Welcome to parenthood, the phase when we only want the best for our children, right from their clothes to shoes, toys, and education, and most importantly health. Now as the saying goes, “Health is Wealth”, parents especially agree and abide by it and do everything within their capacity to keep their children’s growth and development smooth. This is where food plays an important role.

Right from the time when a child is born, parents understand that nothing is better than breast milk. As they grow, children move on to more solid foods, most of the time, following in the footsteps of whatever the parents consume. However, it is time for parents to rethink their food choices, for many would agree, these are not healthy for the child’s overall development especially during the early years.

Speaking of which, according to a poll by the Organic Trade Association, many parents have made the switch to organic foods, irrespective of the higher price, owing to the fact that these food items are healthier and of a higher quality. Of course, some parents might disagree with this, but organic foods do come with wholesome benefits that are great for children in the long run. To better understand how going organic can benefit a child’s overall development here are some key points that parents should know about.

Organic foods…

1.     Have lower chemical exposure

As it has been stressed upon time and again, organic foods have do not use chemicals likes pesticides because they are grown under natural conditions and with natural methods that do not harm the soil or our health. Additionally, even if pesticides are used, they are first approved and should be within the range of safety for the soil as well as people consuming it. Parents should also be concerned about the presence of additives in conventional products, which have been linked to behavioral challenges in those who are sensitive to them.

2.     Give higher nourishment

As children grow, more stress needs to be put on the food items they eat so that they can receive maximum nutrition that can assist in their overall wellbeing both physically, and mentally. Organic foods provide the aforementioned nourishment as they are more fibrous and filled with nutrients rather than artificial growth hormones and chemicals used in both plants and animals during a non-organic production.

3.     Tastes better

Believe it or not, organic foods have a more intense and richer taste than non-organic products. This is because of the presence of higher antioxidants as well as lower crop yields. Organic plants especially are richer and taste better because of the quantity of nitrogen and nutrients available due to lower crop yield. To back this, a study published in the  British Journal of Nutrition (BJN) states that organic products consist of about 18%-69% of higher concentrations of antioxidants. Additionally, the study also found that the presence of cadmium, a toxic metal contaminant, in organic products is about 50% lower than in conventional foods.

Going organic is a personal choice, but as parents, you have to make the decision for the betterment of your little ones. In a world where environmental problems are at its peak, one step towards being eco-friendly can make a huge difference. What is your choice going to be?