feel as though you must buy everything "Organic" or you're wasting your money. Start with one or two organic foods. Every little change adds healthier foods to your body.
Let's take poultry as an example. Organic chicken and turkey are all that we eat at home. My contention is that once you've tasted one of the above, you will notice that all the other non-organic, much advertised brands taste funny, and I'm understating my opinion.
I also try to purchase organic foods that will be eaten raw. In other words, as an example, I feel that a potato is a potato and as we all cook them till they are well done, I don't see the importance of purchasing them in organic. I could be wrong.
Here's a few more for all of you - broccoli & carrots. To me, you cannot believe the difference in taste of a head of fresh organic broccoli to a head of fresh non- organic broccoli. Eaten raw or cooked, to me, the organic wins for delicious flavor every time. Same is true for carrots, to me.
In closing, give it a try, one meat, vegetable, or fruit at a time, because it is expensive to eat healthy. It is expensive to eat organic. Do it for your health and because it tastes so much better.
Be Well... JanetG