Organic Diet Plans

The amount of processed food you see in the grocery store seems grow constantly, and the ingredient list appears longer, filled with additives, preservatives and fillers. To avoid harmful chemicals, synthetic pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics, many people choose to eat organically grown food and remove conventionally grown food from their diets. Consult your doctor before beginning any new diet.

National Organic Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program originated from the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The National Organic Program provides guidelines for farmers who want to sell organic agricultural products. The USDA polices these standards, so you can be certain food products containing the "Certified Organic" logo are truly organically grown.

Environmental Effect

According to the USDA, organic farming saves energy because less water and fuel are used; for example, fuel is not used to spread synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The absence of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which can damage the nutrients and vital microorganisms in the soil, keeps the soil rich in nutrients. Organic farmers accomplish soil preservation through crop rotation, nitrogen-fixating plants and using manure rather than synthetic fertilizers. Also, organic farming produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional farming, causes less water contamination and recycles waste.

Meat and Produce

Incorporating only organic food will remove all the synthetic pesticides and unnatural fertilizers from your produce, and drugs, growth hormones and antibiotics from your meat and poultry --- unlike eating conventionally grown food, which is produced under fewer restrictions than organic food. The organic beef you purchase has been grass-fed rather than corn-fed which prevents an excess of E. coli growth in the stomach of those cows, thus creating normal enzyme activity, which makes the beef easier for you to digest and use as energy. Also, organically raised cattle roam free while conventionally raised cattle live in feed lots, surrounded by other cattle.

Health Benefits

The benefits of organic farming stem from healthy soil, which affects the plants' and animals' health --- which thereafter affects your health. The USDA mandated in 2001 that organic poultry farming must provide poultry with access to outdoors. This increases exercise, normal reproduction, allows normal behaviors, which alleviate some stress, increases immune function and thus reduces risk of illness in the animals. Also, animals consuming an organic diet have stronger immune systems, lower rates of illness and less mortality. Because meat from these animals is healthier and free from added hormones and antibiotics, you receive the health benefits such as improved immune function by avoiding chemicals, drugs and hormones. Your liver also does not have the stress of detoxifying your system; reducing your stress level boosts your health and metabolism.

Nutrient Content

Organically grown food has higher levels of vitamin C and trace minerals like iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Also, antioxidant levels are higher in many organically grown vegetables and fruit, like blood red oranges. You can increase the quality of your food and the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients you consume by eating an organically based diet.