In the 1930s, the average American ate around 97 pounds of meat in one year (Daniel 575). Now, the average American consumes about 270 pounds of meat per year (Barclay). Not only has this increased by almost 200 percent, but it really is not safe to eat this much meat in general. Although the meat industry provides the comfort of All-Natural and Premium Ingredients used in their products, it does not cover up what is truly inside of the meat they sell. The meat, however, is not the only current food related problem in the U.S. Traditionally raised fruits, vegetables, and animal products may contain pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics that can be harmful or even terminal to the body. In recent years, organic and non-GMO foods have been introduced to the food product consumer in hopes to turn away from the regular products. These organic and non-GMO foods are just a way for some portions of the food industry to help guide the consumer back to the way the food industry used to be. Therefore, the non-GMO and organic foods must help boost your immune system and well-being. Unfortunately, even though most supermarkets make organic and non-GMO foods easily accessible, foods like these can be extremely expensive. It is usually up to three or four times as much as the fruits and vegetables in the regular produce isle. For a majority of people living in the U.S., this selection of food is too expensive for the average family to purchase and these kinds of foods may not
Over the last few years, awareness of organic food has risen. Due to this, the demand for organic food is a factor which is influencing the farmers to switch to use this technique, and it is being sold in specialty stores and conventional supermarkets. Organic products contain numerous marketing claims that it is healthier, it offers more value, and the farming is more environmentally friendly than traditional foods, so, how does one determine if organic is the way to go? Some argue that there is evidence that supports and demonstrates why organic foods and farming are better overall, while others insist that conventional foods and agriculture can offer the same benefits as going organic. There is no right or wrong answer. Within this
In order to establish eating the healthiest foods possible, any individual can shop for organic foods that have “organic” labels on them. Organically grown foods have an immense amount of pure nutrients and healthier ingredients than GMO food. This high-quality alternative accomodates a healthy and safe lifestyle. The ultimate gain of health is indulged by considering a wise decision such as consuming organic foods and products. Diverse organic produce generates health benefits that outweigh the price premiums associated with it. Due to countless usage of unadapted chemicals, crops are evidently damaged and captivated with extremely toxic pesticides and insecticides. Recently, GMO foods have severely
A wide variety of reliable and peer reviewed studies performed by other researchers were included in this evaluation, as well as several of these researchers’ own studies, providing a stronger basis for the results. These studies varied on what particular aspects of organic foods or health benefits were being observed (quality of meat, eczema, etc.) as well as the demographics observed (pregnant women, nonpregnant adults, children), an approach which offers a broad view of the topic. Out of all the qualities and benefits of organic foods observed in these studies, only less exposure to pesticide residue and antibiotic resistant bacteria were statistically significant. The quality of meats were not remarkably different; similar rates of contamination due to Salmonella and Campylobacter suggested similar quality. Furthermore, unfavorable aspects of organic food production were also mentioned by several of the studies included in the evaluation. These ranged from increased amount of E. coli in organic fertilizer and actual produce to risk of Campylobacter infection due to winter consumption of organic meat (Smith-Spangler et al, 2012). The results of these studies indicate that health benefits of organic foods are not remarkably significant, an implication that is imperative as
I am really concerned about our eating habits in America, and I am beginning to wonder if the meat industry is negatively affecting America 's health and well-being. During this course I have efficiently held that the meat industry is in high demand, because we have dramatically increased the amount of meat consumed over the last twenty years. My understanding of this topic is that animals such as cows and chickens are being mistreated; this due to them living in small compartments, and in unhealthy conditions. I also think that a lot of bacteria is being created out of the unsanitary conditions in which these animals are kept, This bacteria ends up in our food and is harmful to us. A reason why this topic became very appealing to me is because I grew up in a small town in Mexico. My family’s eating habits were very different from the ones here in the United States. We raised our own cattle and chickens and I now believe that we did so in a healthy environment for animals. We would also cultivate our own vegetables and fruits. I remember the meat having a different taste. The cattle and chickens were not as big as they are here, they didn’t grow as fast, and they surely didn’t reproduce as quickly as they do in farms here.
As Gliessman, an agricultural researcher, says in Agroecology, “conventional agriculture is built around two related goals: the maximization of production and the maximization of profit. In pursuit of these goals, a host of practices have been developed without regard for their unintended, long-term consequences” (3). The industrial food industry has created a process to produce as many crops as possible in the quickest amount of time to put onto the market. The several ways utilized to achieve these goals are those that are harmful to the consumer. Two main threats are genetic modification, and chemicals. These issues are a spark of concern in addressing the health of consumers. Food industries often try to tantalize their audience with the promise of untouched, pristine produce when in reality these foods are heavily tainted by pesticides or are genetically modifieds. “One will find this obliviousness represented in virgin purity in the advertisements of the food industry, in which food wears as much makeup as the actors. If one’s whole knowledge of food from these advertisements, one would not know that the various edibles were ever living creatures, or that they all come from the soil… “ (Berry 147). People are informed little about the pesticides that we often ingest from products like these and little do people know the negative effects of GMOs.
The last few years American’s have been the center of attention when it comes to an example of unhealthy living. In 2013 obesity became recognized as a disease in order to help aid the fight for a healthy future. Fingers are being pointed at every company and government branch possible on who is to blame for the current crisis. One thing people are able to agree on is that the food we are eating is the main cause of the health crisis in America. At the heart of this debate is the discussion on genetically modified organism, or GMO foods.
Consumers consider a product, as safe for utilization, if there are no proven long-term effects. As with GMOs, there has been no proven results, to justify them as unsafe, or unhealthy. A report was held, to examine the health from those in the United States and Canada, contrastly, with the health of residents in the United Kingdom, and Western Europe. In North America, there are no GMO regulations, and genetically engineered products are the majority of consumption. In the UK, and Europe, there are many strict legislatures on consuming genetically engineered foods. After the study, there was no difference in the health of those in North America, and those in the UK and Europe
The subsistence strategy of Industrialism has changed the entire landscape of the way Americans eat food. As a result of industrialism there is now a surplus of food. This has contributed to alarmingly high rates of obesity and with the “recent increases in food prices and food safety scares have resulted in popular discourse extolling the virtues of local food” (Janssen 2010). In an effort to not eat food ridden with toxins many consumers turn to locally grown food. Mainly their goal is not to eat food with “extensive herbicide and pesticide use by intensive conventional agriculture” (Andreatta 2000). This is because extensive amounts are dangerous when consumed. As there is increasing popularity in eating local and organic food, this results
When walking down the aisles of Giant or Safeway, what individuals usually look at are the amount of fat or the number of calories a product contains. Others just pick up whatever looks good for dinner that night. But what many of those individuals don’t look out for, or even know about, are Genetically Modified Organisms. Even if they wanted to, the products in grocery stores don’t contain the proper labels that make the consumer aware of what they’re actually consuming. Many people are still in the dark about what GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) are and our government does not do much to inform its people about these products and the companies that produce them. Genetically Modified organisms are animals or plants that have been inserted with genes that scientists have pulled from several different species and inserted into one to create a super animal or plant. The creation of genetically modified organisms was supposed to be the answer to human advances in agriculture and world hunger, but unfortunately it has more potential to harm our animals, our environment, and most importantly ourselves. The corporations that produce these products must be fully regulated and tested by the government to determine if safe enough to grow and consume. The companies creating this abnormal food only have money in mind, without thinking about the consequences. These super food maybe be seen as magic seeds to some, but the thing that is supposed to be
Although gang violence and the possession of firearms seem more detrimental to our society, the production of our food and how it is being genetically modified effects our well-being. Individuals know the health risk of food and the modification of it; however, the issue that revolves around this situation is that, people do not want to hear about what lies beneath the surface because they do not want to give up their addiction. Power and profit are the reasons why corporations treat living-beings as objects. American medicine revolves around treating people with illnesses, not preventing illnesses. The economic development and production of modern meat are responsible for outbreaks and the contamination of our livestock’s. The consumption of animal flesh is a prime contributor to today’s epidemic of heart disease, obesity and cancer.
In the United States consumers are inundated with every option imaginable for food. Among those options is the choice of organic or conventional food. Health experts will tout the virtues of organic food as being better for the consumer and preventing many diseases, however, there seems to be more to it than that. When speaking with friends, especially those living on a budget, the philosophy leans more towards the difference between fresh and processed food, and organic food is considered a luxury which few can afford. In an attempt to define the family health standards within the household, a transformation has taken place over the past four years. Where once a life filled with convenience food and college exams was reflected, now there is the attempt to ensure the most healthy food enters the home and this includes many organic options. Since the transformation has begun taking place, my family is healthier eating organic food than we were eating conventional food. Organic food keeps the family healthy because my children happily eat it, it tastes good, has more vitamins, does not contain pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics, and is almost always fresh. Every parent I have spoken with complains that it is hard to get their children to eat fresh fruits and veggies. In fact, most are even thankful if their child will eat canned corn or peas. I can't help but smile at this idea given that children are humans with an instinct toward the
In America, our everyday lives tend to revolve around our food choices. The average consumer veers towards the quick and easy food options. Without prior knowledge, an individual could be consuming contaminated meat products that were produced on a factory farm. Since the 1960’s, factory farming has accounted for over 99% of the meat sold in the United States (Zacharias, 2011). The move towards large, factory farms saves meat industry millions of dollars a day. These farms pose a huge risk to public health and environmental safety. Currently, four major companies produce 85% of all the beef in the United States (Bernice, 2014). It is important to examine how these companies are treating the animals we will ultimately consume. Knowing what these animals are fed, the conditions they are kept in and the effect that these factory farms have on the environment is essential for our health. But are there other options other than Big Ag corporations? Smaller, family owned farms might be the key to better nutrition and a smaller, ecofriendly footprint.
According to Huber, Rembialkowska, Srednicka, Vijver (2011), a large-scale study named PARSIFAL concluded: children, which consumed organic foods (regularly) showed lower allergenic rates as well as healthier body weights when compared to traditional or engineered foods (Huber, Rembialkowska, Srednicka, Vijver 2011). With further research, other positive results and decreased risks are discovered; specifically, a study produced by Princeton revealed that consuming organic foods lowered risks from chemical contamination, supplemental hormones, and antibiotic risks (“Greening Princeton”, n.d.). In contrast to consuming GMO produced foods, consuming organic foods are associated with a decreased risk of side effects and produced more benefits from consumption. These positive results help solidify the argument that these foods have very different health effects; additionally, it could be concluded that consuming organic plant-based foods is a safer, and healthier option over consuming engineered foods.
Eating healthier is a goal that most people have for their New Year’s Resolution. Rather it is to eat more salads or try to go to more organic or natural foods. People are trying to find ways to put better food into their bodies. Then to come to the big realization that it is expensive to eat healthier. Why pay seven dollars for a salad when they could go to McDonald’s and get two cheeseburgers for two dollars, or go to an organic smoothie shop and get an expensive organic smoothie that taste bad. While at the same time it cost twice as much as one from a fast food place. Eating organic food is way betters for you than anything you can get at McDonald’s or Burger King, just it’s way cheaper to feed four or five people at those places than going to a restaurant that serves nothing but organic foods.
Organic foods have better nutrients than gmos’ and are great for one’s health. Many people believe that gmo foods are great because it helps the environment and it’s cheaper to purchase than organic foods, but it does quite the opposite creates toxins and hurts the health of any individual. We are so used to consuming huge quantity of food without realizing how important quality the food really is. Meat, crops, fruits and vegetables are all food that are being modified.