Going green for your body
i Generation
By Alyssa Christianson

Recently there has been a huge boom in the popularity of dieting and exercising, especially among young people. We've heard of everything from Atkins to South Beach, pilates and yoga. There seems to be so many choices; how can you know what's best for you?

Lately in trying to stay healthy myself, I have found comfort in organic and locally grown foods. I think that this is the best way to start getting yourself into a healthier lifestyle.

Many people today look at "dieting" as meaning a complete overhaul of what you would normally eat. Contrary to this belief, organic foods are essentially the same as what you would normally take in, just more pure.

Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which can be dangerous to the human body, and generally shipped into grocery stores from a distance no greater than 100 miles, which keeps the food fresher when it arrives at the market.

You'll find when eating organic foods that the portions are much smaller. Your regular store-bought apple can be nearly twice the size of an organic apple. This is because organic fruits and veggies are not genetically mutated to grow larger as many regular fruits or vegetables would be.

Organic foods are not only found in the fruit and vegetable sector though. Organic meats are usually more expensive than common meats, but with the organic meat you are guaranteed a toxin-free, protein-filled meal.

Organic foods have been found to help detoxify the blood and generally cleanse the system of harmful toxins previously taken in. On average, a human will 10,000 different types of dangerous toxins from pesticides yearly according to the American Council on Health and Science.

Although no human diet can be completely free from chemical intake, as many occur naturally on the surface of fruits and vegetables, organic foods can save your body from the destructive force that many synthetic toxins bring, which ranges from general illness and malaise to cancer or blood poisoning.

There are many choices when looking to begin eating organic. First of all, you will find that the prices of organic foods do run a bit higher, due to the difficulty in mass producing foods without pesticides.

You'll want to focus in on

buying a few things organic

in the beginning. Some of the fruits and vegetables that are consistently the highest in pesticide residue are apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries, according to the magazine Good Housekeeping. You'll want to put these on your list of things to "go organic for" first if you plan on spending the money.

In addition, many people find themselves worrying about losing the taste of their favorite foods when switching to organic. Several recent studies have been conducted precisely on this and to date have found no inconsistencies between the taste of conventionally grown foods and organically grown foods.

So if you're concerned about what you're eating but you don't necessarily want to conform to a whole new diet, going organic may be a good idea for you to check out. You don't have to give up any of your favorite foods and you'll find the foods you eat to be much more fulfilling and your body will thank you for it.